Sharad Purnima is a day observed significantly by the Hindu community. On this day, the moon is said to come out with 16 qualities, needless to say it is a beautiful sight. According to Hindu belief, each of these qualities is associated with a certain human quality. All of these together, form a perfect human personality. On Sharad Purnima, the moon is worshipped along with Maa Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. This year Sharad Purnima will be observed on October 23-24. Let us tell you the history, importance and auspicious tithi timings to observe on Sharad Purnima 2018. Sharad Purnima Wishes & Kojagiri Purnima Moon HD Images: Best WhatsApp Messages in Hindi and GIF Photos to Wish Happy Sharad Poornima.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was born with all 16 Kalas and he was the complete incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama was born with only 12 Kalas. On this day, the rays have certain healing properties which nourish the body and the soul. It is also believed that the moon rays on the day of Sharad Purnima drip nectar.

According to another legend, it is believed that on the day of Sharad Purnima Lord Krishna performed Maha-Raas, the dance of divine love. On Sharad Purnima night, upon hearing the divine music of Krishna’s flute, Gopis of Vrindavan sneaked away from their homes to the forest to dance with Krishna throughout the night. It is also believed that Lord Krishna supernaturally stretched the night to the length of one night of Lord Brahma which was equivalent of billions of human years. Hence, in Brij, Sharad Purnima is also known as Raas Purnima.

Sharad Purnima Timings

Moonrise on Sharad Purnima Day – 05:33 pm

Purnima Tithi Begins – 10:36 pm (October 23, 2018)

Purnima Tithi Ends – 10:14 (October 24, 2018)

The famous dish prepared on Sharad Purnima is rice kheer, a popular Indian dessert made with milk, rice and sugar. The kheer is left in the moonlight for the whole night. In the morning, rice-kheer which is believed to be invigorated and fortified with the moonlight is consumed and distributed as prasad to family members. Married women also fast on Sharad Purnima and the fast is called ‘Kamuti Vrat’. It is believed that by vowing to fast on Sharad Purnima all the desires are fulfilled. The bright moon and clear sky on Sharad Purnima are a symbol of the complete departure of the monsoon.

Sharad Purnima is also known as ‘Kojagari Purnima’. Goddess Lakshmi, known as Goddess of wealth is also worshipped on Sharad Purnima. It is believed that on this day, Lakshmi walks in the sky during the night and says ‘Jagrati’. In Sanskrit, Jagriti means ‘who is awake?’ It is said that Goddess Lakshmi presents the devotee with gifts who is awake during Sharad Purnima.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 24, 2018 10:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).