Devotees Celebrate Sharad Purnima with Holy Dip in Ganga
Varanasi and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
On the occasion of Sharad Purnima, a significant number of devotees gathered at the ghats of Varanasi and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh to take a holy dip in the river Ganga. This sacred ritual took place early in the morning, with many people arriving to participate.
Significance of the Ritual
One devotee expressed, “This is the Sangam area, and I believe it is the purest place on earth. The significance of this place is immense, and bathing in the Ganga here is deeply spiritual.” It is believed that King Bali performed a yagna on this holy land, attracting lakhs of devotees to bathe in the Ganga.
Activities and Beliefs
A priest at the Prayagraj ghat shared that people travel from distant places to bathe in the Ganga and perform ‘Puja and Aarti’ in the evening. Many devotees also make donations on this day of great importance.
Sharad Purnima Festival
According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Sharad Purnima is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Ashvin (October-November). It is a harvest festival where Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, is worshipped, especially by the Bengali community. Hindu mythology suggests that nectar descends from the sky on this night, and those who take a holy bath in the Ganga and observe a fast are believed to attain prosperity in life.
Doubts Revealed
Sharad Purnima -: Sharad Purnima is a special festival in India that marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Ashwin, usually in October. People believe that on this night, the moon showers its blessings and nectar on Earth.
Holy Dip -: A holy dip is when people bathe in a sacred river or water body as part of a religious ritual. In India, rivers like the Ganga are considered very holy, and bathing in them is believed to cleanse one’s sins and bring blessings.
Ganga -: The Ganga, also known as the Ganges, is a major river in India that is considered very sacred in Hinduism. Many people believe that bathing in the Ganga can purify them and bring them closer to God.
Varanasi -: Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and is considered a holy city in Hinduism, where many people go to perform religious rituals.
Prayagraj -: Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is famous for the confluence of three rivers: the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, and is a significant place for Hindu pilgrimages.
King Bali -: King Bali is a character from Hindu mythology. He was a generous and powerful king who is often associated with the festival of Onam in Kerala. In some stories, he is known for performing great sacrifices or yagnas.
Yagna -: A yagna is a ritual of offerings accompanied by chanting of Vedic mantras. It is performed to please the gods and seek their blessings. It often involves a sacred fire where offerings are made.
Goddess Lakshmi -: Goddess Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. She is often worshipped during festivals like Diwali and Sharad Purnima for blessings of wealth and happiness.
Nectar -: In Hindu mythology, nectar is a divine liquid that is believed to grant immortality and prosperity. On Sharad Purnima, it is said that the moon showers this nectar on Earth, bringing blessings to those who observe the rituals.