Jyeshta Purnima 2024

Rituals and rules that need to be followed during the Jyeshta Purnima are found in abundance in our ancient scriptures. It is believed that when one follows these rituals, all wishes of such a person get fulfilled and the person’s life fills with auspiciousness.

Jyestha Purnima fast in 2024

This year, the festival of Jyestha Purnima will be celebrated on 21 June 2024. As per scriptures, it is very beneficial to donate an urn filled with honey on this day. Doing this maintains love in a person’s life and brings in happiness.

• Full moon starts from 07:31 on June 21, 2023
• Full moon ends at 06:37 on June 22, 2023

Satyanarayana Katha on Jyestha Purnima

Satyanarayana Katha and Puja are done on Jyestha Purnima. Lord Narayana is worshiped on this day. In this Puja, Lord Vishnu too is worshiped as a form of truth. Traditionally a fast also has to be observed along with doing the Satyanarayan Katha and Puja. It is believed that all wishes of a person are fulfilled when all of this is done.

A Ghee lamp is lit in front of the Satyanarayana God in the morning or evening in Satyanarayan Katha and Vrat. Churma, made of flour and Tulsi Dal is offered. Bhog, fruits, flowers, etc are also offered to Satyanarayan Lord.

Jyestha Purnima Vat Savitri Vrat

On the day of Jyestha Purnima, Vat Savitri fast is observed and Vat Savitri Puja is done. This day becomes very auspicious when one performs the Vat Savitri Puja and observes fast for the same. Fasting and worshiping on this day ensures a long life for the husband and blesses one with children. Skanda Purana and Bhavishya Purana speak about the glory of Vat Savitri Puja and fasting which is done on Jyeshtha Purnima.

Vat tree Puja procedure - On this day, the Vat tree is worshiped. Women perform Parikrama around the tree. Worshiping the Vat tree on this Jyestha Purnima bestows the devotee with the blessings of Tridevi. In addition to married women, unmarried women can also worship it. In today's time, every woman whether in towns or in cities celebrates the Jyestha Purnima with a lot of enthusiasm. Worshipping the Vat tree, whenever it is found, is a ritual that is followed by women from ancient times.

Worshipping the Vat tree involves Parikrama of the tree either five or seven times. While doing the Parikrama a raw yarn-thread is wrapped around the tree. Sandalwood Tilak is done to the tree. Akshat, Roli, flowers, Shringar items, etc. are offered to the tree. Lamps are lit in front of the tree, various delicacies and water is also offered on this tree.

Jyestha Purnima and Satyavan-Savitri story

Savitri loved her husband dearly. She was also a very brave woman. She does not fear the Lord of Death Yamraj and confronts him too when her husband dies. According to the legend, Savitri was married to Satyavan. When Savitri comes to know that Satyavan will not live long from Devarishi Narada, she becomes very sad. She starts fasting and praying to God from the same day. She accompanies her husband Satyavan to cut wood on the date of death predicted by Narada.

When Satyavan climbs a tree to cut wood, his head starts paining and he falls down. Satyavan gets injured badly. The time of his death as predicted by Naradarishi arrives. Savitri sees Yamraj stand near her husband and walk away with Satyavan’s soul. Savitri also follows Yamraj. Yamraj tries to convince Savitri that her husband's life is short. She, however, remains adamant and decides to go with Yamraj. Her commitment and loyalty to her husband impresses Lord Yamraj. Yamraj tells her to ask for her husband as a boon.

However, Savitri asks for the lost vision of her in laws. Yamraj fulfills her wish. He then tells her to go home, but she refuses. Dharma raj Yamraj tells her she can ask for her husband again. But, yet again she asks for the kingdom that her in laws lost. Yamraj once again fulfills her wish. He once again tells her to go home.

Savitri then tells Yamraj that it is her duty to follow her husband. Yamraj says that she can get whatever she wants in exchange for her husband's life. Savitri then asks for the blessings of a son and Yamraj blesses her. Savitri then questions Yamraj how she can have a son without a husband. On Savitri's this comment, Yamraj gives up, and lets Savitri and Satyavan go home together. They live happily thereafter.

Importance of Jyestha Purnima

The most important work done during Jyestha Purnima is the worship of Shri Vishnu from Tulsidal. This brings progress and good health. Happiness and peace prevails in the family. Along with Tulsi Puja, planting a Tulsi plant in the temple is also considered auspicious.

Apart from chanting, penance, Havan, Snan and charity also have special significance during Jyestha Purnima. It is believed if a devotee carries out auspicious activities such as chanting, austerity, Havan, Snan, charity etc. with a pure mind, he/she obtains Akshayfal. On the day of Jyestha Purnima, one should wake up early in the morning and take a bath and worship Lord Vishnu. Performing a Snan on this day brings in the same fruits as that of carrying out Ashwamedha Yajna. Along with this, there is also a ritual to donate clay urns, water, fans etc.