Magnificence of Magh Purnima 2024

Magh Purnima will be celebrated on 24 February 2024. According to Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Lord Vishnu resides in the water on Ganges on this day. Hence, it is believed that even touching the holy water of Ganges on this day provides salvation. It is also believed that Lord Vishnu is most impressed when a person takes a bath in the holy rivers on this day. Even fasts, donations or charities don’t impress him as much.

Donations, charities and yagyas organized on this day are considered to be very important. Lord Vishnu is worshipped and food, clothes, jaggery, ghee, laddoo, fruits, cereals etc. are donated. On the day of Magh Purnima, a person should wake up early and take bath in a nearby river before sunrise. After this, a person should worship Lord Vishnu. Black sesame seeds are used in the Magh month to make offerings to dead ancestors. Donating sesame seeds is considered to be very important during this month.

Magh Purnima is also known as Maghi Purnima. It is believed that a person is freed from all kinds of sins and problems if he takes a bath in the Ganges on this day. It also provides peace of mind and purity. A person should chant "Om Namah Bhagvate Vasudevaya Namah" while taking a bath.

Magh Purnima Worship

Lord Satyanarayana’s katha is organized on the day of Magh Purnima. Banana leaves, panchamrit, supari, pan, sesame seeds, red thread, sindoor, kumkum, durva etc. are used to worship Lord Satyanarayana. Panchamrit includes milk, honey, bananas, ganges water, tulsi leaves and sweets. Flour is also fried and sugar is mixed with it. This is used as prasad. Lord Satyanarayana is worshipped after the katha. After this, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Mahadev and Lord Brahma’s aartis are sung. Prasad and Charnamrit are distributed among everyone.

Ganga Snan (Bath) on Magh Purnima

Taking a bath in Ganga river, donations and religious activities are considered to be very important in Magh month. Every day of this month is considered to be auspicious. According to Shastras, taking a bath in any river during this period is as auspicious as taking a bath in Ganga river. Taking a bath in Prayag is considered to be most auspicious in Magh month. Moreover, has made this priceless.

Fairs during Magh Purnima

Every year, a fair is organized in Prayag during Magh month. It is believed that residing in Prayag (Kalpvas) during this period is considered to be very auspicious. Devotees stay near Prayag till Maghi Purnima. A lot of devotees from all across India can be seen taking baths and performing religious activities during this period. Kalpvas extends upto the end of Magh month. On the day of Magh Purnima, devotees take a bath, make donations and perform yagnas etc. It is believed that Lord Vishnu blessed everyone who takes a bath in Ganga river on this day. Taking a bath in river Ganga on the day of Magh Purnima provides a person with success, peace of mind and salvation.