Taking a bath in Ganga or Yamuna is considered to be very important on Paush Purnima. Everyone is filled with devotion on this day. Devotees take a bath in a holy river early in the morning. Devotees pour water to the Sun while taking a bath. Water is also poured on Shivalinga on this day. People also meditate and organize various religious activities in temples and other religious places. Ramayana, kirtan, pravachan, satsang etc. are organized.

Other Celebration of Paush Purnima

Charta Festival

People residing in villages of Chhattisgarh celebrated Charta festival on the day of Paush Purnima. This is an important festival for people residing in these areas. They celebrate this festival with a lot of zeal and excitement. People cook a dish using chivda, sesame seeds and jaggery. Such a dish is distributed as prasad. Children living in these villages visit various homes in groups and sing songs. ‘Char Charta Kathi Ke Dhaan Har Larika’ is a famous song sung on this day. They ask for sweets and food. In the night, all villagers sing a song called Lokdi.

Shakambari Jayanti

Paush Purnima is also celebrated as Shakambari Jayanti. Devi Shakambari is considered to be Goddess Durga’s incarnation. According to a story related to Devi Shakambari, there was a draught on Earth and there was no rain for hundred years. People were terrified and faced a lot of problems. All animals and plant life started dying gradually. All the saints and sages worshipped Devi Bhagvati together. Devi Bhagvati was impressed and incarnated as Shakambari. She blessed the people of Earth with rain and life could go back to normal. This incarnation of Goddess Durga is worshipped as Devi Shakambari. This day is also celebrated as Shakambari Purnima or Shakambari Jayanti.

Paush Purnima Rituals

Lord Satyanarayana is worshipped on the day of Paush Purnima. Banana leaves, bananas, panchamrit, supari, pan, sesame seeds, red thread, sindoor, kumkum, durva etc. are used to worship Lord Satyanarayana. Panchamrit is prepared using milk, honey, bananas, ganges water and tulsi leaves. A prasad made of wheat and sugar is also used. Lord Satyanarayana is worshipped once Satyanarayana katha is over. Goddess Laxmi, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are also worshipped. Prasad is distributed among devotees.

Paush Purnima Importance

People take baths in holy rivers like Ganga on Paush Purnima. People take such baths in Haridwar and other similar places. They believe that they are freed of any sins by doing so. Taking a bath in a holy river on Paush Purnima is considered to be very important. Magh Snan (bath) begins with Paush Purnima. This is considered to be an auspicious occasion. It is believed that this festival fulfills all kinds of desires.