The full moon day of Paush Mah is celebrated as "Paush Purnima". The full moon of Paush month is considered very auspicious according to the Hindu calendar. On this full moon day, Lord Vishnu is worshiped. Satyanarayana Katha is read. It is believed that the full moon day of Paush month leads to salvation. Donation and charity done on this day are special for those who wish the best. Ganga Snan done on this day blesses one with good Karma. Suffering is destroyed. Sun and Moon should be worshiped on this date. Puja done on this day leads to the fulfilment of wishes and the removal of obstacles in life.

Paush Purnima Puja Muhurat

• Purnima Tithi Start – January 24, 2024 at 09:49 PM
• Purnima Tithi ends - January 25, 2024 at 11:23 PM

Paush Purnima Rituals

Satyanarayana Katha is recited on the occasion of Paush Purnima.Banana leaves, fruits, Panchamrit, betel nut, paan, sesame, Moli, Roli, Kumkum, Durva are used in Lord Vishnu’s Puja
Panchamrit is prepared by mixing milk, honey, banana, Gangajal, Tulsi leaf, dry fruits for Satyanarayana Puja.

On this day, the dough is prepared and sugar is added. This dough is used to make Churma Prasad.Once Sathya-Narayana Katha recitation ends Lord Vishnu is worshipped. This is followed by the Aarti of Goddess Lakshmi, Mahadev and Brahma Ji. Finally, Prasad along with Charanamrit is distributed.

Paush Poornima Katha

The story of Paush Purnima is as follows - In ancient times there was a city called Katika. The king of that city was Chandras. That city was prosperous. There used to be a Brahmin named Dhaneshwar in that city. Both the Brahmin and his wife were very religious. They were leading a happy life. They were however sad about one thing, they did not have children.

Once a great Yogi visits the city. The Yogi survives and fulfills his basic needs by taking alms from each house of the village. The Yogi however does not ask for anything from the Brahmin couple. When the Brahmin couple questions the Yogi, the Yogi says that there is no greater pain in life equivalent to not having children. We Yogis do not take anything from a couple that is devoid of children. It would be a sinful act if we were to ask alms from a childless couple.

When the Brahmin hears this, he expresses his desire for children and seeks the Yogi’s blessings for the same. The Yogi asks the Brahmin to worship Goddess Chandi. The Brahmin tells his wife everything and then leaves for the forest for penance. On the sixteenth day of penance, Goddess Chandi appears in his dreams. She blesses him with a child but also says that the child will live only for sixteen years.

The Brahmin prays to the Goddess for the long life of her son. The Goddess tells him if both of you, husband and wife observe thirty-two Purnamasiyo fasts, then the child will have a long life.

So Dhaneshwar and his wife fasted for thirty-two Paush Purnimas. As a result they were blessed with a beautiful child with longevity. To date when a couple observes this fast, they are blessed with happiness and children. When women do this fast specifically, they are blessed with the long life of their spouse.

Importance of Snan Daan on Paush Purnima

Taking a bath in the Ganga-Yamuna for a month from the auspicious day of Paush Purnima is very important. On Paush Purnima, the air is filled with devotional sentiments. Devotees visit rivers and ponds early in the morning for Snan. The devotees offer Arghya to the Sun God while bathing and complete various religious ceremonies. On this auspicious occasion, Shivling is offered water and meditation is done. Religious events are held in temples and other places. Ramayana, Bhagwat discourses, stories and Satsangs are organized.

On the holy festival of Paush Purnima, devotees primarily take a bath in holy rivers including the Ganges, Haridwar etc. Devotees observe this ritual with complete devotion and believe that their sins will be washed away. Snan has great significance on Paush Purnima. Donations made on this occasion too are very effective. The Magh Snan starts with Paush Purnima. It is considered to be a very holy occasion, which removes all the crisis and fulfills the wishes of a devotee.

Importance of Paush Purnima

The fast of Paush Purnima blesses the devotee with children and grandchildren. It also fulfills all the desires of the devotee, especially when one fasts for thirty-two full moon days. Lord Shiva ensures the same. Paush Purnima is known by several names across India and is also celebrated differently in various parts of India.

Villagers celebrate the day of Paush Purnima by the name Chherata. At this time, everyone cooks many dishes in their homes. A dish of rice made of jaggery and sesame is offered as Bhog to God. It is offered to everyone in Prasad form. Shakambhari Jayanti is also celebrated on Paush Purnima. On this day, Shakambhari, an incarnation of Durga, is worshiped. This incarnation of Durga is responsible for restarting life on earth.