Sharad Purnima

The Sharad Purnima or Kojaagari Purnima is a harvest festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin (September-October). The rainy season is over and the brightness of the full moon brings special joy. This is a traditional celebration of the moon and is also called the Kaumudi celebration, Kaumudi meaning moonlight. At night, goddess Laxmi is worshipped and night vigil is observed. According to a folk-tale, once a king fell on evil days, and was in great financial straits, but then his queen observed this fast and night vigil, and worshipped the goddess of wealth, Laxmi. Consequently, they were blessed by the goddess and they regained their prosperity.

Some people believe that on this night Laxmi moves about from place to place asking, "Who is awake?" ("Kojagarti?") and shows her pleasure on those she finds awake. Hence, the night is spent in festivity and various games of amusement, in honour of the goddess. So people sit in the moonlight singing songs, or keep themselves entertained in some other way. They fast from solid food and take only fluids like coconut water or milk. Milk is boiled until it thickens, and milk masala (called kheer, a readymade combination of dry fruits) is added to it and drunk. There is also the tradition to have cool Milk & Rice flakes on this night. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated throughout the country, particularly by Maharashtrians i.e. by people residing in Maharashtra, India. The eldest child of the family is also honoured on this day.

In the western state of Gujarat, the night is known as Sharad Poonam. In Gujarat people celebrate it by doing Garba and Raas.

Currently, this full moon comes during Sharad ritu (season ) of the year and hence it is called Sharad Pornima or Sharad Poonam. (Purnima or Poonam = full moon).

There is an Ayurvedic reason behind eating cool Milk & Rice flakes on this night. Sharad ritu (season) consists of those two months season change when Summer is ending and Winter slowly starts. During Sharad time days are very hot and nights are becoming more cooler. This is perfect season for Pitta "prakop" when pitta vitiates along with other two doshas. Eating Milk & Rice flakes during night time is good remedy to pacify pitta. Hence, it is eaten as custom during this special night when the full moon looks best of all other full moons.This custom is a reminder to people to eat Milk & Rice flakes during Sharad ritu. In similar way there are other eating practices among Hindu Indians specially observed during that particular day to remind people to eat those stuff during that particular season.This is a prime festival for Bengali's also.After durga puja this is a festival celebrated almost every house in Bengal.

Kumar/Sharad Purnima in Orissa

"Time For The Festivity"Sharad Purnima is known as Kumar Purnima or Laxmi Puja in Orissa,an eastern state of India. Kumar Purnima is the full-moon day in the month of September- October. This autumn festival is one of the most popular and important festival of Orissa. 'Kumar' or 'Kartikeya', the handsome Son of Shiva was born on this day. He also became the 'God of war'. As young girls always wish for a handsome husband, they propitiate Kumar who was most handsome among the Gods. But, peculiarly enough there is no ritual for the God, instead the Sun and the Moon are worshipped. "Main Ritual"

In the early morning the girls after their purificatory bath wear new garments and make food-offerings to the Sun. They observe fasting for the day. In the evening when the moon rises they again make food offerings of a special variety and take it after the rituals are over. It is a festival of rejoicing for the girls. All of them sing and dance. The songs are of special nature. They also play a kind of game known as "Puchi". They also indulge in other varieties of country-games. "The Gajalaxmi Puja"

This day is also observed as the birthday of Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth. Therefore, many people worship the Goddess at their homes and keep themselves awake by playing Pasha (Chess), and other indoor games. Significantly it suggests that those who wish to acquire wealth should always be vigilant at night. It is for this reason the owl, a bird that sleeps in the day and comes out only at night.Goddess Laxmi is worshiped by devotees in different pendals in form deities across the state of Orissa. The pendals are decorated with beautiful decoratives.

References

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2007/10/23/sharad_purnima_feature.shtml BBC: Hindu full moon celebration in Tilehurst; Every year millions of Hindu couples come out at night to face the fullest and brightest moon to enhance their love. You're invited to a special Sharad Purnima The Sharad Purnima or Kojaagari Purnima is a harvest festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin (September-October). The rainy season is over and the brightness of the full moon brings special joy. This is a traditional celebration of the moon and is also called the Kaumudi celebration, Kaumudi meaning sharad mohite moonlight.celebration in Tilehurst on Friday 26 October.]
* [http://thehindimusic.com/india/sharad-poornima-purnima-glorious-festival-of-india/ The Autumn Harvest Festival (Utsav) Sharad Poornima (Purnima) is coming on Date: 25 october 2007, Let’s know something about it.]
* [http://www.swaminarayan.org/festivals/sharadpurnima/index.htm "Sharad Purnima": Also known as 'Kojaagari Punam,' the festival is celebrated on Aso sud 15 - Purnima. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth moves around in the night sky, asking `Ko jaagarti' searching for people below who are awake. In Sanskrit, `Ko jaagarti' means, ' Who is awake?' And to those who are awake she gifts wealth.]
* [http://www.indiayogi.com/content/full_moon_festival/ Full Moon Festivals]
* [http://www.whereincity.com/articles/traditions-and-customs/1948.html Traditions And Customs: Sharad Purnima]