Sharad Purnima is a beautiful Full Moon Night. Well, we are all fascinated with the Milky Way and so the stars, the sun, and the moon. The fascinations begin while we read and go through our geography books and imagine as a child when can we see them in real or go up there.
In the early years, it was only through weather experts and people who could easily see the sky and tell which date which moon or sun or stars will be visible. As things got more advanced, we could see them with clear eyes on TV or in our immediate environment.
Only in newspaper or on door darshan people would know about it with a closer view. Slowly and steadily, people interested in Astronomy brought their own personal telescopes to have a closer view of the stars and the moon.
In villages even today, you can get such a surreal view of the sky, clear with stars and the moon. Well, you wake up in the middle of the night and you will get surprised and tried to see the number of stars without a telescope that you will get tired to count them.
Shootings stars and the bright moon light is an experience. In today’s modern cities and world with Smogs and pollutions around our skies it tough to get to see Stars or even the Moon at times.
In today’s schools and internet being so viral and savvy its easy for you to get to see everything in and around the sky on mobiles and laptops. But it’s not about the gadget experience but the real one that is much more a memory and the real-world joy and happiness.
Sharad Purnima – What is so special and which place can we go?
A Hindu harvest festival that is specially celebrated on a full moon night. It usually comes in September- October.
It’s the end of the rains and the start of Autumn. You will suddenly feel the cool breeze and coolness. The Moon you will see is quite different and so huge. The light brings in white, cool light on Earth, which makes it look so pretty. In Hinduism and astrology, they believe that it shines brightest on this day of the year, and it has all the 16 divine phases called the Kalas.
It also has the radiating nectar and Amrit. It has all the healing properties that are sent to the earth. On this day people pray to Goddess Lakshmi on the night and believe that she visits our home asking Kojagari -Who is awake? To bestow wealth and prosperity.
The Vaishnavas commemorate the night with Lord Krishna’s Raas Leela. The divine night is celebrated with a dance called the Maha Raas with Radha and the Gopis in Vrindavan. A special kheer is made and exposed to the moonlight and consumed as prasad the next morning.
People also stay awake the night, singing bhajans, chanting mantras, and doing prayers. The Kumara Purnima in Odisha and also in Gujarat, many traditions perform folk dances, music, and nighttime gatherings.
Travel to see the Moon on Sharad Purnima- Places to go!
Wow meaning travel to see the moon. How fascinating! Though the moon is same across the world but the place and excitement make it more valuable. Especially if its on a special day and night. These places make the experience all the more special as it has sacred mythological aspects.
This is where Astronomy meets mythology. First let’s take you to Vrindavan and Mathura in UP which as beautiful moon blooming with people dressed beautifully doing Raas Purnima. Here not only the sky lit up with with Moon but temples and courtyards are decorated. People are awake the whole night and celebrate this joy. Music dance and Moonlight wow!
You will be amazed to see how the Moon beautifully is visible with the Divine temple of Shri Jagannath temple. It blooms directly behind the Neel Chakra of the temple. Then next is Haryana where you need to go to the Brahma Sarovar where a sacred water tank shows the reflection of the Moon and the atmosphere is cold and serene. How amazing can it be.
Next up Rajasthan especially you need to go to Udaipur where you should visit the Fairmont Udaipur palace. Its hosts a special open-air moonlight meets. You can also experience sound healing and enjoy amazing food and cultural music session. Last up is Varanasi where along the Ganges you can attend the Ganga Aarti with view of the river and moon.
But yes, if you’re unable to go to any such places then your terrace if the best place. Be it you live in any city, villages, near mountains or sea hit up your eyes up in the sky and see the wonderful light that falls up from the sky on earth. A true divine night of magic from the sky high up above.
Vrindavan and Mathura
Varanasi
