The full moon day of Paush month is an important day in Hindu religion. The holy bath of Magh month begins with the full moon of Paush month. This day is considered auspicious in North India. On this day thousands of people take holy bath in the Ganges and Yamuna rivers.

On the full moon day of Paush month, thousands of people come to Haridwar and Prayagraj to take a holy bath in the river Ganges. Despite it being winter, people have to take a bath in the holy water of Maa Ganga. It is believed that by taking a bath in the Ganges on this day one gets rid of all sins and even attains ‘Moksha’. Haridwar and Prayagraj have other major pilgrimage sites like Nashik, Ujjain and Varanasi.

Important information

Paush Purnima 2022

Monday, 17 January 2022

Purnima Tithi starts : 17 January 2022 at 03:18 AM

Purnima Tithi ends : 18 January 2022 at 05:17 AM

On the day of Paush Purnima, holy bath at ‘Dashashwamedh Ghat’ in Varanasi, ‘Triveni Sangam’ in Prayag, ‘Har Ki Pauni’ in Haridwar and ‘Ram Ghat’ in Ujjain is considered highly auspicious and important. It is believed that the holy dip on the auspicious day of Paush Purnima liberates the soul from the constant cycle of birth and death.

If a person cannot go to these pilgrimage places, then he can take a bath on this day before sunrise with the water of a river, pond, well, etc. could. After this Lord Vasudeva is worshipped. After the worship is over, after feeding the Brahmins, they send them away by giving donations. Lord Vasudeva is pleased with this.

Worship

Lord ‘Satyanarayana’ fast is also observed on the day of Paush Purnima and Lord Vishnu is worshiped with full devotion. After fasting for the whole day, the story of ‘Satyanarayana’ should be recited. Special prasad is prepared to offer to the deity. Finally an ‘Aarti’ is performed after which the Prasad is distributed among all. On the day of Paush Purnima, special ‘Pushyabhishek Yatra’ is celebrated in the temples of Lord Krishna all over India. Lectures on Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita are also organized on this day.

Fruit of Worship

Donating on the day of Paush Purnima is also very auspicious. It is believed that donations made on this day easily bear fruit. Under ‘Anna Daan’ free food is served to the needy in temples and ashrams.

Taking a bath in the Ganges on this day gets rid of all sins and even attains ‘Moksha’. Shakambhari Jayanti is also celebrated during Paush Purnima. The followers of ISKCON and Vaishnava sect begin the Pushyabhishek Yatra on this day. The tribes living in rural areas of Chhattisgarh celebrate Charta Parv (Chhirta Parv) on Paush Purnima.

Paush Purnima Rituals

The first and the most significant ritual to be performed on the day of Paush Purnima is to wake up early and observe holy bath in a sacred river during sunrise. The religious practice of offering ‘Arghya’ to Lord Sun is performed as a part of the ritual.

After observing the holy dip, the observers are required to worship and offer prayers to ‘Shiva lingam’

Devotees worship Lord Vishnu and keep a ‘Satyanarayana fast’. They are required to recite the ‘Satyanarayana Katha’ and make sacred food which is offered to the deity.

To conclude the rituals, Aarti is performed and Prasad (sacred food) is distributed among the invitees.

Reading sessions for Bhagwad Gita and Ramayana is considered a significant ritual during this day.

Across India, ‘Pushya Abhishek Yatra’ is performed in various temples of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna.

People also perform several donations and charity work on this particular day of Paush Purnima where food, clothes, money and other essential things are provided to the needy people as a significant part of ‘Anna Daan’.

Paush Purnima Vrat Vidhi

On this day, people take an early morning holy bath on the banks of sacred rivers

After this, they observe a Paush Purnima Vrat by abstaining themselves from eating food and drinking water

Then they perform Vishnu Puja either in temples or at their homes/workplace.

Once the Vishnu Puja is completed, devotees recite Satyanarayan Katha.

They chant ‘Gayatri Mantra’ or the ‘Om Namo Narayana’ mantra for 108 times in a row.

The individuals then offer food and clothes to the needy.