Chaitra Purnima 2024 Dates

Chaitra Purnima, also known as the 'full moon day of Chaitra', is one of the most auspicious days in Hinduism. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and is celebrated with great fervour and devotion across India. The festival falls on the full moon day in the month of Chaitra, which usually falls in March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. On this day, devotees observe a fast and perform various rituals to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about Chaitra Purnima 2024, including its date and time, significance, Puja Vidhi, Vrat Katha, do's and don'ts, and more.

 

Significance and importance of Chaitra Purnima Vrat

Chaitra Purnima is one of the most significant festivals celebrated by Hindus across the world. This auspicious day falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Chaitra, which usually falls in March or April. The festival holds great importance as it marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and is considered to be an extremely auspicious day for new beginnings. The Chaitra Purnima vrat is observed by many Hindus who fast throughout the day and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that observing this vrat can bring prosperity, good health, and happiness into one's life. The significance of this festival lies in its ability to purify one's mind and soul, paving the way for a fresh start in life. Apart from being a religious festival, Chaitra Purnima also has cultural significance as it marks the onset of springtime. People celebrate this day by playing with colours, singing songs, and dancing to traditional folk music. Overall, Chaitra Purnima is a beautiful blend of spirituality and culture that brings people together in celebration and joy. 

Purnima 2024 Dates

Day	Date	Purnima Name
Thursday	25-Jan-24	Paush Purnima
Saturday	24-Feb-24	Magh Purnima
Monday	25-Mar-24	Falgun Purnima
Tuesday	23-Apr-24	Chaitra Purnima
Thursday	23-May-24	Vaishakh Purnima
Saturday	22-Jun-24	Jyeshtha Purnima
Sunday	21-Jul-24	Ashadha Purnima
Monday	19-Aug-24	Shravan Purnima
Wednesday	18-Sep-24	Bhadrapada Purnima
Thursday	17-Oct-24	Ashwin Purnima
Friday	15-Nov-24	Kartik Purnima
Sunday	15-Dec-24	Margashirsha Purnima

Chaitra Purnima: Hanuman Janamotsava

Chaitra Purnima is a significant Hindu festival that is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Chaitra. This day holds immense importance in the Hindu calendar as it marks the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman, who is considered to be one of the most revered deities in Hindu mythology.

Lord Hanuman, also known as Bajrangbali or Anjaneya, is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva and is considered to be the epitome of strength, courage, devotion, and loyalty. He is worshipped by millions of devotees across the world, and his birth anniversary, known as Hanuman Jayanti or Hanuman Janamotsava, is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm.

On the day of Chaitra Purnima, devotees wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath in the sacred rivers or water bodies to purify themselves. They then visit Hanuman temples and offer prayers to the deity by reciting Hanuman Chalisa, which is a devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Many people also observe fast on this day and offer special puja and bhog to the deity.

The celebration of Hanuman Jayanti is especially grand in North India, where processions are taken out with idols of Lord Hanuman, and people chant hymns and devotional songs in his honour. The festival usually falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which typically falls in March or April.

Importance of Satya Narayan Katha Puja on Chaitra Purnima

Satya Narayan Katha Puja is a Hindu ritual that is performed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu, who is considered to be the preserver of the universe. The puja is performed on various auspicious occasions and festivals, and one of the most important ones is Chaitra Purnima.

Chaitra Purnima is the full moon day that falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra, which usually falls in March or April. It is a significant day in the Hindu calendar as it marks the beginning of the New Year according to the lunar calendar. It is also believed to be the day when Lord Vishnu incarnated as Matsya, the fish avatar.

Performing the Satya Narayan Katha Puja on Chaitra Purnima is considered to be very auspicious as it is believed to bring prosperity, happiness, and peace in the life of the devotees. The puja is performed by reciting the Satya Narayan Katha, which is a sacred story that narrates the importance of truth and honesty in one's life. It is believed that by listening to this story, one can overcome all the obstacles and difficulties in life.

Apart from this, the puja is also performed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu, who is considered to be the protector of the universe. It is believed that by performing the puja with devotion and sincerity, one can receive the blessings of Lord Vishnu and attain spiritual and material prosperity in life. The puja is also said to bring peace and harmony in the family and the community.

The puja is performed to celebrate the victory of good over evil, as Lord Vishnu is believed to have defeated the demon king Hiranyakashipu on this day. This story serves as a reminder that no matter how powerful evil may   seem, it can always be defeated with the help of good.

Chandra Puja on Chaitra Purnima 

On this day, people observe the Chandrima Puja, which is a worship of the moon. The moon is an important celestial body in Hindu mythology and is considered a symbol of purity, tranquillity, and beauty. The chandrama Puja is performed to seek blessings from the moon and to thank it for its influence on life on earth.

The Chandrama Puja is usually performed in the evening after the full moon rises. People decorate their homes with flowers and light lamps and candles to create a serene atmosphere. They also prepare special offerings for the moon, which usually include milk, curd, honey, and rice.

The worship begins with a prayer to Lord Shiva, who is considered the deity of the moon. The priest then invokes the blessings of the moon and performs the rituals, which include the pouring of the offerings on a silver plate or a silver idol of the moon. People then offer prayers to the moon and seek its blessings for prosperity, peace, and happiness.

After the worship is over, people distribute the prasad among family and friends. The prasad usually consists of sweets, fruits, and other offerings that have been blessed by the moon.

The Chandrima Puja is a symbol of the deep reverence that Hindus have for nature and the celestial bodies that influence life on earth. It is a reminder that we should always be grateful for the blessings that nature bestows on us and should strive to live in harmony with it.

Chaitra Purnima: Importance of Vaishakh Snan

One of the most important traditions associated with Chaitra Purnima is the Vaishakh Snan, or the holy bath in the river Ganges. The Vaishakh Snan is considered extremely auspicious and is believed to have a purifying effect on the body and soul. It is said that taking a bath in the Ganges on this day can wash away all sins and bring spiritual enlightenment.

The significance of the Vaishakh Snan can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts, which describe the Ganges as a sacred river that has the power to cleanse the soul of all impurities. According to these texts, taking a dip in the Ganges on Chaitra Purnima is equivalent to performing thousands of yagnas (fire sacrifices) and can bring about a radical transformation in one's life.

People from all walks of life make their way to the banks of the Ganges on Chaitra Purnima to take a holy dip and seek blessings from the river goddess. They believe that the water of the Ganges on this day is especially blessed and has the power to heal the body and mind.

In addition to the spiritual significance of the Vaishakh Snan, it also has a cultural and social significance. It is a time when people come together to celebrate the beauty and power of nature and to reaffirm their commitment to the values of purity, cleanliness, and harmony with the environment.

Importance of Deepdaan on Chaitra Purnima

Deepdaan is an ancient Hindu ritual that has been performed for centuries on Chaitra Purnima. It involves lighting lamps or Diya’s in the evening to bring light into the darkness and to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. The lamps are placed in and around the house, and are believed to ward off negative energy and bring peace and prosperity into the home.

The importance of Deepdaan on Chaitra Purnima lies in its spiritual significance. It is believed that the lighting of lamps on this day is a way to pay homage to the gods and goddesses, and to seek their blessings for prosperity and happiness. The lamps are also believed to represent the human soul, and the act of lighting them is seen as a way to awaken the divine light within.

Raas on Chaitra Purnima

Maharaas is a traditional dance form that is performed on the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Purnima in the Hindu month of Chaitra. It is a dance that is performed in praise of Lord Krishna, and is considered one of the most important traditions associated with this festival.

According to Hindu mythology, Maharaas is a divine dance that was performed by Lord Krishna with his beloved Gopis (cowherd girls) in the forests of Vrindavan on the night of Chaitra Purnima. The dance is said to have been a celebration of love, devotion, and harmony, and is considered one of the most significant events in the life of Lord Krishna.

Maharaas is a circular dance that is performed by a group of men and women holding hands and moving in a graceful and synchronized manner. The dancers wear traditional Indian attire, with women wearing colourful saris and men wearing dhotis and kurtas. The dance is accompanied by devotional music, including bhajans and kirtans, which create a spiritual and uplifting atmosphere.

The significance of Maharaas on Chaitra Purnima lies in its deep spiritual and cultural roots. The dance is a celebration of the love and devotion that Lord Krishna inspires, and is a reminder of the importance of harmony, peace, and goodwill in our lives. It is a time to reflect on the teachings of Lord Krishna, and to strive to cultivate the qualities of love, compassion, and selflessness in our own lives.

Maharaas is also a time for social and cultural celebration, with people coming together to enjoy the music, dance, and festivities. It is a time to strengthen community bonds, and to celebrate the beauty and diversity of Indian culture.

Chaitra Purnima Puja Vidhi

On the day of Chaitra Purnima, devotees perform various rituals and puja to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu. The puja Vidhi for this auspicious day involves taking a bath early in the morning and wearing clean clothes. After that, one should offer prayers to Lord Vishnu by lighting a Diya or lamp and placing it in front of his idol. Next, devotees offer flowers, fruits, sweets, and other items as per their capacity to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that offering Tulsi leaves during the puja brings good luck and prosperity. After offering prayers to Lord Vishnu, devotees also perform aarti and sing bhajans in his praise. Apart from this, some people also observe fast on Chaitra Purnima to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu. They refrain from consuming food or water until the puja is completed. This fast is believed to bring peace and happiness in one's life. Overall, performing the Chaitra Purnima puja with devotion and sincerity can bring immense benefits and blessings in one's life.

Chaitra Purnima Vrat katha

Chaitra Purnima is a significant day in the Hindu Panchang, and it is believed that observing a fast on this day can bring immense benefits. The story behind this vrat or fast dates back to ancient times when Lord Vishnu took the form of a fish to save the world from destruction. It is said that on this day, Lord Vishnu appeared as Mistaya Avatar and saved the Vedas from being destroyed during the great deluge. According to Hindu mythology, King Satyavrat was performing penance on the banks of River Ganga when he saw a tiny fish struggling for survival. He took pity on it and decided to take care of it until it grew bigger. However, every time the fish grew bigger, he had to transfer it into a larger vessel until finally, he had no more containers left. At that point, the fish revealed its true identity as Lord Vishnu and asked King Satyavrat to prepare for an impending flood that would destroy everything in its path. The king followed his instructions and built an ark that saved him and all other living beings from drowning. Observing a fast on Chaitra Purnima is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity into one's life. It is said that by observing this vrat with devotion and sincerity, one can attain salvation and be blessed with happiness, peace, and prosperity in their lives.

Dos and Don’ts

Firstly, it is important to wake up early in the morning and take a bath before starting any rituals. It is believed that taking a bath purifies the body and soul.

During the day, it is recommended to avoid consuming non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and tobacco as they are considered impure. Instead, one should consume sattvic food like fruits, vegetables, and milk products.

It is also advised to fast on this day as it helps in purifying the mind and body. In addition to these practices, one should also perform acts of charity by donating clothes or food to the needy. This will help in accumulating good karma and blessings from the divine.

On this day, it is important to stay away from negative thoughts and actions. One should focus on positive thinking and spreading love and kindness towards others. By following these do's and don'ts on Chaitra Purnima, one can attain spiritual growth and inner peace.

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