Shravan Purnima 2024: Know what is the puja vidhi, how to celebrate

Shravan Purnima, also known as Raksha Bandhan, is an important Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day of Shravan month (July-August). This auspicious occasion is very important from the cultural and religious point of view, as it marks the beginning of the holy Shravan month and the celebration of the eternal bond between brother and sister.

Table of Contents

1. Date and Shubh Muhurat of Shravan Purnima
2. Significance of Shravan Purnima
3. Rituals and Puja Vidhi
4. How to celebrate Shravan Purnima?

Date and Shubh Muhurat of Shravan Purnima

Shravan Purnima in 2024 will be celebrated on August 19, starting at 03:07 am and ending at 11:57 pm. The day is extremely auspicious for various rituals, including Raksha Bandhan, which celebrates the bond between brother and sister. Devotees often take a holy bath, worship Lord Shiva and do charity. Rituals also include tying a rakhi and praying for protection and blessings. It is advisable to perform these activities during the auspicious time to maximise spiritual benefits.

Significance of Shravan Purnima

Shravan Purnima is celebrated for several reasons:
1. It marks the beginning of the holy month of Shravan dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva.
2. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on this day, which symbolises the love and protection between brother and sister.
3. It is considered an auspicious day to perform religious rituals, such as Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) and Yajnopavita.
4. Taking a holy bath in rivers like the Ganges and offering water to Lord Shiva is considered highly sacred.

Rituals and Puja Vidhi

1. The rituals and puja vidhi of Shravan Purnima vary from region to region, but some common practices are as follows:
2. Worship Lord Shiva by taking a bath in the morning, offering water, flowers and incense.
3. Performing the ritual of Raksha Bandhan, where sisters tie a sacred thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists, symbolising their love and the brother's promise to protect his sister.
4. Worshipping and praying to Lord Shiva, seeking his blessings and protection.
5. Giving donations to the needy and performing charitable acts.

How to Celebrate Shravan Purnima

1. Take a holy bath in the morning and wear clean, preferably yellow, clothes.
2. Worship Lord Shiva by offering water, flowers, incense and other offerings.
3. Participate in the Raksha Bandhan ritual by tying a rakhi on your brother's wrist or having your brother tie a rakhi on your wrist.
4. Spend quality time with your family, exchange gifts and enjoy traditional sweets and delicacies.
5. Perform acts of charity and kindness to spread the spirit of the festival. Shravan Purnima is a time to celebrate love, brotherhood and spiritual renewal.
6. By participating in rituals and embracing the essence of the festival, we can strengthen our family bond and receive God's blessings.

Other festivals celebrated on Shravan Purnima day

Avani Avittam

Avani Avittam, also known as Udayakam, is an important ritual observed by the Brahmin community in South Indian states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It falls on Shravan Purnima (full moon day) as per the traditional Hindu calendar, which is also the day of Raksha Bandhan in North India. The main rituals performed during Avani Avittam in South India include:
Taking a holy bath in the morning and wearing a new sacred thread called 'Janeu' or 'Yagnopaveeta'.
Sandhyavandana (prayers), Samidha Dana (only for brahmacharis), Kamokrishta Japam, Madhyahnikam, Brahmayagnam, Mahasankalpam (a sacred vow to compensate for past sins).
Chanting sacred mantras and offering water to ancient sages and ancestors
Discarding the old sacred thread to signify new beginnings.
Reciting Vedic hymns to confirm and retain knowledge.
Performing homa (fire rituals) while chanting mantras.
Avani Avittam holds great significance for Yajur, Sama and Rigvedic Brahmins. It marks a new beginning of learning the Vedas and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion.

Balrama Jayanti

Balrama Jayanti commemorates the birth of Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna, on the full moon day of Shravan. Known for his immense strength and connection to nature, Balarama is worshipped as an incarnation of the serpent god Ananta Shesha. Devotees seek mental and physical strength on this day with fasting, prayers and rituals. Temples are decorated and special offerings, including panchamrit, are offered, while bhajans and dances add to the festive spirit. The day symbolises the importance of family bonding and spiritual strength in overcoming life's challenges

.Narali Purnima

In Maharashtra, Shravani Purnima is also celebrated as Narali Purnima, especially by the fishermen's community. The festival marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the fishing season. Devotees offer coconuts to Varuna, the sea god, seeking blessings for a fruitful fishing season and protection from accidents. Rituals include decorating boats and preparing sweet coconut rice, which signifies gratitude and reverence. The festival promotes community spirit with singing and dancing, as families come together to celebrate the abundance of the sea and the importance of nature in their livelihood.