Chitra Pournami (festival)
| Chaitra Purnima | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Chitra Pournami |
| Observed by | HinduTamils,Malayalis |
| Type | Hindu |
| Significance | Full moon day of the Chaitra month |
| Celebrations | Veneration of Chitragupta and Murugan |
| Observances | Puja |
| Date | Purnima in Chaitra month |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Part of the series on |
| Kaumaram |
|---|
 |
Chaitra Purnima(Sanskrit:चैत्र पुर्णिमा,romanized:Caitra Purṇimā)[1]orChitra Pournamiis aHindufestival observed on thepurnima(full moon) day of theChaitramonth.[2][3]It is celebrated across various parts ofSouth Asiaobserved on the full moon day in the month of Chittirai, corresponding in theGregorian calendarto a day in April or May.
Legend
[edit]The tale of Chitra Purnima is centred onIndra,the kings of thedevas,and hisBrihaspati,based on the folklores ofThiruvilaiyadal Puranam.According to legend, Indra and Brihaspati once got into an argument over something Indra said to Brihaspati. Brihaspati, Indra'sguru,gave him instructions to make a pilgrimage to the earth in order to atone for his negative karma.
After accepting, Indra carried out his guru's wish. Indra discovered a shivaling while on the trip under thekadambatree. Later, he came to understand that it was Shiva who was aiding him in lessening his bad deeds. He soon began presenting lotus flowers to Shiva as an act of adoration. This legend is believed to have occurred atMaduraiby adherents. Devotees performpujasat theMeenakshi Templein Madurai to worship Shiva.[4]
Practices
[edit]In some parts ofIndia,The festival is dedicated toChitragupta,[5]a Hindu god who is believed to record humans' good and bad deeds forYama,the Hindu god of death and the underworld. On this day, devotees ask Chitragupta to give them good thoughts and deeds which will benefit all living beings.
On the festival day, many devotees gather around rivers or places where the moon is visible to have dinner with family and friends. It is believed by doing this they can get the blessings ofChandraand feel the happiness and bond with their loved ones. It is also believed by lighting up andeepamto Chandra alleviates negative states of mind. This is especially popular at the river Chitra in the district ofTirunelveliinTamil Nadu,India.
The observance is called Chitira Pournami inTamil NaduandKerala,especially by followers ofKaumaramandShaiva Siddhanta.Devotees observe fasting, worship Murugan, and break their fast the next morning. Adherents believe that moonlight dispels the darkness of one's soul. Murugan worship and the festivals of the deity start on this day every year.[6]
References
[edit]- ^Verma, Manish (2013).Fasts and Festivals of India.Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. p. 18.ISBN978-81-7182-076-4.
- ^Jacobsen, Knut A. (2008-03-03).South Asian Religions on Display: Religious Processions in South Asia and in the Diaspora.Routledge. p. 40.ISBN978-1-134-07459-4.
- ^Melton, J. Gordon (2011-09-13).Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations.ABC-CLIO. p. 170.ISBN978-1-59884-206-7.
- ^Chitra Pournami."Chitra Pornami - mypandit".
- ^Jones, Constance; Ryan, James D. (2006).Encyclopedia of Hinduism.Infobase Publishing. p. 311.ISBN978-0-8160-7564-5.
- ^"சித்ரா பெளர்ணமி 2022 சிறப்புக்களும், வழிபாடு முறை".Samayam Tamil(in Tamil).Retrieved2022-10-02.
