Magha Purnima is the full moon day in the month of Magh of
the Hindu calendar, which falls in January-February every year. Magha is
considered to be one of the most sacred months of the Hindu calendar; and Magha
Purnima is one of the most important days of this month, and this year, it is
to fall on 10th of February 2017. You can make this day sacred,
pious and fruitful for you by performing the rituals associated with this day.
On this day, people are observed to take an early morning bath in the holy river of Ganga. People who do not have the opportunity of taking a bath in the River Ganga take bath in any other holy river, stream or pond that is accessible. If that isn’t possible too, then they pour a little Gangajal into ordinary water, and bathe with it. In fact, a number of bathing festivals are held on the banks of many holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Kaveri, Krishna and Tapti. People also take a dip in the sea at Kanyakumari and Rameshwaram. Bathing in the Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan is also considered highly religious on this day.
The legend behind this bath, according to Brahmavaivartpurana, is that Lord Vishnu
himself resides in the River Ganga during this month, and a dip in this holy
water helps you get rid of sins and attain salvation. After bathing, people
worship Lord Vishnu as the entire month of Magha is dedicated to Him. People
then distribute food, money and clothes among the poor and needy; and also
donate the same to Brahmins. It is believed that charities and donations made
on this day helps one get rid of multiple sins and gives fruitful bliss. Some
people observe fast on this day, and also offer tarpan to their ancestors. All of these rituals provide peace of
mind and purity; and Lord Vishnu blesses his devotees with contentment, peace,
happiness and wealth.
Lord Satyanarayana being an incarnation of Lord Vishnu,
people also perform the Satyanarayana Katha on this day. The Lord is offered
fruits, banana leaves, pan, til, supari, etc. Panchamrat is made with milk,
honey, sugar, tulsi, gangajal and banana. Wheat and sugar are mixed and roasted
to make a special prasad for the Puja. In fact, many temples organize
Satyanarayana Katha on this day. You may take part in organizing it, or at
least make it a point to attend this Katha. Or, to have a Satyanarayana Katha
in your home, you can book a MakeMyPuja
Pandit to help perform it in the most auspicious manner while completing all
the rituals correctly.
Another important festival is celebrated on this day in
Tamil Nadu, which is known as the ‘float festival’. Lavishly decorated idols and
images of Lord Sundeshwara and Meenakshi are mounted on floats, and are taken
to the Mariamman Teppakulam Sarovar, a large sacred tank in Madurai.
Make sure to take the benefits of this sacred day by
performing at least the bathing ritual, praying to Lord Vishnu, and making some
charity and donations, no matter where you may be on this day.
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