Sharad Purnima during Chandra Grahan | Sharad Purnima during Lunar Eclipse

Chandra Grahan on Sharad Purnima

Sharad Purnima is considered very significant festival in Hindu religion. On this day, special worship of Chandra Dev is done. On the occasion of Sharad Purnima, there is a tradition of making Kheer with cow milk and rice and keeping it in moonlight for the whole night. So that the medicinal and divine properties of the moon get absorbed in that Kheer.

In some years, the Lunar Eclipse and Sharad Purnima fall on the same day. In Lunar Eclipse, Sutak starts from noon itself. According to Vedic scriptures, both cooking and eating food are prohibited during Sutak. Due to which many kinds of doubts arise in the people's minds, such as whether to make Kheer during the Eclipse or not or will the Kheer get contaminated by the effect of the Eclipse. According to religious scholars, Kheer should neither be made during Sutak, nor should it be kept in moonlight.

According to religion, before the Sutak starts, Kusha Grass should be put in cow's milk and kept at a place where the moonlight affected by Eclipse cannot contaminate it. When the Eclipse is over, one should make the Kheer after taking bath and leave the Kheer in the moonlight for the time remaining in the night. After moonset, distribute that Kheer as Prasad among family and loved ones and also consume it yourself.

In this way, you can celebrate the festival of Sharad Purnima traditionally while avoiding the negative effects of the Eclipse and can also take advantage of the Kheer with divine properties.

Sharad Purnima is also celebrated as Kojagara Puja. The Kojagara Puja and fast is observed to please Goddess Lakshmi. In this fast, there is a ritual of drinking coconut water and playing Chausar. In Hindu religion, from the time Sutak begins till the Eclipse ends, any kind of God worship is prohibited and during this period temples also remain closed. Therefore, during this time one should neither worship Goddess Lakshmi nor drink coconut water or play Chausar. Lakshmi Puja and related rituals should be performed during the rest of the night after Eclipse.

In some rare years, it is also possible that the Eclipse lasts till moonset. If this happens then the entire Sharad Purnima and Kojagara Puja should be considered broken.