Importance of Shravana Purnima - Narali Purnima Festival

The Poornima in the month of Sawan is considered very auspicious and sacred in hindu religion. The rituals performed on the day of Shrawan have a special significance. The ‘Yagyopaweet’ and ‘Upnayan’ rituals are most significant among all the rituals. The sacred festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on this day.

Brahmins also perform the ‘Shudhikaran’ ritual on this day. The Sawan Poornima is considered very sacred and auspicious day. The day of Sawan Poornima is not only important from religious point of view but is also important for practical reasons. The month of Sawan is considered the month of worship of lord Shiva. The special worship of lord Shiva is done in the month of Sawan.

Lord Shiva pleases easily with this kind of worship and grants the wishes of his devotees. Poornima is the last day of this month. That is why, the benefit of whole month of devotion to lord Shiva is obtained by worshipping lord Shiva and by offering water to lord Shiva on this day

Kajari Purnima

The festival of Kajri Poornima is also celebrated on the day of Shravan Poornima. This festival is celebrated primarily in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. The preparations for this day begin from the ninth day of the Shravan Amavysya. On the day of Kajri Navami, women fill the pots made from the leaves of tree with soil and barley is sown into it.  After that, women carry these pots on their head and leave these pots into a nearest pot or river. Women sow Kajri after the worship of this Navami. They sing songs and narrate the story of this fast. Women observe this fast for the longevity and prosperity of their sons.

Shrawan Poornima is also known as Naryali Poornima and Avani Avittam in southern India, Kajri Poornima in the mid parts of India, Raksha Bandhan in northen India and Pavittropana in Gujarat.

Rakshabandhan

The festival of Rakshabandhan is also celebrated on the Poornima of month of Sawan. It is also known as Sawani or Saloono. Rakshabandhan is a festival of Rakhi or Raksha thread. Normally, sisters tie Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers. They tie Rakhi and perform their Aarti. Brothers give the word of protection to their sisters in return and also give them some gifts.

Apart from this, Rakhi is also tied by Brahmins, Gurus and young girls in the family to some of the relatives and to their fathers. The Yajurvedi Dwij do their activities on this day. The new sacred thread is worn after daily ablutions and Tarpan. The learned Brahmins give sacred thread and Rakhi to their Yajmanas.

End of Amarnath Yatra on Sawana Purnima

According to Puranas, the sacred Amarnath Chadi Yatra starts on Guru Poornima and it ends on Shravan Poornima. Water is offered on Shivlinga by the ‘Kavaniyas’ and their journey concludes on this day. Lord Shiva is worshipped on this day. In the festival of Pavitropanna, the cotton is dipped in ghee and lamp is lighted before lord Shiva.

Significance of Sawan Poornima

A full moon arises on the day of Shrawan Poornima. That is why, worshipping Moon on this day eliminates the Chandradosha. The day of Shrawani Poornima is very significant for giving donations. That is why, one should give fodder to cows and should feed the ants and fishes with grains. Donation of cow is very significant on this day.

Every person who wears sacred thread and has an inclination towards religion takes an oath of piousness and changes his sacred thread. Donation is given to Brahmins according to one’s capability and they are provided food. Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi are worshipped on this day. The glimpse of Vishnu and Lakshmi gives happiness, wealth and prosperity.  Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Mahalaksmi and Hanuman are offered sacred thread on this day