This Wednesday, as the Ashwin Shukla Paksha culminates, Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, will come alive with the joyous celebrations of Sharad Purnima. This festival, steeped in tradition, marks the conclusion of Navratri and will be observed through midnight worship and the preparation of rice kheer, a beloved dish symbolizing sweetness and devotion. Temples across the city are gearing up for the occasion, with prasad distribution and special rituals that will honor both the divine and the community.
At midnight, devotees will offer special prayers to the gods, with kheer serving as the key offering. In accordance with tradition, families place this kheer outside under the moonlight, symbolizing the “Amrit Varsha” or nectarous blessings of the moon. This custom is observed in homes, public squares, and even at crossroads, where people believe that the moonlight infuses the kheer with celestial energy.
According to the Panchang (Hindu lunar calendar), the full moon of the Ashwin month will begin on October 16 at 8:40 p.m., and continue until 4:55 p.m. on October 17. The moonrise is expected at 5:05 p.m., signaling the start of the night’s special prayers.
At Raipur’s Mahamaya Temple, the preparation of kheer and rabri is underway, using approximately 30 kilograms of milk. The temple deity will receive a special decoration at 11:00 p.m., and following the midnight Maha Aarti (grand prayer), the kheer will be distributed as prasad to devotees. Additional prasad will be offered the following morning, ensuring everyone partakes in the blessings.
Other ancient temples throughout Raipur will also follow similar traditions, preparing kheer and offering it to worshippers as part of the Sharad Purnima celebrations.
At Doodhdhari Math in Purani Basti, Lord Shri Ram will be the focal point of worship for Sharad Purnima, followed by the distribution of kheer prasad to attendees. The temple will remain open late into the night, allowing for extended darshan (viewing of the deity). After the Maha Aarti, the sacred kheer will be distributed.
Floral decorations will adorn the Jugaljodi Sarkar at ISKCON Temple in Tatiband, as well as the Radhakrishna temples in Samata Colony and Jawahar Nagar. These deities will be bathed in moonlight, and the kheer left outside will be distributed as prasad to all the devotees gathered.
The Gayatri Shaktipeeth in Samata Colony is preparing a special kheer using an Ayurvedic recipe, adding a unique dimension to the Sharad Purnima celebration. According to an Ayurveda expert from the Gayatri Parivar, this kheer holds significant medicinal value and is believed to protect against various ailments. Special medicinal ingredients are incorporated to promote health, especially for women, as the kheer is thought to relieve several health issues.
In Lakhenagar, the Ramakrishna Jansamuh Trust will continue its tradition of distributing herbal medicines to asthma patients as part of the Sharad Purnima observance. This long-standing custom is a community service that has benefited many over the years. Beginning at 9:00 p.m., a program of devotional singing (bhajan kirtan) will continue until midnight, offering a spiritual atmosphere for all who attend. Alongside the prasad distribution, herbal remedies for various ailments, including asthma, back pain, jaundice, and kidney stones, will be available, providing holistic care to those in need.
Lakshmi Puja in the Bengali Community
In the Bengali community, Sharad Purnima holds special significance, with the day dedicated to worshipping Mata Lakshmi at the Kalibari Temple. The rituals will commence at 7:00 p.m., followed by the preparation and distribution of kheer prasad later in the night.
A temple representative said that the same prayers and rituals conducted on Diwali are also performed on Sharad Purnima, with the belief that from this day onwards, Mata Lakshmi begins visiting homes to bestow her blessings. In addition to temple ceremonies, Bengali households across Raipur will be decorated with traditional rangoli designs and conduct Lakshmi puja rituals to welcome the goddess.
Sharad Purnima in Raipur is not just a religious event but a celebration of community spirit and well-being. From the preparation of kheer to the midnight prayers, from the distribution of Ayurvedic remedies to the decoration of deities, the festival blends devotion, health practices, and cultural traditions. Each year, it brings people together in joy, faith, and the shared belief in the blessings of the full moon.
