Chaitra Purnima 2022: Date, Time, Rituals and Significance
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Chitragupta, the heavenly accountant and aide to Lord Yama, the God of Death, is honoured on Chitra Purnima, a Hindu Holi day. According to Hindu mythology, He is in charge of keeping note of all people’s good and bad deeds throughout their lives. ‘Chitirai Purnima’ is another name for Chitra Purnima. It is predominantly a Tamil celebration that takes place during the month of ‘Chitirai’ on the Purnima (full moon day).
On Chaitra Purnima, it is also thought that a person gains virtue by contributing and bathing in a river, pilgrimage lake (Teertha Sarovar), or sacred reservoir. Hanuman Jayanti is also observed on this day in North India.
Chaitra Purnima Date 2022
Saturday, April 16, 2022
Sunrise – April 16, 2022 6:09 AM
Sunset – April 16, 2022 6:44 PM
Purnima Tithi Begins – April 16, 2022 2:25 AM
Purnima Tithi Ends – April 17, 2022 12:25 AM
Chaitra Purnima Vrat Puja Vidhi
On the festival of Chaitra Purnima, bathing, donation, Havan, Vrat, and chants are performed. Additionally, worship Lord Satyanarayana and donate to the poor and needy. The following are the rites that are conducted during this fast:
1. Before sunrise on this day, take a bath in a sacred river, reservoir, well, or Bawadi. Then, while reciting the Surya Mantra, offer Argh to the Sun God.
2. Make a fasting vow and offer homage to Lord Satyanarayana.
3. After ritually worshipping Chandra Deva (Moon God) at night, serve him water.
4. Give a needy person a vessel filled with uncooked food (Kachcha Anna).
Chaitra Purnima Rituals
- Special puja is performed at temples across southern India on the day of Chitra Purnima. The Chitragupta temple in Kanchipuram, the Chandra Moulishwar temple in Thiruvakkarai, and the Airavateshwarar temple in Darasuram are among the most noteworthy of these.
- On this day, devotees worship Chitragupta with zeal and devotion. It is thought that if the prayers are said with sincerity, all of the person’s previous misdeeds will be forgiven. Not only that, but the Almighty would grant him/her the courage to live a sincere life. As a practise, devotees take a holy bath in the water bodies to wash away their sins.
- The Chitragupta temples are visited by devotees who worship their deity with flowers, camphor, and incense sticks. On this day, special food such as chakkarai pongal is cooked as an offering. On this day, all delights are usually cooked sans salt. Devotees abstain from eating milk and milk-based items on Chitra Purnima day (buffalo milk is preferred for using instead).
- Reading and meditating on the narrative of Lord Indra and his Guru, Lord Brihaspati, is considered good on this day.
- On the day of Chitra Purnima, devotees must also feed the needy or impoverished, as they ask forgiveness for previous offences. On this day, clothes, rice, and vegetables are liberally donated.
Importance of Chaitra Purnima
Chitra Purnima is thought to be revered in a variety of ways. The first full moon day of the Vedic year falls on this Purnima in the ‘Chitirai’ month. This day is thought to be particularly effective in removing the karma that prevents people from enjoying good health, money, and relationships. On this day, people worship Chitragupta in order to purge ‘bad’ karma and strengthen ‘good’ karma.
They also seek His heavenly grace in order to keep their good karma under check. On this day, it is encouraged to undertake good activities such as charity or contribution to make up for the sins done during one’s lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is Chaitra Purnima celebrated?
The Hindu calendar’s Chaitra Purnima is one of the most important and significant days. This festival honours Lord Vishnu, one of the Hindu religion’s sacred trinity, and is celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm. Lord Vishnu’s devotees hold a day-long fast to seek His blessings on this particular day.
2. Is Chaitra Purnima auspicious?
The Hindu calendar’s Chaitra Purnima, which falls on April 16th, is one of the most important and auspicious days. Following the harvest and New Year festivals across the country – Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, and Bhogali Bihu, among others – Chaitra Purnima is the first Full Moon or Purnima tithi.
3. What should we do on Chaitra Purnima?
On Chaitra Purnima, the first and most essential ritual is to rise early and take a holy bath in a sacred river before sunrise. After taking the holy plunge, devotees are obliged to revere and pray to Lord Vishnu and Lord Hanuman. Devotees hold a ‘Satyanarayana’ fast in honour of Lord Vishnu.
4. What if someone dies on Hanuman Jayanti?
According to Chitragupta’s view, people are either rewarded or punished after they die. This year, Chaitra Purnima falls on Hanuman Jayanti, making it very auspicious for Hindus all around the country.