Magha Purnima 2023 Date, Time, Rituals & Significance
It is the full moon of the Hindu calendar month of Magha, known as Magha Purnima in India. The date is February 5th, 2023 for this year. Some people honor the religious leader and creator of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha, while others honor the Moon. This article highlights some of the many ways in which Hindus across India observe this joyous occasion.
On the Magh full moon day, many flocks to Haridwar and Prayagraj for a holy dip in the Ganges. People continue to bathe in Maa Ganga’s sacred water throughout the winter. Since taking a dip in Maa Ganga washes away any wrongdoing, the full moon is an especially auspicious time to wash away your sins in the holy river. Holy baths can also be found in other significant pilgrimage sites such as Nashik, Ujjain, and Varanasi, in addition to Haridwar and Prayagraj.
Magha Purnima Date 2023
February 5, 2023, Sunday
Rituals of Magha Purnima
- People celebrate Maghi Purnima by getting up before daybreak and bathing in a sacred river, reservoir, well, or stepwell. As you dry yourself from your morning shower, recite the Surya Mantra and offer arghya to the Sun God.
- One should take a vow of fasting after bathing as an act of devotion to Lord Madhusudan/Lord Krishna. Food, contributions, and dakshina are to be offered to the destitute and Brahmins at noon.
- Donations of sesame and black sesame should be made on a more expedited basis. Black sesame seeds are traditionally used in havan and as an offering to the ancestors during the month of Magha.
- We recommend reciting the Gayatri Mantra or the “Om Namo Narayan” mantra 108 times in a row.
Significance of Magha Purnima
Holy river bathing on the evening before Maghi Purnima is thought to be very auspicious in Hindu books and scriptures. It is believed that one’s current and previous sins can be cleansed by taking a bath and then donating alms.
Lord Vishnu and Lord Hanuman are also worshipped for their protection and blessings on the day of Purnima. It is also believed that all of the wishes of those who worship Vishnu and Hanuman on this day will come true.
Mythology suggests that on Magh Purnima, people should observe numerous religious and spiritual observances. Some people also think that the gods come down from heaven during this month and spend it on the Ganges River shores. Hundreds of devotees from all across the country gather in this month for the auspicious ritual of taking a dip in the Ganges on Maghi Purnima, as part of the famed ‘Magh Mela’ and ‘Kumbh Mela’ celebrations.