On the first full Moon day of Chithirai, a well-known Hindu festival is called Chitra Pournami. Lord Chitragupta, who keeps track of a person’s good and bad karmas, is honored on this happy day. When the Sun is high in the sky in the sign of Aries and the Moon is in the sign of Libra, facing the bright star Chitra, we observe Chitra Pournami. Devotees take a dip in the holy river on this day to wash away their sins.
It is said that this day of the full moon is the best time to worship God Chitragupta. On this day, it is said that those who feed the hungry may reduce their bad karmas. The arrival of this significant Tamilnadu festival presents an opportunity to purge ourselves of our sins. In addition, Lord Chitragupta’s birthday falls on this auspicious day. As a result, a lot of people worship Lord Chitragupta completely.
Significance of Chitra Pournami
When the Sun and Moon reunite, Chitra Pournima is celebrated. Worshiping God Chitragupta is significant on this day. Chitragupta depicts two words, Chitra signifies images, and Gupta signifies hidden. It is believed that Lord Chitragupta is Lord Yama’s younger brother. Additionally, Lord Chitragupta assists Lord Yama by keeping track of a person’s karmas. People usually perform puja to please God on the banks of rivers or nearby lakes during Chitra Pournima.
Anamala Hills attracts thousands of pilgrims during Chitra Pournima, when they appear to be participating in a 14-kilometer Pradakshina walk. Additionally, devotees observe a fast on Chitra Pournami. On this special day, devotees also congregate in large numbers at the ancient Chitragupta temple in Kanchipuram, South India. It is held that those who are unable to strike a balance between the positive and negative karmas continue to go through the same birth cycle.
Chitra Poornima Story
The story of Chitra Poornima centers on Lord Indra, the Kings of Gods, and his Guru Brihaspati, according to sacred texts. Guru Brihaspati and Lord Indra once got into a fight because Lord Indra had slammed Guru Brihaspati. Guru Brihaspati, a guide and mentor, led Indra on a pilgrimage to the earth to get rid of his bad karmas.
Lord Indra agreed, and he carried out his Guru’s wish. Lord Indra discovered a shivaling beneath the Kadamba tree while on the pilgrimage. He came to the realization later that Lord Shiva was assisting him in reducing his bad deeds. He soon began offering lotus flowers as a form of worship for Lord Shiva. This incident took place in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on the full moon day of Chithirai month. Since then, devotees worship the Lord by performing pujas at the well-known Meenakshi Temple in Madurai.
Benefits of Performing Puja On Chitra Pournami
During Chitra Pournami, devotees who perform Durga Puja may experience relief from their negative karmas. By focusing our attention on the truth and honesty, this ritual encourages us to avoid wrongdoing. Devotees make sincere requests to God to get rid of negative thoughts. The purpose of organizing Chitra Pournami Puja is to purge one’s past of sins.
If you want special blessings from God, this sacred ritual might be the best way to get them. On this auspicious day, some also organize Yagna and recite mantras to please the Lord, believing that this is the most spiritual way to connect with God. Not only does this ritual remove negative energy from the inner self, but it also inspires the individual to pursue inner salvation.
How People Celebrate Chitra Pournami?
In an effort to please the Lord, people hold various ceremonies and offer specialized prayers on this favorable day. Additionally, they believe that one can purify themselves by bathing in holy rivers nearby. In addition, Chitragupta is worshipped by those who are affected by Ketu’s negative effects. Some of them fast for a day by avoiding spicy and oily foods. They mark this day by giving food and clothing to the poor and needy.
In addition, the preparation of Navadhaniyam, which consists of nine distinct foods offered to God, is a part of this day’s ritual. One should be careful not to engage in such behavior during Yama Kandam or Rahu Kalam. To worship the Lord, people light incense sticks and keep betel leaves, nuts, coconut, or bananas on a plate. Mangala Aarti is the final ritual they perform to complete the ceremony.