Sharad Purnima 2024: Significance, timing, and why Rice Kheer is kept under the moonlight

India is a land of festivals and here every festival is celebrated in an elaborate manner. And here, no festival is complete without a dose of delicious sweets. One such festival is Sharad Purnima, also known as Rass Purnima, a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi that is celebrated on the Full Moon Day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin. In the Brij region, the day is dedicated to Lord Krishna, and it is believed that Lord Krishna performs the dance of divine love, or Maha-Raas, on Sharad Purnima. On this day, devotees take a holy dip in the river and pray for happiness and prosperity. On this day, devotees fast, take the holy dip, and also prepare rice kheer using Ganga Jal and keep it under the moonlight and then the next day, the kheer is consumed as bhog. Scroll down to read the details of the festival.


Sharad Purnima 2024 timing
According to the Panchang, the full moon date of Ashwin month will start on October 16 at 08:40 pm and it will end on October 17 at 04:55 pm. As per experts, the festival of Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on October 16.

History of Sharad Purnima
As per beliefs, on Sharad Purnima, the moon comes out with all of the sixteen kalas. Each kala of the moon represents a human quality, and only by achieving all the sixteen kalas can a person be called complete.


Why is kheer made on this day and kept under full moon?
As per mythology, Sharad Purnima marks the beginning of the winter months, and on this day, Chandra Dev (moon) is worshipped. As a tradition, people make rice kheer on the night of Sharad Purnima and keep it under the open sky in silverware, and consume it the next morning. It is believed that the winter dew brings down the lactic content of milk and the bright light of the moon reduces the starch level of rice, and when served in silverware, the kheer helps boost the immune system. Also, it is believed that the rays of the moon have certain healing properties that nourish the human body.

Other philosophies associated with Sharad Purnima
It is also believed that on this day, Maa Lakshmi comes to roam around the earth, and those who invoke her at night on Sharad Purnima by offering kheer to the moon receive the grace of the deity.

What else is prepared on this day
As per legends, white-coloured foods play a key role on this day and pure vegetarian food is prepared on Sharad Purnima. Apart from kheer, there is Kalakand, Raita, Gatte ka Pulao, Dal Paratha, Rasiyao, and other dishes prepared on this day. As per experts, people prefer to make satvik food on this day and avoid the use of garlic and onion on this auspicious day. Also, the consumption of meat, eggs, alcohol, and seafood is prohibited on this day.


How to make Kheer
Kheer also known as Rice Kheer is a popular Indian dessert made with broken rice, milk, sugar, cardamom, and nuts. Here's the simplest recipe to try at home.

Ingredients required
2 cups full-fat milk, 1/4 cup broken white rice, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp cardamom powder, 2 tbsp chopped nuts and a few strands of saffron.

Method
Boil the milk in a saucepan on low flame. Next, add washed rice to it and stir well. Cook it on a low flame for 20-30 minutes or until the rice is cooked evenly. Add cardamom powder and sugar, stir well. Lastly, add nuts and saffron strands. Cook for 4-5 minutes, and your homemade Rice Kheer is ready.