Sharad Purnima 2024: Why milk-based dishes are prepared on Sharad Purnima

Full moon or Purnima, is often considered an important tithi as per the Hindu calendar and people often fast on this day for spiritual and religious reasons. All full moons are important but the one happening in the month of Ashwin or September-October holds great significance because that night of a full moon in the Hindu calendar is believed to be the brightest full moon of the year, showering Earth with the nourishing rays of the moon. Sharad Purnima is also regarded as the night of prosperity and abundance, marking the end of the harvest season. Spiritually, it is the night when Sharad Purnima rays rejuvenate body and soul. Also known as Kojagiri Purnima, this full moon is believed to be a night of divine blessings in which the moon shines brightly. On this day, people traditionally prepare Kheer , and put it under the moonlight for the whole night and consume the next day. This ritual increases the nutrition and is said to heal the body. But, several milk-based dishes are prepared on Sharad Purnima that carry both religious and cultural importance. But why do milk-based dishes, particularly Kheer, hold an important place in the celebrations? Let's explore the reasons behind this tradition.

Spiritual significance of moonlight and milkAccording to Hindu mythology, Sharad Purnima is a night with healing and nourishing properties. It is believed that on such nights, moon rays are special and can rejuvenate healthiness and wellness for the night. It is said in ancient texts that on Sharad Purnima night, the moon showers "Amrit" on Earth and rejuvenates the body and soul. Milk is a sattvic food, symbolising purity, nourishment, and prosperity in Hindu culture. Under the moonlight on Sharad Purnima, the divine rays of the moon are absorbed into milk to turn it into an elixir that purifies the body and makes the body immune. This is why the serving of milky recipes and keeping them under the moonlight is a way of absorbing the blessings of the moon.

Sharad Purnima marks the end of the monsoon and the advent of cool weather. Traditionally, this time is characterised by a changeover in metabolism in the body, requiring lighter, easily digestible, and cooling food. Milk is, of course, the best cooling agent. The milk preparation in the form of Kheer, Rabri, and Doodh Poha causes a balance in the body temperature so as to remain cool. It has therefore prevented heat-related ailments which may take place due to a change in the weather.

The tradition of Kheer on Sharad PurnimaAmong all milk-based dishes on Sharad Purnima, Kheer remains a special favourite. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, especially in most parts of India, the Kheer prepared from rice, milk, and sugar is kept under the open sky so that the moonlight shall bless it with its divine power. Later, the family members would have it as prasad after offering some prayers to the moon.

This tradition is believed to have originated from the belief that the moon's rays help in elevating the medicinal or nutritional value of food. It is also believed that Kheer kept under moonlight helps in soothing the digestive system and improves overall health, which is why this dish is so sacred on the day of this festival.

Symbol of prosperity and abundance
Sharad Purnima is a celebration of abundance and affluence. Sharad Purnima is commemorated, mainly in villages where agriculture is most of life. On Sharad Purnima, it is believed that the harvest season would have been completed in the villages, and milk-based preparations are made as a thanksgiving for the good harvest.

Sharad Purnima, the night of community and togetherness
Apart from the religious orientation, Sharad Purnima is a day of social bonding. Families, neighbours, and relatives gather around, share food, and relish in the peaceful charm of a full moon. Preparing milk products, such as Kheer and Rabri, symbolises bond and connection and thus enables one to feel collective feelings and gratitude.

This is a practice mixing with spirituality and health, primarily on Sharad Purnima. The symbolic association of milk with purity and nourishment to ancient beliefs in healing powers by the moon spells harmony between religion, culture, and health. Whether it is the cooling effect of milk or the sense of community it brings, milk-based dishes continue to remain a big part of Sharad Purnima celebrations and provide spiritual nourishment along with the actual physical nourishment for those who eat it.

(Image courtesy: Canva)