What is full moon or Purnima | significance | festivals

What is "Full Moon" or "Purnima"?

By Intimate Viewpoint

The Full Moon night is called "Purnima" in India. Even though Poornima is a Sanskrit word, all over India, the full moon night is known as Poornima. The full moon or Poornima is the day that occurs every month when the moon, the sun, and the earth are aligned in a straight line.

From a scientific point of view, it is the geographical position of the Moon. The moon has four primary phases, the New Moon, the first quarter moon, the third quarter moon, and the full moon.

The full moon is considered the third of the four phases. The moon is visible 100% on the full moon day.

The word "Purnima" and the day of Purnima both have great importance in the life of each and every human being, especially in India.

Significance of Purnima in Indian Culture 

In India, the full moon is significant from the point of view of fasting and festival. The date and time of most of the festivals in India are decided, keeping in mind the date and time of the full moon.

Many festivals are also celebrated, especially on the full moon day. these are the major among them.

 Festivals

* Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on the Chaitra full moon day which falls on March-April in the Gregorian Calendar.

* Holi is celebrated on the Phalgun full moon day which falls in March in Gregorian Calendar.

* Shravan Purnima or Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the Shravan full moon day, which falls in the Gregorian calendar in August.

* Vat Purnima is celebrated on Jyesth's full moon day. Which falls on the month of May in the Gregorian Calendar.

* Guru Purnima is celebrated on Ashadh's full moon day. Which falls on the month of July in the Gregorian Calendar.

* Buddh Purnima is celebrated on the Baishakh's full moon day or in the month of April in the Gregorian Calendar.

* Sharad Purnima which is also famous as Kojagiri in West Bengal. This is celebrated on Ashwin's full moon day or in the month of October in the Gregorian calendar.

* Kartik Purnima is celebrated on the Karthik full moon day or in the month of October-November in the Gregorian Calendar.

Apart from this, the full moon has other significance as it is considered auspicious to do Charity and fast on this day. Sea water is also affected on a full moon day. High tides can be seen in the seas on this day.