Festival and celebrations

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Jyeshtha Purnima, the full moon day in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, holds profound spiritual importance across India. In 2025, this auspicious day falls on Tuesday, June 10. The Purnima Tithi begins at 11:35 AM on June 10 and concludes at 1:13 PM on June 11, with moonrise expected at 6:49 PM on June 10 . 

Devotees observe Jyeshtha Purnima with various rituals aimed at seeking blessings for prosperity, health, and spiritual growth. The day typically begins with a sacred bath in holy rivers or at home using Gangajal, symbolizing purification. This is followed by Sankalpa (a vow) to observe the day's fast and rituals with devotion. 

Worship on this day includes offerings to Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Chandra Dev (Moon God). Performing Satyanarayan Puja is considered highly auspicious, bringing peace and prosperity to the household . In the evening, devotees offer Arghya (water offering) to the moon, seeking mental peace and relief from emotional stress. 

Gujarat, and parts of South India, Jyeshtha Purnima coincides with Vat Purnima, a festival where married women fast and tie threads around banyan trees, praying for their husbands' longevity and well-being . This practice is rooted in the legend of Savitri and Satyavan, symbolizing devotion and marital fidelity. 

The day is celebrated as Snana Yatra, marking the ceremonial bathing of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. This public ritual signifies purification and is a precursor to the grand Rath Yatra festival . 

Jyeshtha Purnima is considered an opportune time for spiritual practices. The full moon is associated with the mind and emotions; thus, rituals performed on this day are believed to alleviate stress and bring mental clarity . Offering prayers to Chandra Dev is thought to pacify malefic effects in one's horoscope, promoting emotional balance. 

Fasting on Jyeshtha Purnima is a common practice, with many observing a day-long fast, consuming only fruits and milk. Some devotees undertake a Nirjala (waterless) fast, considered highly meritorious. Charitable acts, such as donating clothes, food, and essentials to the needy, are encouraged, embodying the spirit of compassion and service. 

Jyeshtha Purnima 2025 offers a unique opportunity for devotees to engage in spiritual practices, seek divine blessings, and reinforce familial bonds. Whether through fasting, charity, or ritual worship, the observance of this sacred day is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment.