Magh Purnima is one the most important and sacred Purnimas in the Hindu religion. The baths in the Magh month begin with the
Paush Purnima. Magh purnima is celebrated on Tuesday, 7th February 2012. Donations, charities and Yagyas done on this day are of great importance. Lord Vishnu is worshipped after taking a bath and food, clothes, money etc are distributed among the poor.
It is believed that taking baths in holy rivers on this day relieves a person from all sorts of problems. It is also believed that taking a bath in the Ganga river on this occasion relieves a person from all his sins.
Magh month is extremely important in Sanatan dharma. Baths should be taken early morning. This bath is believed to cure diseases also. Om Namah Bhagvate Vasudevaya Namah should be recited while taking a bath.
Magh Purnima Pooja
Lord Satyanarayana is worshipped on the day of Magh Purnima. He is worshipped with fruits, banana leaves, supari, pan, til, moli, roli, kumkum etc. Panchamrit is made with milk, honey, banana, ganga jal, tulsi and sweets. Prasad is made by mixing wheat and sugar together and roasting them. Lord Satyanarayana is worshipped after this Katha. After this, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma.
On the day of Magh Purnima, Lord Vishnu is worshipped after taking a bath. Just like
Makar Sankranti, donating food, clothes etc to Brahmanas is considered sacred on this day. Lord Vishnu blesses any person who takes a bath on this day in some sacred river. He blesses such a person with happiness, contentment, wealth etc.
Significance of Magh Purnima
Magh month is the eleventh month of the Hindu calendar. Donations, charities etc are considered very sacred during this month. On this day, Moon is in
Magh Nakshatra due to which it is known as Magh Purnima. Religious importance of this month does not go unnoticed. According to Shastras, taking baths in any river during this month is equivalent to taking a bath in the Ganga river. Various arrangements are made by the authorities on the banks of different rivers during this month. The most important of all is the
Prayag Sangam.
Every year, a fair is organised in Prayag during this month which is known as Kalpvas. This fair ends with a bath on the day of Magh Purnima. Many devotees from all over India visit this place during Magh month. On the day of Magh Purnima, devotees offer donations, charities etc.
Religious Importance of Magh Purnima
According to Brahmavaivartpurana, Lord Vishnu himself resides in river Ganga during Magh month and even a touch of this water takes a person to heaven. According to other Puranas, Lord Vishnu is impressed by donation, charities etc in the same way as he is impressed by baths in river Ganga.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu residesin Kshir Sagar during this month and river Ganga is a form of Kshir Sagar. According to astrology, Magh Purnima occurs when Moon is in Cancer and Sun is in
Capricorn sign.
It is believed that taking baths on the day of Magh Purnima relieves a person from all problems related to the Sun and the Moon. This month is believed to be related to Puja, austerities etc. Even Sadhus and Saints consider this month to be very sacred.
Magh month of the scientific approach
Magh month has also been considered to be important from a scientific point of view. Magh month helps a body to adjust to the changing seasons. Magh month is the transition from autumn to winters. The winter solstice marks as the beginning of winters. New plants ad flowers can be seen all around.
Hence, taking a bath in the morning during this month provides a person with power and strength. This proves that if a person keeps his soul pure and indulges in religious activities, he becomes more powerful so that he face all problems easily.
February 24th, 2009, 07:19 AM 
