Magh Pournami or Magh Pournami also known as Maha Maghi Pournami is one of the auspicious Pournami days. This is the full moon day in the month of Magh/Magh which falls on one of the days from mid-January to Mid-February. This year Magh Pournami falls on 16th of February.
Significance of Magh Pournami
The month of Magh is considered to be sacred because at the commencement of this month the sun sets on its northern path. Magh Pournami also marks the end of Magh month and the end of Shukla paksha in Magh month. This auspicious day is celebrated as Masi Magam or Maasi Maham in Tamil Nadu. Magh Pournami is a cultural and spiritually meaningful day.
Magh Pournami also holds special significance for followers of Buddhism as it is believed that Gautama Buddha pronounced his impending death on the same day.
Magh Pournami a Bathing festival
Magh Pournami is referred as a ‘bathing festival’. Bathing in India is a ritual, a ceremony, a festival and a great purifying act. Devotees take a sacred bath every day beginning from Pausha Pournami till Magh Pournami. On this day, several bathing festivals are held on the banks of holy rivers like the Ganga, Jamuna, Kaveri, Krishna, Narmada and Tapi. A holy dip in the Kanyakumari sea and at Rameshwaram also has a religious significance. A bath in the Pushkar Lake Rajasthan, is also regarded as equally auspicious.
The month of Magh is also beneficial from scientific point of view. It is believed that this month helps the human body to adjust with the changing seasons. Therefore, taking a bath on Magh Pournami will provide strength and energy to the body.
Magh Pournami is referred as a ‘bathing festival’. Bathing in India is a ritual, a ceremony, a festival and a great purifying act. Devotees take a sacred bath every day beginning from Pausha Pournami till Magh Pournami. On this day, several bathing festivals are held on the banks of holy rivers like the Ganga, Jamuna, Kaveri, Krishna, Narmada and Tapi. A holy dip in the Kanyakumari sea and at Rameshwaram also has a religious significance. A bath in the Pushkar Lake Rajasthan, is also regarded as equally auspicious.
It is believed that taking a holy dip on Magh Pournami can put an end to all the problems correlated with Sun and Moon. The month of Magh is also beneficial from scientific point of view. It is believed that this month helps the human body to adjust with the changing seasons. Therefore, taking a bath on Magh Pournami will provide strength and power to the body.
Festivities and Religious significance
On this day, devotees worship Lord Vishnu and Lord Hanuman along with the ‘Ishta Devatas’ (family deity). The day of Magh Pournami is also dedicated to worshipping Goddess Parvati and Lord Bruhaspati’ (as Bruhaspati is the God of Magh Nakshatram/Star). According to Brahmavaivartpurana, Lord Vishnu himself resides in the Ganga River during the month of Magh and therefore even a touch of this holy water can cure all sins and all diseases of a devotee.
During this time the famous ‘Kumbha Mela’ and ‘Magh Mela’ is also held in which devotees flock from every corner of the country. Residing on the banks of Tirthraj Prayag Sangam is known as Kalpvaas. Kalpvaas means studying Vedas on the banks of Sangam. Kalpvaas stands for patience, determination of non-violence and devotion. Completion of Kalpvaas is done after taking a holy dip on the day of Magh Poornima.
In Tamil Nadu on this day the spectacular ‘float’ festival is held wherein beautifully decorated idols of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundeshwara are mounted on floats.
Significance for Sushumna Kriya Yogis
Magh Pournami is considered very auspicious to begin any new venture or activity and gain successful results. Scientifically, the location of the Moon with respect to the Earth exerts a different magnetic pull on our planet on this day resulting in the energy to go into a natural
upsurge of upward movement in the body. The blood circulation to our brain is increased, and it is also believed that the inherent quality becomes more enhanced on this day. On Magh Pournami we Sushumna Kriya Yogis must practice our meditation at both Brahma Muhurta and at Sayam Sandhya to help us in our spiritual path.
