Chitra Pournami, or Chithirai Poornima, is a unique Tamil festival celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Chithirai. It usually falls in April or May in the Gregorian calendar. This day is dedicated to Chitragupta, the assistant of Bhagwan Yam. It is believed that taking a bath in holy rivers and temple ponds on this day washes away sins.
Why Chitra Pournami is celebrated
In Hinduism, Chitragupta, the first assistant to Bhagwan Yama, is the one who keeps records of the good and bad deeds of humans on earth. After death, when one reaches Yama's house, he calculates the good and bad deeds and tells them to Yama. Hence, this day is dedicated to Chitragupta and devotees pray to him to forgive their sins.
Mythology behind Chitra Pournami
Another important legend associated with Chitra Purnima involves Bhagwan Indra, the king of the gods, and his preceptor Brihaspati. Once there was a dispute between Indra and Brihaspati and the guru stopped advising his disciple. Without sound advice from his guru, Indra committed many sins. Indra's guru Brihaspati instructed him to make a pilgrimage to Earth to atone for his negative karma.
Indra fulfilled the wish of his Guru. During the journey, Indra found a Shivling under the Kadamba tree. Later, he understood that it was Shiva who was helping him to reduce his bad karma. They soon started offering lotus flowers to Shiva as an act of worship. This legend is believed by the followers to have originated in Madurai. Devotees throng the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai to worship Shiva.
How is Chitra Pournami celebrated?
❀ Chitra Poornima is celebrated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, especially by the followers of Kaumaram and Shaivism.
❀ Devotees keep a fast, worship Bhagwan Murugan and break their fast the next morning. Followers believe that moonlight dispels the darkness of one's soul.
❀ On this day, devotees ask Chitragupta to give them good thoughts and deeds that will benefit all living beings.
❀ The worship and festivals of Murugan deity start from this day every year.
| Begins Tithi | Purnima |
| Reason | Bhagwan Murugan, Chitragupta |
| Celebrations | Bath in Holyriver, Vrat, Puja at Home |
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