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Sharad Purnima highlights the healing power of moonlight rituals. From kheer to meditation, Akkshitta Pachauri shares how festivals shape lunar wellness.
Festivals like Sharad Purnima are reminders that tradition and wellness go hand in hand. From meditation under the full moon to food rituals infused with lunar energy
Sharad Purnima is a religious festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin, usually in September or October, marking the end of the monsoon season. The full moon night is observed in unique ways across different cultural regions of the Indian subcontinent.
The festival holds special significance in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, particularly within BAPS, as it marks the birth of Gunatitanand Swami, who is ontologically believed to be Aksharbrahman. On this night, many Hindu divine pairs such as Radha–Krishna, Shiva–Parvati, and Lakshmi–Narayana are worshipped, along with Chandra, the moon deity. Offerings of flowers and kheer are central to the rituals.
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“It is also believed that on this full moon night, Goddess Lakshmi descends to earth to watch the actions of human beings,” explains Akkshitta Pachauri, CEO & founder, The Seekier, and a Certified Astrologer, Numerologist, and Multi-Modality Healer.
The Ritual of Kheer and Lunar Energy
Traditionally, families prepare kheer (a sweet dish made of milk, rice, and sugar) on Sharad Purnima. Each ingredient is symbolically connected to the moon. “When prepared under the moonlight, the kheer is thought to absorb lunar vibrations, transferring the moon’s peak energy into the food,” says Pachauri. Consuming it is believed to align body and mind with lunar balance, fostering mental clarity and emotional stability attributes long associated with the moon in Vedic astrology.
Wellness Beyond Food
Beyond food rituals, Sharad Purnima is marked by practices such as moonlit meditation, ritual bathing, and collective celebrations. The night represents a seasonal transition from the rains to the festive period, a shift often interpreted as prosperity and abundance.
Mythologically, this is also the night when Lord Krishna is believed to have performed the divine Rasa, symbolizing harmony between the moon’s energy and human emotions. “The Rasa is a reminder of how lunar energy can invite us into joy, devotion, and divine alignment,” notes Akkshitta Pachauri.
Festivals and Lunar Wellness
According to Pachauri, festivals like Sharad Purnima are more than religious observances—they shape wellness practices rooted in ancient wisdom. They integrate beliefs about the moon’s influence into rituals that nurture physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Practices like full-moon meditation, ritual food preparation, and cultural gatherings offer structured opportunities for reflection, renewal, and community.
“Lunar festivals create moments where health and spirituality intersect,” she emphasizes. By linking people with cultural traditions that foster joy, reduce stress, and strengthen community bonds, they preserve heritage while supporting holistic wellness.
Whether through kheer imbued with moonlight, meditations under the night sky, or shared rituals of gratitude, Sharad Purnima continues to show how festivals embody lunar energy, balancing body, mind, and spirit.
About the Author
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
September 16, 2025, 18:19 IST
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