Shakambhari Purnima (Paush Purnima) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Perform This Puja?

• Devotees of the Divine Mother: Those who worship Goddess Shakambhari, a form of Durga, observe this day to seek abundance of food, grains, and prosperity in the home (Annapurna Kripa).
• Families and Farmers: Households and farming families pray to the Goddess for good harvests and freedom from hunger and famine.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Bath and Sankalp: Begin in the early hours, ideally during Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn period), after bathing in a river or at home.
• Main Puja: The Goddess is worshipped in the morning hours after sunrise. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Daan: Food, vegetables, and grains are donated through the day, after the puja.

About the Festival

Shakambhari Purnima is a deeply revered observance across India in which devotees worship Goddess Shakambhari, the Mother who nourishes the world with vegetables and greens. It takes place on the Purnima (fifteenth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Paush.

The Katha (Story of Goddess Shakambhari)

Once upon a time, a demon named Durgama performed severe penance to Lord Brahma and received a boon that made him almost invincible. Proud of his strength, he took away the Vedas from the world. Without the Vedas, rituals and sacrifices ceased, and the gods lost their strength.

As the sacred rites stopped, rain stopped falling, and the earth was struck by a terrible drought that lasted for a hundred years. Rivers dried up, crops failed, and people and animals began to die of hunger. The sages and gods, in great distress, prayed to the Divine Mother and sought her protection from the demon and from the famine.

Moved by their sorrow, the Goddess appeared with a hundred eyes (Shatakshi), and seeing the suffering of her children, she wept for nine days and nights. Her tears flowed as rivers and filled the earth with water. She then gave the people fresh vegetables, fruits, and greens from her own body to feed them, and so became known as Shakambhari, the one who bears vegetation. She then destroyed the demon Durgama and restored the Vedas.

Since that day, devotees have worshipped Goddess Shakambhari on this day, in gratitude for food and nourishment.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Murti: Picture or idol of Goddess Shakambhari (or Durga)
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Haldi, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Incense (Dhoop)
• Sacred Water Container: A Kalash or small vessel filled with fresh water, with Mango leaves and a Coconut
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits, greens, and a sweet such as Halwa or Kheer
• Devotional Accessories: Red flowers, a red Chunari, and sacred thread (kalava)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe (preferably in a holy river, or add a little Ganga water to your bath at home), and wear clean clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Divine Mother Shakambhari, today I worship you with full devotion. Bless my home with food, grains, and prosperity, and keep us free from hunger and sorrow."
3. Many devotees keep a fast through the day, eating only fruits or a single sattvic meal; follow your family's tradition.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Clean the place of worship and sprinkle it with Ganga water or fresh water.
2. Place the picture or idol of the Goddess on a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean red cloth.
3. Place the Kalash filled with water, with Mango leaves and a Coconut on top, near the Goddess.

Step 3: Performing the Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and place it in front of Goddess Shakambhari.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat to the Goddess and to the Kalash.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh red flowers and the Chunari, and tie a piece of Kalava around the Kalash.
4. Offering Naivedya: Offer fresh vegetables, fruits, greens, and sweets before the Goddess.

Step 4: Reciting the Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully before the Goddess and recite or listen to the Shakambhari Devi Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After the story, sprinkle the held grains at the feet of the Goddess.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayers

1. Perform the Shakambhari Mata Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Chant the name of the Goddess, or recite the Durga Chalisa, praying for plenty in your home.
3. Offer a final bow to the Goddess with folded hands.

Step 6: Daan and Seeking Blessings

1. Donate vegetables, grains, and food to the needy, or feed a Brahmin or a poor family (Daan).
2. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
3. Distribute the prasad among your family members, and break your fast with a simple sattvic meal.