Shocking Benefits of Purnima Pooja! You Won’t Believe What Happens on a Full Moon Night!
Shristy sinha | Feb 14, 2025, 12:52 IST
Are you also a selenophile who just loves watching the moon, and especially the full moon? But do you know about Purnima or spiritual Beliefs of Full moon? This article will take you through the insights of beliefs of Purnima puja and also what science says about the full moon.
On a clear full moon night, it is difficult for someone to not be drawn by the cooling glow of this beautiful celestial gift. It is so soothing that you feel the calmness just by the act of intense gazing. But it’s not only limited to its soothing effect and gazing, it also holds many different values in different Indian cultures. Know what it means in Hinduism.
What is
Full moon is one of the 8 phases of the moon during which the moon is brightest and completely visible. Since ages we know that Full moon occurs when the earth comes between the sun and the moon. But do we know why it is considered so sacred in Hindu religion? Why are there so many beliefs formed around this, after all it’s just about the moon?
The full moon is called “Purnima” in Sanskrit. It is deep rooted in ancient Hindu culture even before the scientists discovered the occurrence of the full moon. In Hinduism we worship the full moon and celebrate Purnima as a revered ritual. It is believed to possess powerful spiritual energy. The full moon or time of Purnima in Hinduism is believed to be a time when the moon's energy is at its peak, radiating positivity and power on earth.
In Hinduism, the sun, moon, sky, Fire and water all which are known to be reasons for the existence of life on earth are worshiped as God or goddess. The idea was to be grateful to all the bodies which has made us able to thrive on earth. In the same way, the moon in its different phases had different religious and spiritual values. The full moon is considered to be the most powerful of all phases. Hindus worship the full moon as the day of Purnima. Hindus believe worshipping the moon sharpens the intellect, enhances clarity of thought, removes confusion, tensions and stress.
Purnima is considered as an auspicious day as the rays of the moon on this day are believed to be sacred and divine. Purnima puja is often linked to fasting or “Vrat” as well which beliefs have certain physical health benefits such as balancing metabolism, enhancing digestion.
Hindus also celebrate this day as Magha Purnima. It is also dedicated to the honour of lord Vishnu in which devotees perform fast and worship Satyanarayan as another form of Hari or Vishnu. This time is also believed to take dip in holy water or rivers relating it to the Kumbh mela of Prayag raj.
Kumbh held every 14 years at the bank of Sangam of Prayag raj is also linked to the full moon. Taking a dip into the holy water of Sangam during the full moon phase has many significances in Hinduism as well as in science. In Hinduism it is considered to purify the human body and soul symbolizing the absorption of moon’s powerful energy.
In ayurveda it is believed that whatever is in our body is in the cosmos too. So, the full moon also holds significance in ayurveda as it is believed to calm the mind and soul and helpful in treatment of many symptoms.
According to ayurveda, the moon is one of the ancient healing systems in the world, as it carries the light energy of the sun by filtering its harmful rays and without t’s harshness. It is known to help in the treatment of certain illnesses and conditions like migraines, rashes, blood pressure and inflammation in the body.
Though it affects our minds across genders, it has even greater relations to the human body and menstrual cycle.
However medical science has not established this yet, but this is being considered for centuries and stood the test of time that phases of moon are related to phases or cycle of a woman’s life.
The moon is said to be associated with the right side of the brain, creativity and intuition, pituitary gland and the female reproductive organs. Aligning one’s menstrual cycle with the lunar cycle is also known to advance wellness, health, fertility, and also helps to manage period pain better. The full moon is also believed to influence the release of estrogen and progesterone.
However much of the research on whether the moon has a direct effect on the body or not is inconclusive, but some studies suggest that the moon has a small impact on health.
Since ancient times, it has been believed that the moon affects human’s Energy level and sleep cycle. However, the connection could be different.
A 2021 study shows that for much of human history people synchronized their life according to the phases of the moon as there were no sources of artificial lighting. The moon was the major source of light after the sunset. Study believes that people were more active during the full moon and might have synchronized their activities and energy levels to the phases of the moon.
This could be because brighter moonlight means people could continue working later into the evening. By using sleep monitors, researchers found that during the full moon the sleep began later and did not last as long on the nights during other phases of the moon. This is likely to be occur because the full moon is the brightest moon phase reflecting more light during nighttime than other days.
At the end, Strong beliefs of devotees make moon much more than just a celestial non-living body, and science supports it too. Religious and spiritual beliefs of full moon is deeply rooted in ancient Hindu practices and many other cultures and is also significantly believed to have certain health impacts. So, whether you are seeking emotional healing or Manifesting desires the benefits of this ritual may help you too, or if you don't have certain beliefs just simply embrace the beauty of this celestial gift and fill your mind and soul with calmness by intense gazing at the full moon.
What is Purnima or Full Moon?
Phases of Moon
Full moon is one of the 8 phases of the moon during which the moon is brightest and completely visible. Since ages we know that Full moon occurs when the earth comes between the sun and the moon. But do we know why it is considered so sacred in Hindu religion? Why are there so many beliefs formed around this, after all it’s just about the moon?
The full moon is called “Purnima” in Sanskrit. It is deep rooted in ancient Hindu culture even before the scientists discovered the occurrence of the full moon. In Hinduism we worship the full moon and celebrate Purnima as a revered ritual. It is believed to possess powerful spiritual energy. The full moon or time of Purnima in Hinduism is believed to be a time when the moon's energy is at its peak, radiating positivity and power on earth.
Full Moon as Purnima Puja
Sadhus worshipping on a full moon night
In Hinduism, the sun, moon, sky, Fire and water all which are known to be reasons for the existence of life on earth are worshiped as God or goddess. The idea was to be grateful to all the bodies which has made us able to thrive on earth. In the same way, the moon in its different phases had different religious and spiritual values. The full moon is considered to be the most powerful of all phases. Hindus worship the full moon as the day of Purnima. Hindus believe worshipping the moon sharpens the intellect, enhances clarity of thought, removes confusion, tensions and stress.
Purnima is considered as an auspicious day as the rays of the moon on this day are believed to be sacred and divine. Purnima puja is often linked to fasting or “Vrat” as well which beliefs have certain physical health benefits such as balancing metabolism, enhancing digestion.
Hindus also celebrate this day as Magha Purnima. It is also dedicated to the honour of lord Vishnu in which devotees perform fast and worship Satyanarayan as another form of Hari or Vishnu. This time is also believed to take dip in holy water or rivers relating it to the Kumbh mela of Prayag raj.
Purnima and Kumbh Snan
People bathing in holy river
Kumbh held every 14 years at the bank of Sangam of Prayag raj is also linked to the full moon. Taking a dip into the holy water of Sangam during the full moon phase has many significances in Hinduism as well as in science. In Hinduism it is considered to purify the human body and soul symbolizing the absorption of moon’s powerful energy.
The major significances it holds:
- Spiritual Cleansing: Religious values view the full moon as a time of heightened spiritual energy and bathing in rivers which absorbs its energy is believed to clean the mind and soul.
- Intuition and Emotion: The moon is often linked to intuition and emotions, so a full moon bath is believed to connect with one's inner self and emotional balance.
- Manifestation and Desires: Full moon is often believed to begin manifestation and fulfill desires.
Full moon and Ayurveda
Ayurvedic medicine
In ayurveda it is believed that whatever is in our body is in the cosmos too. So, the full moon also holds significance in ayurveda as it is believed to calm the mind and soul and helpful in treatment of many symptoms.
According to ayurveda, the moon is one of the ancient healing systems in the world, as it carries the light energy of the sun by filtering its harmful rays and without t’s harshness. It is known to help in the treatment of certain illnesses and conditions like migraines, rashes, blood pressure and inflammation in the body.
Though it affects our minds across genders, it has even greater relations to the human body and menstrual cycle.
Menstrual cycle related to Full Moon
Menstruation
However medical science has not established this yet, but this is being considered for centuries and stood the test of time that phases of moon are related to phases or cycle of a woman’s life.
The moon is said to be associated with the right side of the brain, creativity and intuition, pituitary gland and the female reproductive organs. Aligning one’s menstrual cycle with the lunar cycle is also known to advance wellness, health, fertility, and also helps to manage period pain better. The full moon is also believed to influence the release of estrogen and progesterone.
However much of the research on whether the moon has a direct effect on the body or not is inconclusive, but some studies suggest that the moon has a small impact on health.
Full Moon and Sleep cycle
Phases of Moon
Since ancient times, it has been believed that the moon affects human’s Energy level and sleep cycle. However, the connection could be different.
A 2021 study shows that for much of human history people synchronized their life according to the phases of the moon as there were no sources of artificial lighting. The moon was the major source of light after the sunset. Study believes that people were more active during the full moon and might have synchronized their activities and energy levels to the phases of the moon.
This could be because brighter moonlight means people could continue working later into the evening. By using sleep monitors, researchers found that during the full moon the sleep began later and did not last as long on the nights during other phases of the moon. This is likely to be occur because the full moon is the brightest moon phase reflecting more light during nighttime than other days.
At the end, Strong beliefs of devotees make moon much more than just a celestial non-living body, and science supports it too. Religious and spiritual beliefs of full moon is deeply rooted in ancient Hindu practices and many other cultures and is also significantly believed to have certain health impacts. So, whether you are seeking emotional healing or Manifesting desires the benefits of this ritual may help you too, or if you don't have certain beliefs just simply embrace the beauty of this celestial gift and fill your mind and soul with calmness by intense gazing at the full moon.