What is A Fullmoon? When is the Next One? Know here

Most of the people have heard about a fullmoon. Many people also buy different puja samagris for performing a puja on this day. Here’s everything about it.

A full moon is seen when the moon follows the earth and the elliptic orbit. Sometimes it also gets nearer to the earth as compared to the other times. Even when it is full moon, it comes close to the earth but when it is fullmoon, the mon reaches to the nearest point of earth. This is the reason why on a fullmoon day, the moon appears much brighter and larger as compared to the other normal days in the sky. A full moon appears to be twelve to fourteen percent larger in diameter than a normal moon. Full moon can take place at any point along the elliptical orbit of the moon. When the full moon takes place near the perigee, it appears to be a little bigger than the usual full moon. This is what the name ‘fullmoon’ is referred to. Many astrologers have already explained the phenomenon of a fullmoon. They have said that a full or a new moon that is ninety percent close to the earth’s nearest orbit is the fullmoon. Because of the relatively closer proximity of moon to the earth, the celestial surface of the body look quite larger when the fullmoon occurs.

There are many who consider this day to be an auspicious day and perform puja at home with different puja samagris. They buy these from the online puja shop and also from the market for perfectly completing the puja at home. Some even go to the temples for worshipping the Lord on this day. Many people do fasting and some live on veggies and fruits only. 

When is the Next Fullmoon this Year?

21st January was the most recent fullmoon day and the next day when one can view the fullmoon is 19th February 2019. And in the month of March as well, one can view a fullmoon on 21st March. On this day, it is expected that in the chronical order the moon is going to make up the three in a row at 224,173 miles, 221,734 miles, and 222,274 miles away from earth. In order to get the best view of the moon on the day, one must stay as far as possible from the light pollution. This would give the clear picture of the fullmoon. This is because most of the times NASA runs the live-streams of lunar events. So, just keep your eyes out to get that amazing view.

How Often the fullmoon Can be Seen?

Fullmoon is seen very rarely. It has been found by the researchers that the most impressive fullmoon was seen on 14th November 2016 after 26th January 1948.

Besides these scientific facts, Hindus put more stress on arranging for the puja on this day. As a fullmoon is rarely seen, so it is believed to be auspicious for the Hindus. They buy puja items, make the arrangements and perform the puja with full faith and devotion. 

   

Illuminate Away the Dark Energies in Life on Masik Karthigai

The importance of light is such that it creates an atmosphere of contentment. This is probably due to the removal of darkness that takes place on its presence. Its significance during Puja is also quite noteworthy, since there is hardly any Puja ritual which can be completed without lighting of Diya. The Diya signifies the flaming devotion towards the God, as well the predominance of truth or abolishment of darkness through righteousness. The essential PujaSamagri is the best item for manifestation of light. The Kathigai festival, that is celebrated with Deepam is said to be one of the oldest festivities and are observed by Tamil Hindus all over.

The Importance of Masik Karthigai: 

The celebration of Masik Karthigai is the monthly observance in homage of the grand Karthigai Deepam festival that is looked upon as extremely auspicious occasion by the Tamil community. The day falls in the month of same name when the moon conjugates with the constellation Karthigai (Krittika) and Pournami. The time occurs somewhere between sunset and sunrise (Ratrimana) in Karthigai Natchathiram (Krittika Nakshtra).

The Masik Karthigai days, as well as, the main festival are dedicated to Lord Shiva. On this day the people observe fast and pray to him. There is also a tradition in many places to pray Lord Muruga (Karthikeya) on this Tithi. Rows of streets and homes are lit with lamps since the Nakshatra is associated with immense power. Worshippers, who keep fasts and do prayer and Abhishekam of Shiva, may also buyonline Puja Diyas and Puja Samagris. The lighted Diyas, especially Agal Vilakku (Clay Diyas) herald the prosperity in one’s life.

The Various Associated Tales:

Different stories revolve round this ‘festival of lights’ and its monthly celebration. In one of the stories, Lord Shiva is glorified through his apparent conversion into an infinite flaming pillar of light to settle the disagreement between Vishnu and Brahma on the day of Kartik Purnima when Krittika Nakshatra prevails.

There is another tale associated with the festivity which is about Karthikeya and the six stars. The six stars of the constellation Karthigai are portrayed as Angels in the story and were responsible for nursing the six babies, incarnated from seeds of Lord Shiva in the Saravana (forest of grass). The six babies were conjoined to turn into the six-faced Karthikeya (named after the stars) or Muruga later by Devi Parvati. The Tithi of the fifteenth day of the Kartik Purnima is observed as the birth anniversary of Muruga.