પૂર્ણિમા (પૂનમ) Tithi Begins at 11:48:43 on એપ્રિલ 11, 2112
પૂર્ણિમા (પૂનમ) Tithi Ends at 13:08:56 on એપ્રિલ 12, 2112
Purnima in the month of Chaitra is known as Chaitra Purnima. It is also known by the name of Chaiti Punam. As it is the first month of Hindu Year, so it holds great significance in Hindu religion. On this day, people fast to seek blessings of Lord Satyanarayana and at night time, they worship Moon God. It is also believed that by donating and bathing in a river, pilgrimage lake (Teertha Sarovar) and sacred reservoir on Chaitra Purnima, a person attains virtue. In North India, Hanuman Jayanti is also celebrated on this day.
Bathing, donation, Havan, Vrat and chants are performed on the occasion of Chaitra Purnima. Also, worship Lord Satyanarayana as well as donate things to the needy and poor. The rituals performed on this fast are as follows:
1. On this day, take a bath in a sacred river, reservoir, well or Bawadi before sunrise. After that, offer Argh to the Sun God while chanting Surya Mantra.
2. Take vow for the fast and worship Lord Satyanarayana.
3. After worshipping Chandra Deva (Moon God) ritually in the night, offer water to him.
4. Donate a vessel filled with raw food (Kachcha Anna) to the needy.
Chaitra Purnima is also known by the name of Chaiti Punam. On the same day, Shri Krishna celebrated Raas Utsava in Braj city, which is popularly known as Raas Leela or Maharaas. Thousands of Gopis participated in this festival and Lord Shri Krishna danced the whole night with each one of them using his divine power (Yogmaya).
It is believed that Lord Hanuman, also called Ram Bhakt Hanuman, was born on the Purnima of Chaitra month. So, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on this day, especially in North India and Central India. However, there are some disagreements related to this festival. On some places, it is celebrated on Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, whereas at some places it is celebrated on Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. However, both dates (Tithis) are mentioned in religious scriptures. But, as there is difference in the way both are celebrated, so first is called Hanuman Jayanti and the second is called Vijay Abhinandan Mahotsava.