What is Chitra Pournami

Chitra Pournami is the full moon day falling on the Chaitra month. This day is considered very auspicious and is dedicated to the worship of Chitra Gupta, the official bookkeeper of Yama, the God of death. As per another account, Lord Indra, the king of Devas, disrespected his master, Devaguru Brihaspati, and also committed other sins. As a result of his actions, Indra was facing danger to his title, 'Devraj.' Therefore, Brihaspati advised Indra to go on a pilgrimage and pray to Lord Shiva to wash his sins. Lord Indra followed his Guru's instruction and went on a pilgrimage; he found a Shiva Lingam under a Kadamba tree and started worshiping Shiva by offering a golden lotus from a nearby pond. Lord Shiva appeared before him and freed Indra of his sins. The day when Indra was relieved of his sins was Chitra Pournami. Read also: TOP 4 BABY CARE TIPS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW

Who is Chitra Gupta

The Chitragupta acts as an eternal witness to all the individuals. He writes down the full account of all our good and bad deeds in a logbook or record. When one dies, their soul reaches the 'Yamalokha.' Chitragupta reads out the merits and demerits of the soul to the Yama Dharmaraja; based on Chitra Gupta's readings, Yama punishes the soul by putting it in the 'Narakalokha,' or rewards it allowing it to heaven.

The Message of Chitra Pournami 

Chitra Pournami reminds us that our deeds, both good and bad, will bring consequences during our life on earth and even in our afterlife. Thus, it is ideal to do good deeds and avoid bad deeds towards others. Chitra Pournami is also the time when you can wash away your sins through rituals and genuine prayers. The Chitra Pournami rituals and prayers have the power to relieve people of their sins and reduce the impact of their bad deeds.

The Rituals of Chitra Pournami

The Chitra Pournami Pooja is observed during the late evening or early night when the Full Moon is in its full bloom. As seen earlier, special poojas are done, and fasting is undertaken to Chitra Gupta; these pooja and fasting are known as the 'Chitragupta Nombu' or the 'Chitragupta Vrata.' The family members usually fast during the daytime of the Chitra Pournami. Both genders can perform Chitra Pournami pooja. After their morning bath, the women clean the house entrance and put maakolam depicting Chitragupta with paper and pen, or else they can draw a padi kolam. In the pooja room, keep the paper, pencil, Navadhanyam (nine different grains), Chitrannam (different flavored rice), and dhal ready. Now, pray to Chitragupta to consider our good deeds and to ignore our bad deeds. Chitragupta Pooja books are available in the book shops, and you can chant the slokas given in those books.

Rules of the Chitra Pournami Vrata (Fasting)

It is believed that Chitra Gupta emerged from Kamadhenu, the Divine Cow. Thus, on this day, devotees avoid consuming cow's milk and milk products prepared from cow milk. If available, you can use buffalo milk on this day. After performing pooja and offering Naivedhya, devotees donate rice, vegetables and give Dakshina or alms to Brahmins in a Muram, a type of bamboo sieve. It is customary for devotees to consume saltless curd rice or survive the day without food. Avoiding food without salt is the primary condition of fasting on this day.

Types of Chitranna 

Chitranna preparation is the specialty of Chitragupta Pournami. The devotees fasting on this day pray to the Moon and Chitragupta and offer Chitranna as Naivedhya. When the pooja is over, they break their fast by eating the Chitranna as prasad. Different types of Chitranna are prepared on the auspicious day of Chitra Pournami, some of the common flavors are

• Tamarind Rice
• Lemon Rice
• Coconut Rice
• Mango Rice
• Coriander Rice
• Curd Rice
• Sakkarai Pongal (Sweet Rice)

Apart from the above, some other delicacies like Vada and payasam (milk kheer) are also prepared.

The Chitragupta Mantra

Below is a famous mantra of Chitragupta for chanting during the Chitra Pournami festival Mashibhajansanyuktaschrasi Twang! Maheetale| Lekhani-Katinihasta Chitragupta Namostute || Chitragupta Namstubhyam Lekhakaksharadayakam | Kayasthajatimasadya Chitragupta! Namostute || Chitragupta temples Temples for Chitragupta are very rare. At Kanchipuram, the temple town of Tamil Nadu, one can find a separate Chitra Gupta temple. The temple is very famous and is thronged by devotees trying to please Chitragupta. The Thirukodikaval Thirukoteeswarar shrine located en route Kumbakonam has separate shrines for Lord Yama and Chitragupta. Chitra Pournami Benefits The festival of Chitra Pournami is an opportunity to realize that a greater power watches our deeds. It reminds us to avoid committing evil deeds and follow the path of truth and perform good deeds. It is a day to cleanse our sins through expiation and sincere prayers. It is believed that one's urge and willingness to cleanse Karmas can take the person closer to God. The effects of observing the  Pournami festival bring in a sincere effort to liberate oneself from the clutches of negative energies. Chitra Pournami Dates: According to the Hindu Calendar, the 2021 Chitra Pournami was observed on April 27th. For the year 2022, it will be falling on April 16th. So observe the Chitra Pournami pooja and be blessed with the grace of the Moon and Chitra Gupta.