Chitra Pournami 2021

Chitra Pournami is a Tamil festival which is observed in the month of Chithirai during full moon day.  In 2017, the date of Chitirai Pournami is May 10. The Pournami begins at 1:07 AM on May 10 and ends at 3:12 AM on May 11 (Indian Standard Time).

This day commemorates Chitragupta who is the assistant of Lord Yama. Devotees take holy bath in rivers and sacred ponds to wash away their sins. Special pujas are performed at important temples in Tamil Nadu on Chitra Purnami. Devendra Puja or Indra Puja is performed on Chitra Pournami at Madurai Meenakshi Temple.

Chitra Pournami Story

Once the king of Gods – Indra, disobeyed his Guru and preceptor Brihaspati. Brihaspati was unhappy with Indra’s action and decided not to continue his task of advising Indra between the good and the bad deeds. During the absence of Brihaspati Indra enjoyed doing bad deeds. Later the Guru resumed his duty due to compassion and then Indra understood his mistakes and repented his doings. Indra wanted to know what he should do to correct the wrongs he had done in his Guru’s absence. Brihaspati asked Indra to undertake a pilgrimage. While Indra was on pilgrimage, he suddenly felt the load of sins taken off his shoulders at a certain place (near Madurai in South India), and he discovered a Shiva Lingam there. He attributed the miracle to this Lingam and wanted to build a temple for it. He had this constructed immediately. He then wished to perform the worship of the Lingam; the Lord Himself caused golden lotuses to appear in a nearby pond. Indra was greatly pleased and blessed. This was believed to have happened on a Chitra Pournami day and the place was Madurai in South India. Devendra puja is held during Chitra Pournami day every year in Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, commemorating the event.