Gaura Purnima: Appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Festival
All day
What is Gaura Purnima?
On Gaura Purnima devotees celebrate the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Sri Krishna Himself, in Navadvipa, West Bengal. Gaura means golden, and purnima means full moon. In 2027 the full moon of Phalguna falls on Monday, 22 March.
Significance
Srila Prabhupada teaches that Lord Caitanya is Krishna filled with the feelings of Srimati Radharani. Wishing to taste the love She has for Him, Krishna came in Her golden colour, and He gave this age its dharma, the congregational chanting of the holy names.
The Lord appeared in the Saka year 1407, which is 1486 A.D., on the evening of the Phalguna full moon. The moon was in eclipse, and across the land people were bathing and chanting the holy names, as is the custom during an eclipse. The Caitanya-caritamrta records what happened next:
When the whole world was thus chanting the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa in the form of Gaurahari advented Himself on the earth.
Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 13.94
How to observe it
Devotees spend the day chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and hearing the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and they fast until moonrise. Once the moon has risen they honour anukalpa prasada, which is prepared without grains, as on Ekadashi. Regular grain prasada is served the next day, Tuesday, 23 March, at the festival of Jagannatha Misra, which begins the new year for Gaudiya Vaishnavas.
Questions
When is Gaura Purnima in 2027?
Gaura Purnima falls on Monday, 22 March 2027, in the Vaishnava calendar for Kurukshetra. It is the full moon day of Phalguna.
Why do devotees fast on Gaura Purnima?
The fast honours the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Devotees fast until moonrise and then honour anukalpa prasada made without grains, and regular grain prasada is served the next day.
Who is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu?
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Lord Sri Krishna Himself, who appeared in the mood and golden colour of Srimati Radharani. Srila Prabhupada teaches that He came to taste Her love and to spread the chanting of the holy names.
When did Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appear?
He appeared on the evening of the Phalguna full moon in 1486 A.D., which is Saka year 1407. Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 13.89, gives the year and month.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Monday, 22 March 2027
- Fasting
- Until moonrise, then grain-free prasada
- Place of appearance
- Navadvipa, in Nadia, West Bengal
- Year of appearance
- 1486 A.D. (Saka 1407)
Seva for this day
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