Poonam or Poornima is an auspicious day in Hinduism. Poornima is the full moon day and many important rituals and festivals takes place on full moon day through out India. Many vaishnavs visit Nathadwar and varkaris from Maharashtra visit Sant Gyaneshwar’s temple in Alandi, Pune. However followers of Sant Shri Asharamji go for darshan of his holiness every month thereby invoking Lord Vishu in him. They are lovingly referred to as Poonam Vrat dharis by the samitis.
Poonam Vratdharis wake up early and generally bathe in a vedic way but using Gau Mutra or Curd or Sapta Dhan ubtan . After bathing they perform their daily invocations. Many devotees do eat or drink until they are able to get darshan of H.H. Asharamji Bapu. Pujya Bapuji gives darshan to poonam vratdharis every month somewhere in India, by compassion He usually nowadays gives Poonam Darshan at couple of places so that Poonam Vratdharis need not to travel long. Some people become life time poonam vratdharis, while some people take up vrat for an year or 21 , 51, 101, 108 poonam. Poonam vrat has yield emmense benefits to devotees in Adhyatmic, Adhidevik and Adibhautik way.
Some Do’s and Don’ts :
Do’s:
Wake up Early
Vedic Bathing (Snan)
Try to fast until darshan
For those who cannot make it to the satsang for whatever reason must atleast visit the nearest ashram and perform atleast 7 pheras at Vad Dada
Try to avoid outside food after darshan
Meditate on the satsang heard during the darshan
Try to attend the full shibir if possible
Keep maun
Do mansik jap until darshan
After having prasadam, try to participate in some sewa activites
Shri Sureshandji recommends sadhaks to offer argya to moon chanting “Om Somaya Namah” on many occasions
Don’ts:
Try not to miss any poonam darshan for whatever reason
