Gaura Purnima, which means means “Golden Full Moon”, is a Vaisnava festival that celebrates the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
The Supreme Lord Krishna appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to establish Sankirtana movement (chanting of the Holy Names) – the Yuga Dharma for this age of Kali. Lord Chaitanya appeared as the son of Sri Jagannath Mishra and Srimati Sachidevi at Sridham Mayapura on Phalguni Purnima, the full moon day, in the month of Phalguna, (Feb-March) in the year 1486 AD (1407 Shakabda). His parents named him Nimai since he was born under a Nimba (neem) tree in the courtyard of His paternal home. His auspicious appearance day is celebrated as Gaura Purnima.
In the Gaura Purnima evening the Deities of Nitai -Gaur receive a grand Abhisheka. Their Lordships are first bathed with Panchamrita and then with panchagavya followed by various fruit juices. Devotees perform sankirtan of the Hare Krishna maha mantra, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare,” resounding in every corner of the temple, please the Supreme Lord. With everyone joining in the sankirtana, prayers from the Brahma-samhita are also chanted, glorifying the Lord.
During the Gaura-purnima festivle, which is celebrated by Gaudiya Vaisnava all over the world, devotees fast till moon rise, thenanukalpa maha-prasad (ekadasi-prasada) is served after moonrise.On the next day, for Jagannatha Misra’s festival, regular prasad is honoured and a New Year for the Gaudiya Vaishnavas in inaaugerated.
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