Bhadarvi Poonam

Bhadarvi Poonam is one of Gujarat's great pilgrimage observances, centred on the Ambaji shrine in Banaskantha. Ambaji is revered as a Shakti Peetha, and tradition identifies the sacred place with the heart of Sati. In the days leading to the full moon of Bhadarva, large groups of devotees travel toward Ambaji, many walking long distances while carrying dhaja—sacred flags—to offer at the temple. The journey itself is treated as an act of devotion, discipline and community service. Roads to Ambaji fill with seva camps offering water, food, medical support and rest to pilgrims. At the temple, worship is directed toward the sacred Shri Yantra rather than a conventional anthropomorphic idol. Bhajans, garba, darshan and collective prayer give the fair both devotional and cultural energy. Bhadarvi Poonam therefore represents not only a full-moon festival but one of the most visible expressions of Amba devotion in Gujarat.

Bhadarvi Poonam is valued for devotion, family tradition and the spiritual or seasonal meaning attached to the day.

The sangh walks, usually barefoot and usually at night, and villages along the way set up seva camps with water, food and a place to lie down. Bhavai and garba run at the temple for the fair. Those who cannot walk send a coconut with somebody who is walking.

Almost entirely Gujarati and among the largest foot pilgrimages in India. The same full moon closes Pitru Paksha's opening elsewhere and is Bhadrapadi Purnima in the north, kept far more quietly.