शरद पूर्णिमा
Sharad Purnima
The brightest full moon of the year, when kheer is left in the moonlight and Lakshmi is worshipped at midnight.
About Sharad Purnima
Sharad Purnima falls on Ashwina Purnima. The moon is believed to shine with all sixteen kalas on this night, and its rays are said to carry healing amrit.
Families keep kheer under the open moonlight overnight and eat it the next morning. In Bengal and Odisha it is Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, as Lakshmi is believed to ask "Ko jagarti?", who is awake?
How to celebrate
Keep a fast through the day if you observe it.
Worship Lakshmi at night and stay awake for Kojagara.
Place a bowl of kheer in the moonlight and eat it as prasad the next morning.
Offer arghya to the moon after moonrise.
The story
On this night Krishna danced the Maha Raas with the gopis of Vrindavan, multiplying himself so that each gopi danced with him.
Questions
When is Sharad Purnima in 2026?
Sharad Purnima 2026 is on Sunday, 25 October 2026. Purnima tithi begins at 11:56 AM on Sunday 25 October and ends at 9:41 AM on Monday 26 October IST.
What is the Nishita puja time on Sharad Purnima 2026?
In New Delhi, Nishita Kaal is from 11:41 PM to 12:29 AM IST. Pick your city in the timings card to see local times.
Why is kheer kept in the moonlight?
The moonlight of Sharad Purnima is believed to carry amrit. Kheer left under it absorbs this and is eaten as prasad.
Is Sharad Purnima the same as Kojagari Purnima?
Yes. In Bengal, Odisha and Assam it is celebrated as Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.
Around Sharad Purnima
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
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