Panchangam 25 October 2026, Sunday: Sharad Purnima, Kojagara Lakshmi Puja and Ashwina Purnima Vrat

Quick answer: Sunday 25 October 2026 is Sharad Purnima, observed as Kojagara (Kojagari) Lakshmi Puja and the Ashwina Purnima Vrat. In Hyderabad, Shukla Chaturdashi ends at 11:55 AM (IST) and Purnima begins; moonrise is at 5:07 PM and Revati nakshatra lasts until 7:22 PM. Worship Goddess Lakshmi after moonrise, offer milk or kheer to the moon, and stay awake for a while in her remembrance.

This is the most luminous night of the Hindu autumn. The rains are over, the sky is clear, and the full moon of Ashwina rises large and bright. Bengali homes draw Lakshmi's footprints in alpana, Odisha celebrates Kumar Purnima, and many families sit outdoors with kheer cooling in the moonlight. Whatever your tradition, tonight asks one simple thing: be awake to grace.

Today's Panchang (Hyderabad)

Source: Drik Panchang day panchang for Hyderabad. Purnima continues until 9:41 AM IST on Monday 26 October (per the next day's entry). Muhurta, Rahu Kalam and a Lakshmi puja muhurat are not in our verified data; please check a local panchang.

Tonight's festivals in one place

We have in-depth guides for each tradition, so here is a short summary with links:

• Sharad Purnima: the full-moon night of autumn, the moonlit kheer custom and Lakshmi worship. Read the Sharad Purnima 2026 guide with Kojagari puja vidhi and NRI tips.
• Kojagari Lakshmi Puja (Bengal): the Bengali home puja with alpana, Lakshmi's footprints, bhog and the Lakshmir Panchali. See Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2026: Bengal date and vidhi.
• Kumar Purnima (Odisha): worship of Kumar (Kartikeya), girls' fast, the evening offering to the moon and games. See Kumar Purnima 2026 in Odisha.
• Ashwina Purnima Vrat: the monthly Purnima fast, kept today because Purnima prevails at moonrise.

Religious significance

In the Bhagavata tradition, the autumn full-moon nights are the setting of Krishna's Rasa Lila with the gopis of Vrindavan, and many Vaishnavas remember that divine dance on Sharad Purnima. This is the scriptural thread. The other threads are regional and much loved: the Kojagara belief that Lakshmi asks 'Who is awake?' and blesses the watchful home; the idea that the Sharad moon is complete in all its sixteen kalas; and the custom of moonlit kheer.

Lakshmi here is not only the goddess of money. She is Shri, the fullness of a good life: health, harmony, generosity and a home where guests are welcome. Staying awake is a symbol of attentiveness. A household that is awake, clean, lit and kind is ready to receive her. Revati, the last of the twenty-seven nakshatras, is presided over by Pushan, the nourisher and protector of travellers, which adds a gentle note of nourishment to tonight.

Simple Kojagara Lakshmi puja at home

1. In the afternoon, clean the puja area and the entrance. If you like, draw rangoli or alpana with small footprints leading inward.
2. After moonrise (5:07 PM in Hyderabad), place a picture of Lakshmi on a clean cloth, light a ghee lamp and offer flowers, kumkum and turmeric.
3. Offer naivedyam: kheer, coconut, puffed rice, fruits or whatever your family traditionally prepares.
4. Chant the mantra below and read a Lakshmi stotram if you know one, such as the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam.
5. Offer water or milk to the moon from a small vessel and bow in gratitude.
6. Keep a lamp burning and spend some time in bhajan, stories or quiet prayer before sharing prasad.

No materials? Turn off the screens, step into the moonlight, and say the Goddess's name with gratitude for what you have. Then share something, even a sweet or a kind message. That is a true Kojagara.

Essential versus optional: the lamp, the remembrance of Lakshmi after moonrise and a wakeful, grateful heart are essential. Alpana designs, specific bhog, the length of jagaran and the moonlit kheer are cherished regional customs. For a detailed step-by-step, see our Lakshmi Puja Vidhi 2026 guide.

Mantra for the day

Oṃ Śrī Mahālakṣmyai Namaḥ

Meaning: Om, salutations to Shri Mahalakshmi, the great goddess of auspiciousness and abundance. Chant it after moonrise with a lamp burning. It is an offering of love and gratitude, not a formula for wealth.

Vrat guidance

The Ashwina Purnima Vrat is usually kept from morning until the evening puja, after which devotees eat prasad. Many keep a phalahar fast or a single meal. In Odisha, girls keeping Kumar Purnima have their own customs, explained in the linked guide. Elderly people, pregnant women and anyone with a medical condition should not feel obliged to fast and should consult a doctor; the evening puja alone is a complete observance.

What you can do today

• Clean the entrance and the puja room in the afternoon, after Purnima begins at 11:55 AM.
• Prepare kheer with milk and rice, and keep a portion for the moon.
• Be ready for the moon at 5:07 PM in Hyderabad, just before sunset.
• Light a ghee lamp for Lakshmi and offer lotus or any fresh flowers.
• Stay awake for some time with bhajans or the Lakshmir Panchali or Mahalakshmi Ashtakam.
• Give milk, rice or sweets to someone in need; Lakshmi is honoured by sharing.

For families and children

Sharad Purnima is perfect for children: a full moon, a sweet treat and permission to stay up a little late. Let them help stir the kheer and draw the footprints. Sit outside together, ask them to describe the moon, and tell them the story of Lakshmi asking 'Who is awake?'. Keep the night joyful; no one should be scolded for falling asleep.

Hindus abroad: sunrise, sunset and tithi today

Local times below are for each city and are not converted from India. Clocks in the UK and most of Europe went back one hour today, which is why London's sunrise is about an hour earlier on the clock than yesterday.

Computed with HinduTone's panchang calculator, validated against Drik Panchang; festival dates abroad can differ by a day — follow your temple's panchang. The Sharad Purnima 2026 NRI guide covers diaspora observance in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sharad Purnima on 25 or 26 October 2026?

Drik Panchang lists Sharad Purnima, Kojagara Puja and the Ashwina Purnima Vrat on Sunday 25 October 2026. Purnima begins at 11:55 AM IST and is current through the night, which is when the moon is worshipped. On Monday 26 October Purnima ends at 9:41 AM, and that day is kept for Valmiki Jayanti and the Purnima morning bath.

What time is moonrise on Sharad Purnima in Hyderabad?

The moon rises at 5:07 PM in Hyderabad on 25 October 2026, just before sunset at 5:48 PM. Moonrise in other Indian cities differs by some minutes; check a local panchang.

What does Kojagara mean?

It comes from the question 'Ko jagarti?', meaning 'Who is awake?'. In popular tradition Goddess Lakshmi is said to move through the world on this night asking that question and blessing homes where devotees are awake in worship.

Why is kheer kept in the moonlight?

It is a widely loved folk custom, especially in North and West India: rice-milk kheer is left in the moonlight for some time and then eaten as prasad. People associate the autumn full moon with coolness and health. Treat it as a devotional custom, keep the food covered with a fine cloth, and use common sense about food safety.

Do I need to stay awake all night?

No. Jagaran is an ideal, not an obligation. Many families keep the puja after moonrise and stay up for an hour or two with bhajans and stories. Children, the elderly and anyone unwell should rest.

Is Sharad Purnima on the same day abroad?

In New York, Toronto, London and São Paulo, Purnima already prevails at local sunrise on 25 October, so the night of the 25th is the natural choice there too. In Sydney, Dubai, Singapore and Durban, Chaturdashi is current at sunrise, but Purnima begins during the day. Follow your temple's panchang.

A closing reflection

The moon does not keep its light to itself; it simply reflects the sun and shares it with everyone, rich or poor. On this Sharad Purnima, may our homes reflect Lakshmi's light the same way: bright, open and generous. Om Shri Mahalakshmyai Namah.

Previous and next day

• Previous day: Panchangam 24 October 2026: Trayodashi and Uttara Bhadrapada
• Next day: Panchangam 26 October 2026: Valmiki Jayanti and Ashwina Purnima
• Month view: October 2026 Hindu festivals, dates and rituals

Editor's note

Editor's note (9 October 2026): Panchang timings and festival observances can vary by location, regional calendar and family tradition. This guide follows Drik Panchang for Hyderabad (IST). Please verify local puja timings with a trusted panchang or priest.

Related guides

• Sharad Purnima 2026: Kojagari puja vidhi, mantras and NRI guide
• Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2026: Bengal date and vidhi
• Kumar Purnima 2026 in Odisha
• Mahalakshmi Ashtakam: lyrics and meaning
• Ashta Lakshmi: the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi