Sharad Purnima 2026 and Kojagara Puja: Date, Vidhi and Kheer Tradition
Sharad Purnima 2026 falls on Sunday, 25 October — the full moon of Ashwina. A guide to its significance, Kojagara Lakshmi Puja, the moonlit kheer (kheer-in-moonlight) tradition and regional customs.
Sharad Purnima 2026 falls on Sunday, 25 October — the full moon of Ashwina. A guide to its significance, Kojagara Lakshmi Puja, the moonlit kheer (kheer-in-moonlight) tradition and regional customs.
Quick answer: Sharad Purnima 2026 falls on Sunday, 25 October. It is the full-moon night of the month of Ashwina, celebrated with Kojagara Puja of Goddess Lakshmi and the tradition of placing kheer under the moonlight to absorb its cooling, nourishing rays. Exact tithi timings vary by city — confirm your local panchang. [VERIFY]
Sharad Purnima — the full moon of the month of Ashwina — is one of the most luminous nights of the Hindu year. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, 25 October. Tradition holds that on this night the moon shines with all sixteen kalas (phases) and showers nectar-like, cooling rays, which is why devotees place kheer under the open sky to be blessed by the moonlight.
- Festival: Sharad Purnima / Kojagara Purnima
- Date 2026: Sunday, 25 October 2026
- Tithi: Ashwina Shukla Purnima (confirm local panchang) [VERIFY]
- Also called: Kojagari Purnima, Kaumudi Purnima, Rasa Purnima
- Deity: Goddess Lakshmi (and Sri Krishna in the Rasa tradition)
- Signature custom: Kheer left under the moonlight
Significance of Sharad Purnima
Sharad Purnima marks the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the clear autumn (sharad) season. It is associated with Goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to move across the earth on this night asking “Ko jagarti?” — “Who is awake?” — blessing those who stay awake in devotion. In the Vaishnava tradition it is also linked to Sri Krishna’s Maha Raas with the gopis, and so is called Rasa Purnima.
Kojagara Puja vidhi
- Clean the home and puja space and take a bath in the evening.
- Set up an image or idol of Goddess Lakshmi (and Sri Krishna, where observed) and light a ghee lamp.
- Offer flowers, incense, fruits and naivedya; recite Lakshmi mantras or the Sri Suktam.
- Prepare kheer (rice pudding) and place it in a clean vessel under the open moonlight for a few hours.
- Many families stay awake through the night in bhajan, japa and games, welcoming Lakshmi’s grace.
- The moon-blessed kheer is shared as prasad the next morning.
The moonlit kheer tradition
The best-known custom of Sharad Purnima is leaving kheer (made of milk and rice) under the full moon. Tradition holds that the moon’s cooling rays infuse it with health-giving qualities. Where a clear open sky is not available — including for the diaspora — families place it on a balcony or windowsill facing the moon. This is presented as tradition; those with medical or dietary needs should use their own judgement and consult a doctor where relevant.
Regional variations
| Region | Observance |
|---|---|
| North India | Kojagara Lakshmi Puja; kheer under the moon; night vigil |
| Bengal & Odisha | Kojagari Lakshmi Puja — a major Lakshmi worship night |
| Braj / Vaishnava | Rasa Purnima — celebrating Krishna’s Maha Raas |
| Gujarat & Maharashtra | Sharad Purnima garba, kheer and family gatherings |
| South India | Observed as a Purnima vrat with Lakshmi worship |
Who observes and how
Sharad Purnima is observed widely by families across traditions — there is no restriction, and both women and men take part in the Lakshmi puja, the night vigil and the kheer offering. Some keep a full-day Purnima fast broken with the moon-blessed kheer; others simply do the evening puja. Follow your family and temple practice.
What to do and avoid
- Do keep the puja space clean and the ghee lamp lit through the evening.
- Do offer kheer to the moon and share it as prasad.
- Avoid tamasic food and quarrels on this sattvic night.
- Do not treat the tradition as a guaranteed cure — it is a devotional observance, not medical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Sharad Purnima 2026?
Sharad Purnima 2026 falls on Sunday, 25 October — the full-moon night of the month of Ashwina. Exact tithi start and end times vary by city, so confirm your local panchang.
What is Kojagara Puja?
Kojagara Puja is the worship of Goddess Lakshmi on Sharad Purnima night. Tradition says Lakshmi asks “Ko jagarti?” (“Who is awake?”) and blesses those who stay awake in devotion, so many keep a night vigil.
Why is kheer kept under the moonlight?
Tradition holds that on Sharad Purnima the moon shines with all sixteen kalas and sheds cooling, nectar-like rays, so kheer is placed under the open sky to be blessed by the moonlight and shared as prasad.
Is Sharad Purnima linked to Krishna?
Yes. In the Vaishnava tradition Sharad Purnima is celebrated as Rasa Purnima, the night of Sri Krishna’s Maha Raas with the gopis, and is observed with special devotion in Braj and Vaishnava temples.
Do people fast on Sharad Purnima?
Some observe a full-day Purnima fast broken with the moon-blessed kheer, while others simply perform the evening Lakshmi puja. Anyone with a medical condition or who is pregnant should consult a doctor before fasting.
What is offered in the puja?
Devotees offer flowers, incense, fruits, a ghee lamp and naivedya to Goddess Lakshmi, recite Lakshmi mantras or the Sri Suktam, and offer the moon-blessed kheer as the main prasad.
Is Sharad Purnima the same everywhere?
The core — Lakshmi worship, the full moon and moonlit kheer — is shared, but customs vary: Kojagari Lakshmi Puja in Bengal and Odisha, Rasa Purnima in Braj, and Purnima vrat observances in the South.
Can the diaspora observe Sharad Purnima?
Yes. Families abroad perform the Lakshmi puja at home and place kheer on a balcony or windowsill facing the moon, keeping the tradition even where a clear open sky is limited.
