शरद पूर्णिमा
Sharad Purnima
The full moon of Ashwin, when families offer kheer to the moonlight, worship Lakshmi in the night and recall Krishna's Raas.
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| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| Sunday, October 25, 2026 | Sharad Purnima (Kojagara, midnight) |
| Sunday, October 25, 2026 | Ashwin Purnima |
| Thursday, October 14, 2027 | Sharad Purnima (Kojagara, midnight) |
| Friday, October 15, 2027 | Ashwin Purnima |
| Monday, October 2, 2028 | Sharad Purnima (Kojagara, midnight) |
| Tuesday, October 3, 2028 | Ashwin Purnima |
About
Sharad Purnima is the full moon day, Purnima, of the Hindu month of Ashwin. It follows Dussehra and comes in the heart of the sharad (autumn) season, when the sky is clear and the moon is said to shine at its most radiant. It is known in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Bengal by regional names, and in Odisha as Kumar Purnima.
The Ashwin Purnima is the same in both the Purnimanta and Amanta systems.
Significance and stories
Tradition holds that on this night the moon is full with all sixteen kalas (phases of perfection) and its light is cooling and nourishing. Families therefore place milk-based sweets in the moonlight.
The night has three major themes.
Kojagiri Lakshmi: In many regions, people believe that Goddess Lakshmi walks the earth on this night, asking "Ko jagarti?" ("Who is awake?"). Those who stay awake, praying and playing games, are said to be blessed by her. The word Kojagiri comes from this.
Raas Leela: Vaishnavas remember that Lord Krishna danced the Raas with the gopis on this night in Vrindavan. Temples hold special darshan and bhajan evenings.
Kumar Purnima: In Odisha, young unmarried girls worship the moon and the sun and pray for good fortune, and children play traditional games.
How to observe (puja vidhi)
- Bathe in the morning and clean the home. Some families keep a light fast through the day.
- In the evening, set up an image of Lakshmi, and worship her with flowers, a lamp and incense. Include Lord Vishnu or Krishna if that is your family custom.
- Prepare kheer (rice pudding made with milk) and keep it covered with a clean thin cloth or mesh.
- When the full moon is high, offer water or milk to the moon (chandra arghya) and show a lamp.
- Place the kheer where the moonlight falls on it for a few hours.
- Stay awake for part of the night, singing bhajans, reading the stories, or playing quiet games, if you can.
- Eat a small portion of the kheer as prasad and share it with family.
Puja items (samagri)
- Image or photo of Lakshmi, Vishnu or Krishna
- Flowers, incense, ghee lamps, kumkum, rice
- Milk, rice, sugar, cardamom, nuts for kheer
- A clean bowl and a thin cloth to cover it
- Water in a small pot for the moon offering
Fasting and food
Some families fast until moonrise and break the fast with kheer. Many do not fast at all. Kheer is the traditional food. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, people also drink spiced milk with nuts (masala doodh) and eat poha or chivda. In Bengal, naru and moa sweets are made.
If you fast, people with health conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and the elderly should follow their doctor's advice and may keep a lighter fast. Anyone with diabetes should enjoy the sweet kheer in a small portion.
Regional customs
In Gujarat, the night is also associated with Garba, and in Vrindavan and Mathura it is Raas Purnima. In Mithila and Bengal, it is Kojagara Lakshmi Puja. In Odisha it is Kumar Purnima. In Maharashtra it is Kojagiri, with milk offered to the moon. Some traditions place the kheer in a silver bowl; others use any clean vessel. Traditions vary; follow your family's custom or your priest's guidance.
Celebrating in the USA
The moon is visible in the evening, but cloud, trees and apartment buildings can block it, and a cold night in autumn may be uncomfortable outdoors. A window ledge, balcony or garden table is enough. In colder regions, put the dish out for a shorter time and bring it in, or place it near a window with moonlight. Refrigerate leftover kheer promptly.
Many temples hold Lakshmi puja and bhajan evenings, and Gujarati associations hold Garba nights. If the full moon falls on a work night, a short puja, kheer and a few minutes of moonlight is a complete observance. The site shows the moonrise and Purnima tithi for your city.
Do
- Choose a clear spot for the moonlight offering, such as a balcony or yard.
- Cover the kheer with a thin cloth to keep insects out.
- Check the moonrise and Purnima timing for your city on this site.
- Stay up for the evening bhajans or story if you can.
- Share kheer with neighbours and elders.
- Use fresh milk and keep the kheer hygienic.
- Take a moment to look at the moon with quiet gratitude.
Don't
- Do not leave milk sweets outside for many hours in warm weather or where they attract pests; if the kheer was left out a long time, do not eat it.
- Do not place the dish on an unstable ledge or railing.
- Do not make health claims for the kheer. It is a religious offering and a meal.
- Do not stay awake at the cost of your health or your work the next day.
Related
Customs differ between families, regions and traditions. This page describes common practice; follow your family’s tradition and your priest’s guidance.