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About Sharad Purnima

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About Sharad Purnima

Sharad Purnima is the full moon of Ashvin, in October, at the end of the monsoon. It is said to be the only night the moon shines with all sixteen of its kalas, or phases.

Families make rice kheer and leave it under the moonlight, believing the moon's rays carry nectar, and eat it the next morning. Many recall Lord Krishna's Maha Raas with the gopis of Vrindavan on this night.

It is also Kojagari Purnima: the Goddess Lakshmi is said to roam asking "Ko jagarti?", who is awake?, and to bless those keeping vigil. Bengal, Odisha and Assam keep Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, Odisha celebrates Kumar Purnima for young girls, and Maharashtra shares spiced milk under the moon.

  • Ashwin full moon
  • September or October
  • Kheer in the moonlight
  • Also Kojagari and Kumar Purnima

Where it began

Sharad is the autumn season that follows the rains. Its first full moon is said to shine with all sixteen phases, or kalas, of the moon.

Legend says Krishna danced the Raas Leela with the gopis of Vrindavan on this night. Another story tells that Lakshmi visits homes and blesses those who stay awake.

Many believe the moonlight on this night is healing, so families leave kheer out under the sky and eat it the next morning.

The full moon, said to shine with all sixteen kalas tonight

How it grew over time

  1. Ancient times

    Autumn full moon festivals and the harvest are linked in early texts.

  2. Medieval period

    The Raas Leela of Krishna is told in songs and dance in Braj and beyond.

  3. Modern times

    Temples in Vrindavan and Mathura hold special night worship and dance.

  4. Today

    Families across India keep kheer in the moonlight and gather on rooftops.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Braj, Uttar Pradesh

    Temples in Vrindavan dress Krishna in white and hold the Raas under the moon.

  • Gujarat

    Families do garba in the moonlight and enjoy dudh poha, milk with flattened rice.

  • Odisha

    Kumar Purnima is a day for young girls, who pray to the moon and play games.

  • West Bengal and Assam

    The night is Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, with home worship of the goddess.

  • Maharashtra

    Kojagiri Purnima brings friends together on terraces with spiced saffron milk.

Sharad Purnima moments

The autumn moon rises over the trees
Families sit out late under the moonlight
Royal women enjoy a festive night, in a painting from about 1760

Sharad Purnima today

Families cook kheer or sweet milk, set it under the moon, and gather on terraces to talk and sing. Many pray to Lakshmi or keep a light fast.

How people celebrate Sharad Purnima

  • Kheer kept under the moonlight
  • Staying awake through the night
  • Lakshmi puja at night
  • Moonlit songs and dances
  • Spiced milk in Maharashtra and Gujarat

How to wish well

  • Send wishes in the evening, when the moon rises.
  • Wishes about moonlight, kheer and Lakshmi's blessings suit everyone.
  • For Bengali friends, wish them on Kojagari Lakshmi Puja the same night.

Questions about Sharad Purnima

When is Sharad Purnima 2026?

Sharad Purnima falls on the full moon of Ashvin, on the night of 25 October 2026.

Why is kheer kept in the moonlight on Sharad Purnima?

People believe the moon's rays on this night carry healing nectar, so kheer left under the moon becomes prasad.

Is Sharad Purnima the same as Kojagari Purnima?

Yes. It is the same full moon. Kojagari comes from "Ko jagarti", the question Goddess Lakshmi is said to ask that night.

What do you say on Sharad Purnima?

Say "Happy Sharad Purnima". In Hindi, "Sharad Purnima ki hardik shubhkamnayein".

Why is Sharad Purnima special?

It is said to be the one night the moon shines with all sixteen kalas, and the night of Krishna's Maha Raas.

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