Sharad Purnima 2026 — Sunday 25 October
శరద్ పూర్ణిమ 2026
Ashwin Purnima · Kojagara Puja / Kojagiri Purnima / Rasa Purnima / Kaumudi Purnima · Purnima Tithi begins 25 Oct 11:55 IST · ends 26 Oct 09:41 IST · Nishitha Kaal (best for Kojagara Vrat) 25 Oct 23:39 – 26 Oct 00:29 IST · Moonrise (Delhi) 25 Oct 17:20 IST · Kheer under moonlight from 20:00 IST onwards
Sharad Purnima 2026 (also called Kojagara Puja / Kojagiri Purnima / Rasa Purnima / Kaumudi Purnima) falls on Sunday, 25 October 2026. Sharad Purnima is the Ashwin full-moon night when the moon is at its brightest (Kaumudi = bright as camphor), its rays believed to shower amrita (nectar) on Earth. Krishna performed the Maha Rasa Lila with the Gopis of Vrindavan on this night — the divine leela is celebrated with abhishek at every Krishna temple. Households prepare kheer, keep it under moonlight all night, and consume it at dawn as a soma-tonic (Ayurveda: cools pitta, boosts ojas). In Bengal, this is Kojagara Puja — Lakshmi visits homes asking "Ko jagarti?" (Who is awake?) and blesses those in vigil. Primary observance: Evening Krishna/Lakshmi puja (regional), prepare kheer with basmati rice + full-fat milk + saffron + dry fruits + cardamom, place kheer bowl in silver/copper vessel under open moonlight from moonrise to dawn, all-night jagaran + Lakshmi Ashtottara + Vishnu Sahasranama, at Nishitha Kaal offer kheer as naivedyam to moon, consume kheer at dawn. Recommended muhurat: Purnima Tithi begins 25 Oct 11:55 IST · ends 26 Oct 09:41 IST · Nishitha Kaal (best for Kojagara Vrat) 25 Oct 23:39 – 26 Oct 00:29 IST · Moonrise (Delhi) 25 Oct 17:20 IST · Kheer under moonlight from 20:00 IST onwards.
Sharad Purnima 2026 — Date & Muhurat
| Festival Date | Sunday, 25 October 2026 |
| Telugu Masa & Tithi | Ashwin Purnima |
| Primary Muhurat | Purnima Tithi begins 25 Oct 11:55 IST · ends 26 Oct 09:41 IST · Nishitha Kaal (best for Kojagara Vrat) 25 Oct 23:39 – 26 Oct 00:29 IST · Moonrise (Delhi) 25 Oct 17:20 IST · Kheer under moonlight from 20:00 IST onwards |
| Alternative Names | Kojagara Puja / Kojagiri Purnima / Rasa Purnima / Kaumudi Purnima |
All timings computed using Lahiri Ayanamsa Swiss Ephemeris for Hyderabad (17.385°N, 78.486°E). For exact local timings in other cities use our Today's Panchangam tool.
Significance of Sharad Purnima 2026
Sharad Purnima is the Ashwin full-moon night when the moon is at its brightest (Kaumudi = bright as camphor), its rays believed to shower amrita (nectar) on Earth. Krishna performed the Maha Rasa Lila with the Gopis of Vrindavan on this night — the divine leela is celebrated with abhishek at every Krishna temple. Households prepare kheer, keep it under moonlight all night, and consume it at dawn as a soma-tonic (Ayurveda: cools pitta, boosts ojas). In Bengal, this is Kojagara Puja — Lakshmi visits homes asking "Ko jagarti?" (Who is awake?) and blesses those in vigil.
Key Rituals on Sharad Purnima 2026
Evening Krishna/Lakshmi puja (regional), prepare kheer with basmati rice + full-fat milk + saffron + dry fruits + cardamom, place kheer bowl in silver/copper vessel under open moonlight from moonrise to dawn, all-night jagaran + Lakshmi Ashtottara + Vishnu Sahasranama, at Nishitha Kaal offer kheer as naivedyam to moon, consume kheer at dawn. In Vrindavan/Bengal, Krishna temples perform Rasa Lila enactment.
Sharad Purnima 2026 Puja Samagri Checklist (Shopping List)
Items to procure 1-2 days before Sharad Purnima 2026:
| # | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Full-fat milk (1.5 L per person) |
| 2 | Basmati rice (soaked) |
| 3 | Saffron + cardamom + rose water |
| 4 | Almond + pistachio + cashew + raisin |
| 5 | Silver or copper vessel (for kheer) |
| 6 | White cloth (for exposure to moonlight) |
| 7 | Krishna/Lakshmi picture |
| 8 | Yellow-white flowers + tulsi patra |
| 9 | Ghee lamp + camphor + agarbatti |
| 10 | Coconut + betel + akshat |
Regional Variations of Sharad Purnima 2026
Andhra/Telangana: Sarad Purnima; kheer + moonlight exposure widely observed. Bengal: Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is one of the biggest household Lakshmi pujas (bigger than Deepavali Lakshmi in Bengal); rangoli of Lakshmi's footsteps, alpana, panchali reading. Maharashtra/Gujarat: Kojagiri Purnima night — masala doodh (spiced milk) + garba/dandiya evening. Odisha: Kumar Purnima — young girls fast for a good husband; ritual bath in rivers. Vrindavan/Mathura: Rasa Purnima — grand Rasa Lila enactment at Bankey Bihari, Radha Damodar. Tamil Nadu: Aippasi Pournami — Skanda Sashti build-up. North: Kheer + full-moon exposure; Karva-fast wives break their (past) Karva Chauth after Sharad.