Sharad Purnima 2026 Date: October 25 or 26? Check Moonrise Time, Tithi and Kheer Ritual

Sharad Purnima 2026: Date and Time

Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The festival is observed on the full moon night of Ashwin Shukla Paksha and is considered significant for Lakshmi Puja, Chandra worship and the traditional moonlight kheer ritual.

Event	Date and Time
Sharad Purnima 2026	Sunday, October 25, 2026
Purnima Tithi Begins	October 25, 11:55 AM
Purnima Tithi Ends	October 26, 9:41 AM
Moonrise in New Delhi	October 25, 5:00 PM
Kojagara Lakshmi Puja, Nishita Kaal	October 25, 11:40 PM to October 26, 12:31 AM

Sharad Purnima 2026: Is It on October 25 or 26?

Sharad Purnima is observed on October 25, 2026, but some calendars also list October 26 as Ashwin Purnima. This difference arises because the Purnima tithi extends across two calendar dates.

The full moon tithi begins at 11:55 AM on October 25 and ends at 9:41 AM on October 26. Since the traditional Sharad Purnima observance centres on the moonlit night, the festival and its associated kheer ritual fall on the evening of October 25.


October 26 is also significant because the Purnima tithi is present during the morning. This explains why some calendars identify October 26 as the Purnima day under the sunrise-based calendar convention.

For readers planning the moonlight ritual or Kojagara Lakshmi Puja, the night of October 25 is the key observance period.

Sharad Purnima 2026 Moonrise Time: When Will the Full Moon Appear?

The moonrise time for Sharad Purnima 2026 in New Delhi is 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 25.

Moonrise timings differ across India because of geographical location. People in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow and other cities should check their local panchang for the exact time.

The appearance of the full moon is central to Sharad Purnima traditions. Many families prepare kheer during the evening and place it in a clean vessel under the open sky after moonrise. Some households keep the offering outside for several hours or overnight before distributing it as prasad.

The exact time for placing kheer under the moonlight can follow the family's regional custom and the guidance of its local panchang.

Why Is Sharad Purnima Celebrated?

Sharad Purnima holds religious significance in several parts of India. The festival is associated with the full moon, Goddess Lakshmi's blessings and Lord Krishna's divine Raas Leela.

1. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi

Sharad Purnima is also known as Kojagari Purnima. The name is traditionally associated with the Sanskrit expression Ko Jagarti?, meaning “Who is awake?”

According to popular religious belief, Goddess Lakshmi visits the earth on this night and blesses those who remain awake in devotion. Many households perform Lakshmi Puja and pray for prosperity, financial stability and well-being.

2. Lord Krishna's Maha Raas

In the Braj region, Sharad Purnima is known as Raas Purnima. Religious tradition associates this full moon night with Lord Krishna's Maha Raas with the gopis of Vrindavan.

The occasion is particularly significant for Krishna devotees, and temples in the Braj region may organise special prayers and devotional programmes.

3. Significance of the Full Moon

Sharad Purnima is traditionally believed to be a night when the moon shines with all sixteen kalas, or aspects of completeness. Its rays are described in religious belief as nourishing and nectar-like.

This belief underlies the practice of placing kheer in the moonlight. These are traditional spiritual beliefs rather than scientifically established health benefits.

Sharad Purnima Kheer Ritual: Why Is Kheer Kept Under Moonlight?

Preparing rice kheer and placing it under the moonlight is one of the most widely recognised Sharad Purnima traditions in Indian households.

According to religious belief, the moon's rays on this night carry amrit, or nectar, and are believed to bless the food placed beneath them. The kheer is subsequently consumed as prasad and shared with family members.

How to Prepare Kheer for Sharad Purnima

The ritual can be followed with a simple homemade rice kheer.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of milk
• 3–4 tablespoons of rice
• Sugar to taste
• Cardamom powder
• Chopped almonds, cashews or other dry fruits, if desired

Preparation and ritual:

1. Wash the rice and soak it briefly.
2. Bring the milk to a boil and add the rice.
3. Cook over a low flame, stirring occasionally, until the rice softens and the milk thickens.
4. Add sugar and cardamom powder. Garnish with dry fruits if desired.
5. Allow the kheer to cool to a suitable temperature and transfer it to a clean, covered vessel.
6. After moonrise, place the vessel in a clean outdoor space where it is exposed to moonlight, following the family's customary practice.
7. Offer the kheer during prayers and distribute it as prasad.

Hygiene tip: Keep the kheer protected from insects, dust, animals and other contaminants. A clean, food-safe cover that allows the customary ritual to be followed is preferable to leaving uncovered dairy food outdoors for extended periods. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.

Sharad Purnima Puja Vidhi: How Is the Festival Observed?

The exact puja procedure varies by region and family tradition. A commonly followed observance includes these steps:

1. Clean the puja area: Prepare the prayer space and arrange an image or idol of Goddess Lakshmi according to family custom.
2. Prepare the offerings: Keep flowers, fruits, a diya, incense and homemade kheer ready.
3. Perform Lakshmi Puja: Offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being.
4. Offer prayers to Chandra Dev: Many devotees worship the Moon God and offer prayers on the full moon night.
5. Place kheer under the moonlight: Follow the household's customary timing and ritual for the offering.
6. Observe the night vigil: Some devotees stay awake for part or all of the night as part of the Kojagari tradition.
7. Distribute prasad: Share the kheer with family members after the ritual.

Those observing a fast should follow their family's customary rules and any relevant guidance from their religious tradition.

What Should You Do on Sharad Purnima?

Devotees commonly observe the festival through prayer, offerings and family rituals. The following practices are associated with Sharad Purnima:

• Perform Lakshmi Puja according to family tradition.
• Offer prayers to Chandra Dev.
• Prepare rice kheer and offer it as prasad.
• Place the kheer under the moonlight as part of the traditional ritual.
• Read or listen to the Sharad Purnima vrat katha if customary.
• Share food and prasad with family members.
• Maintain cleanliness and observe the fast according to personal and family practice.

There is no need to follow every practice to the same extent. Regional customs differ, so devotees can follow the traditions observed in their households.

Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2026: Significance and Rituals

Kojagari Lakshmi Puja will be observed on the night of Sunday, October 25, 2026, alongside Sharad Purnima. The occasion is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who is worshipped for prosperity, wealth and well-being. The name Kojagari is traditionally linked to the expression Ko Jagarti?, meaning “Who is awake?”

Devotees typically clean their homes, light diyas, offer flowers and sweets, and perform Lakshmi Puja according to their family traditions. Some observe a night vigil, believing that Goddess Lakshmi blesses those who remain awake in devotion. The customs and puja timings may vary by region.

For the Kojagari Lakshmi Puja muhurat, detailed puja vidhi, vrat rules and mantras, refer to our Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2026 guide.

What Is the Difference Between Sharad Purnima and Kojagari Purnima?

Sharad Purnima and Kojagari Purnima generally refer to the same full moon observance, although regional customs and emphasis differ.

Sharad Purnima highlights the full moon night of Ashwin and its association with Lord Krishna's Maha Raas and the kheer ritual. The name Kojagari Purnima emphasises the night vigil and worship of Goddess Lakshmi, particularly in traditions that associate staying awake with receiving her blessings.

In Gujarat, the festival is widely known as Sharad Poonam. In parts of the Braj region, it is called Raas Purnima. Odisha also observes the occasion as Kumar Purnima, with its own regional customs.

Sharad Purnima 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Sharad Purnima in 2026?
   Sharad Purnima will be observed on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The Purnima tithi continues until the morning of October 26.
2. What is the Purnima tithi timing for Sharad Purnima 2026?
   The Purnima tithi begins at 11:55 AM on October 25 and ends at 9:41 AM on October 26, 2026, according to the New Delhi panchang.
3. What is the Sharad Purnima moonrise time in 2026?
   The moonrise time in New Delhi is 5:00 PM on October 25, 2026. The time varies by city, so check the local panchang for your location.
4. Why is kheer prepared on Sharad Purnima?
   Kheer is prepared because of the traditional belief that the moonlight on Sharad Purnima carries nectar-like qualities. It is placed under the moonlight as a religious offering and later consumed as prasad.
5. Should kheer be kept outside all night on Sharad Purnima?
   Many families traditionally keep kheer under the moonlight for several hours or overnight. The duration depends on regional and family customs. For food safety, keep the kheer covered and avoid leaving dairy food at unsafe temperatures for prolonged periods.