Sharad Purnima 2026 is celebrated on the night of Sunday, 25 October 2026. The Purnima tithi runs from about 11:55 AM on 25 October to 9:41 AM on 26 October, so the full-moon night, when kheer is kept in the moonlight and the Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is performed, is Sunday. Calendars that list Monday 26 October are naming the Purnima day, used for the Purnima snan, daan and Valmiki Jayanti. Both are correct.
Sharad Purnima 2026 at a glance
| Date and time (IST) | |
|---|---|
| Kheer, jagran and Kojagari Lakshmi Puja | Night of Sunday, 25 October |
| Purnima tithi | about 11:55 AM, 25 Oct to 9:41 AM, 26 Oct |
| Purnima snan, daan, Valmiki Jayanti | Monday, 26 October |
| Kartik snan begins (Purnimanta calendar) | from 26 October |
Moonrise times vary by city. Follow your family's rule for which day to fast: some keep the vrat on the day the full moon is seen (25 October), others on the sunrise tithi (26 October).
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Sharad Purnima 2026: Quick Guide
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What is Sharad Purnima?
Sharad Purnima is the full moon of the month of Ashwin, which marks the end of the monsoon and the start of autumn. It is said that on this night the moon shines with all sixteen kalas, and its rays carry amrit. The night has several names across India:
- Kojagari Purnima in Bengal, Odisha and Assam, when Lakshmi is believed to move through the world asking "Ko jagarti?" ("Who is awake?") and to bless those she finds awake in devotion.
- Raas Purnima in Braj, the night of Krishna's Maha Raas with the gopis.
- Kumar Purnima in Odisha, and Kojagiri in Maharashtra, where families share masala milk under the moon.
How to keep kheer in the moonlight
- Make a simple kheer of rice, milk and sugar or jaggery in the evening.
- Offer it first to Lakshmi or Krishna in your puja.
- Set it in open moonlight on the terrace or balcony, covered with a thin muslin cloth, for a few hours or through the night.
- Share it as prasad the next morning with the family.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja at home
- Clean the puja space and set Lakshmi (and Kuber, if you wish) on a red cloth, facing east.
- Light a ghee lamp and keep diyas at the entrance, as Lakshmi is welcomed into a lit home.
- Offer flowers, rice, betel leaves, fruit, sweets and the kheer.
- Recite the Lakshmi mantra or Shri Suktam, then do aarti.
- Keep a jagran, staying awake with bhajans and prayer as long as you can.
The start of Kartik, the holiest month
In the North Indian calendar, Sharad Purnima closes Ashwin and opens Kartik, the month of the dawn bath (Kartik snan), the evening lamp (deepdaan) and devotion to Vishnu. The month runs through Karva Chauth (29 Oct), Ahoi Ashtami (1 Nov), Diwali (8 Nov), Devuthani Ekadashi and Tulsi Vivah (20 Nov) to Kartik Purnima on 24 November.
Tulsi Vivah & Kartik Maas 2026 is your companion for the whole month: the Kartik 2026 calendar from Sharad Purnima to Kartik Purnima, Kartik snan and deepdaan, Devuthani Ekadashi, the Tulsi Vivah ceremony step by step, and the Damodar Ashtakam with meaning. Instant PDF, ₹199.
Four days later comes Karva Chauth. See our Karva Chauth 2026 guide, and every date of the season in our Hindu Festival Calendar 2026–27.
Frequently asked questions
When is Sharad Purnima in 2026?
The Sharad Purnima night is Sunday, 25 October 2026. The Purnima tithi continues until about 9:41 AM on Monday 26 October, which some calendars list as the Purnima day.
Why is kheer kept in the moonlight on Sharad Purnima?
It is believed that on this night the moon shines with all sixteen kalas and its rays carry amrit, which blesses the kheer. It is shared as prasad the next morning.
What is Kojagari Lakshmi Puja?
The worship of Lakshmi on Sharad Purnima night, especially in Bengal, Odisha and Assam. Lakshmi is believed to ask "Who is awake?" and to bless those keeping vigil.
Is Sharad Purnima the same as Kojagiri Purnima?
Yes. It is the same full moon, known as Kojagari or Kojagiri Purnima, Raas Purnima and Kumar Purnima in different regions.
How many days after Sharad Purnima is Karva Chauth?
Four days. In 2026, Karva Chauth is on Thursday 29 October.
Customs vary between families and regions; where yours differ, follow your family's tradition.