Posted by Soultheory Editorial Team
on October 05, 2026
Sharad Purnima 2026 is the full moon night of Ashwin, the brightest moon of the autumn and the night many Indian families set a bowl of kheer under open sky. It closes the Navratri and Dussehra stretch, and in Bengal, Odisha and Mithila it is also Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, the night the goddess is traditionally believed to ask "who is awake?". This guide gives the exact date and timings, the kheer ritual step by step, a simple Lakshmi puja, what to wear, and how to use the moonlit night for your crystals.
Sharad Purnima 2026 date and timings
Sharad Purnima falls on Sunday, 25 October 2026. The Purnima tithi begins around noon on 25 October and ends at about 9:41 AM on 26 October (IST), so the full moon night, the moonlit kheer and the Kojagari midnight puja all belong to Sunday night. Some calendars print Monday 26 October because the tithi is still running at sunrise that day; that morning is used for the Purnima snan and daan, not for the moon ritual.
| What | When (IST, Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Purnima tithi begins | Around 11:55 AM, Sunday 25 October |
| Moonrise | Early evening, roughly 5:30 to 5:50 PM (varies by city) |
| Kheer placed under the moon | After moonrise, usually 9 to 10 PM |
| Kojagari Nishita puja window | About 11:45 PM to 12:36 AM |
| Purnima tithi ends | About 9:41 AM, Monday 26 October |
What Sharad Purnima means
Sharad Purnima marks the end of the monsoon and the start of clear autumn skies. Per Vedic tradition, this is the one full moon of the year when the moon shines with all sixteen kalas (phases of completeness), and its light is traditionally believed to carry amrit, the nectar of the gods. That belief is the root of the kheer ritual. The festival is described in more detail on Wikipedia's Sharad Purnima page.
Kojagari: "Ko jagarti?"
The name Kojagari comes from the Sanskrit question "ko jagarti?", meaning "who is awake?". According to traditional belief, Goddess Lakshmi moves from home to home on this night and blesses the households she finds awake and lamps lit. That is why families keep a night vigil with bhajans, stories and board games.
Raas Purnima and Shri Krishna
In Braj and in Vaishnava homes, the same night is Raas Purnima. The Srimad Bhagavatam describes Shri Krishna's Maha Raas with the gopis on an autumn full moon night in Vrindavan, and temples hold special darshan and kirtan.
How Sharad Purnima is celebrated across India
| Region | Name of the day | Main observance |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal, Assam, Tripura | Kojagari Lakshmi Puja | Lakshmi puja at home, alpana on the floor, khichuri and naru bhog |
| Odisha | Kumar Purnima, Gaja Lakshmi Puja | Unmarried girls pray to Kumar (Kartikeya), Gaja Lakshmi pandals |
| Maharashtra | Kojagiri Purnima | Masala milk cooled under the moon, shared at midnight |
| Mithila (Bihar) | Kojagara | First Kojagara of a newly married groom, makhana and paan shared with family |
| Gujarat | Sharad Poonam | Garba and raas under the full moon, doodh pauva |
| Braj, Vrindavan | Raas Purnima | Raas leela darshan and night kirtan |
How to do the Sharad Purnima kheer ritual at home
The kheer ritual is the most widely followed part of the night. It is simple, it suits any home, and it takes about an hour of active work.
What you need
- Full fat milk and rice (or poha in Gujarat, makhana in Mithila)
- Sugar or jaggery, cardamom and a few strands of saffron
- A silver, steel or clay bowl (avoid plastic)
- A thin muslin cloth or a sieve plate to cover the bowl
- A clean spot on the terrace, balcony or a window ledge that catches moonlight
- A diya and a few white flowers for the offering
Steps
- Bathe in the evening and wear clean, light coloured clothes.
- Cook the kheer slowly and add cardamom and saffron at the end.
- After moonrise, offer a little water (arghya) to the moon from a lota.
- Place the covered bowl where moonlight falls on it, ideally by 9 or 10 PM.
- Keep it there for at least three to four hours, or until early morning.
- Before sunrise, offer a spoon to your family deity, then share it as prasad.
If you are keeping the vrat
Many women keep a day fast and break it after offering arghya to the moon. Phalahar (fruit, milk, makhana, sabudana) is common through the day. If you have a health condition or are pregnant, keep a lighter observance and check with your doctor first.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja at home step by step
In Bengali and Odia homes, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is the main event of the night. A home puja can be done in under an hour.
A simple Lakshmi puja
- Clean the puja corner and draw alpana or rangoli with small footprints walking inward, so Lakshmi "enters" the home.
- Place an image or idol of Lakshmi on a red or yellow cloth, with a kalash of water and mango leaves.
- Light a ghee diya and keep it burning through the night.
- Offer flowers, kumkum, rice, sweets and fruit; in Bengal, khichuri and coconut naru are traditional.
- Read the Lakshmi panchali or chant a short Lakshmi mantra 108 times on a mala.
- Stay awake till the Nishita window, then offer aarti.
What to wear on Sharad Purnima
White, ivory and silver are the classic colours for the night because they mirror the moon. In Bengal, many women wear a white or red-bordered saree for Lakshmi puja; in Gujarat it is a light chaniya choli for garba.
Moonstone, the moon stone that is fully plant and mineral
Pearl is the stone classically linked to Chandra (the Moon), but it comes from an oyster, which many Jain and Vaishnav families avoid. Moonstone is a mineral with the same soft white glow and is traditionally associated with the moon, calm and intuition, so it suits the night without that conflict. We explain the difference in is pearl vegetarian?.
Charging crystals under the Sharad Purnima moon
Because this is considered the fullest moon of the year, many people use it to recharge their crystals. Set them out on a cloth after moonrise and bring them in before sunrise. For the full method, see how to charge crystals: 7 traditional Indian methods.
Stones that suit moonlight charging
- Moonstone, the most traditional choice for a full moon
- Rose quartz, which can fade in strong sunlight, so moonlight is gentler
- Amethyst, which is also sensitive to sunlight
- Clear quartz, for overall cleansing
- Citrine and pyrite, for a Lakshmi themed intention
- Rudraksha beads, wiped dry first
Recommended Soultheory bracelets for Sharad Purnima
These are the Soultheory pieces that fit the night best. Each is in stock and ships across India.
Moonstone Natural Stone Buddha Bracelet
Soft white moonstone beads that echo the full moon, and a vegetarian friendly alternative to pearl. Easy to wear with a white or ivory outfit. View the Moonstone Buddha Bracelet.
7 Mukhi Original Nepali Copper Rudraksha Bracelet
The 7 mukhi bead is traditionally associated with Goddess Mahalakshmi, which makes it a fitting choice for Kojagari night. View the 7 Mukhi Rudraksha Bracelet.
Citrine Bracelet with Golden Hematite
Golden citrine is traditionally linked with abundance and pairs well with the yellow and red of a Lakshmi puja outfit. View the Citrine Bracelet.
Selenite Crystal Recharging Plate
If you want to charge your bracelets on the full moon night without leaving them outdoors, rest them on this plate by a moonlit window. View the Selenite Recharging Plate.
For more moon themed pieces, browse the full Soultheory moonstone collection. If you are already planning festival shopping, our Dhanteras 2026 buying guide is the next stop, and the Navratri 2026 colours guide covers the days just before.
FAQ: Sharad Purnima 2026
Is Sharad Purnima on 25 or 26 October?
The full moon night is Sunday 25 October. The tithi runs into the morning of Monday 26 October, which is why some calendars list that day, but the kheer and Kojagari puja are done on Sunday night.
Why is kheer kept in moonlight on Sharad Purnima?
It is traditionally believed that the moon shines with all sixteen kalas on this night and that its rays carry amrit. Kheer left under the moon is then eaten as prasad the next morning.
What is Kojagari Lakshmi Puja?
It is the Lakshmi puja done on Sharad Purnima night in Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Mithila. According to traditional belief, Lakshmi visits homes asking "who is awake?" and blesses those keeping the vigil.
Which colour should I wear on Sharad Purnima?
White, ivory and silver are the classic choices because they reflect the moon. Red and yellow are common for Lakshmi puja in Bengal.
Can I charge my crystals on Sharad Purnima?
Yes. Place them on a cloth after moonrise and bring them in before sunrise. Keep selenite and other water sensitive stones indoors by a window.
Important note: Information shared here reflects traditional Vedic beliefs and cultural practices. Individual experiences vary. This content is for educational and cultural purposes only - it is not medical, financial, or psychological advice. Consult qualified professionals for health, financial, or other personal decisions.
