The full moon night of Sharad Purnima holds a special place in Hindu tradition. Devotees celebrate this occasion with prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, offerings of sweets, and rituals associated with the bright autumn moon. Many households also prepare rice kheer and leave it under the moonlight as part of the festival’s age-old customs.

Sharad Purnima is also known as Kojagari Purnima. According to popular religious beliefs, staying awake and worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this night is associated with blessings of wealth, happiness and prosperity. If you are planning to observe Sharad Purnima this year, here are the important dates, Lakshmi Puja timings and rituals to know.

Sharad Purnima 2026 Date and Purnima Tithi

Sharad Purnima will be observed on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

As per the Panchang details reported for the festival, the Purnima Tithi will begin at approximately 11:58 AM on October 25 and end at around 9:42 AM on October 26.

The festival is celebrated on the full moon night of the Ashwin month. Devotees observe the occasion through fasting, prayers, Lakshmi Puja and traditional moonlight rituals.

Sharad Purnima 2026 Lakshmi Puja Muhurat

The late-night period is considered particularly significant for Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.

According to the reported timings, the auspicious window for performing the puja is approximately 11:39 PM on October 25 to 12:30 AM on October 26.

Devotees can use this time to offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, chant mantras and seek blessings for their families. Since the precise muhurat can vary depending on the city and Panchang calculations, it is advisable to confirm the local timings before beginning the rituals.

Why Do Devotees Worship Goddess Lakshmi on Sharad Purnima?

Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as the deity of wealth, fortune and prosperity. Sharad Purnima is traditionally associated with her blessings, making it an important occasion for devotees who pray for financial stability, happiness and peace at home.

The festival is popularly called Kojagari Purnima because of the belief associated with the question, “Ko Jagarti?”, which means “Who is awake?” According to traditional belief, Goddess Lakshmi visits the Earth during this night and blesses those who remain awake in devotion.

For this reason, many devotees perform Lakshmi Puja around midnight. Some families observe a fast, while others spend the night chanting mantras, singing bhajans and reading religious texts.

The full moon also has a special place in the celebration. Its brightness is traditionally associated with completeness, nourishment and spiritual well-being.

Sharad Purnima Puja Vidhi: How to Perform the Rituals

Devotees can follow these traditional steps to celebrate Sharad Purnima at home.

1. Take a Bath and Prepare for the Puja

Wake up early in the morning and take a bath before beginning the day’s rituals. Wear clean clothes and prepare for the puja with devotion. Those observing a fast can take a sankalp according to their family customs.

2. Arrange the Puja Samagri

Clean the home temple and place a red or yellow cloth on a wooden chowki. Install the idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu.

Keep flowers, akshat, incense sticks, a diya, sweets, fruits and other offerings ready. Having the puja samagri arranged beforehand makes it easier to perform the rituals peacefully.

3. Offer Prayers to Goddess Lakshmi

Light a diya and begin the puja by offering flowers, incense and naivedya to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. Offer sweets or kheer as bhog and pray for prosperity, happiness and the well-being of your family.

You can also perform the Lakshmi aarti and recite traditional prayers as part of the worship.

4. Place Rice Kheer Under the Moonlight

Preparing kheer is one of the most popular customs associated with Sharad Purnima.

To follow this tradition, cook rice in milk with sugar and cardamom. Once the kheer is ready, offer it to the deities before placing it in a clean vessel under the moonlight.

According to religious belief, the moonlight on Sharad Purnima is considered especially auspicious, and the kheer is later consumed as prasad.

Keep the food protected from dust and insects while following this custom.

5. Chant the Mahalakshmi Mantra

Devotees can chant the following mantra during the puja:

Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah.

Repeat the mantra with devotion while praying for abundance, peace and good fortune. Listening to Lakshmi bhajans or reciting devotional hymns is another way to spend the sacred night.

6. Stay Awake During the Night

Night-long worship is an important tradition of Kojagari Purnima. Devotees may remain awake to sing bhajans, chant mantras and offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi.

Families can perform the rituals together and spend the night in a devotional atmosphere.

7. Distribute Kheer Prasad

On the morning after Sharad Purnima, the kheer prepared for the occasion is traditionally distributed among family members as prasad.

Devotees observing a fast can conclude it according to their family traditions and customary religious practices.

What Is the Significance of Keeping Kheer Under Moonlight?

The custom of placing kheer under the full moon is one of the most distinctive aspects of Sharad Purnima celebrations.

According to traditional beliefs, the moonlight on this night is associated with amrit, or divine nectar. Rice kheer is prepared, offered to the deities and placed under the moonlight before being shared as prasad.

This ritual is followed by many families as a symbol of devotion, nourishment and togetherness. The practice also gives the festival its distinctive connection with the autumn full moon.

Things to Keep in Mind During Sharad Purnima Puja

Devotees can keep a few simple practices in mind while observing the festival:

• Clean the puja area before beginning the rituals.
• Arrange the puja samagri and offerings in advance.
• Perform Lakshmi Puja according to your family’s traditions.
• Confirm the auspicious timing using your local Panchang.
• Keep the kheer covered appropriately to maintain food hygiene.
• Spend time in prayer, mantra chanting or devotional singing.

Sharad Purnima is an occasion to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and celebrate the spiritual significance of the full moon. Through Lakshmi Puja, traditional offerings and night-long devotion, families mark the festival with prayers for prosperity, happiness and peace.

Consult an expert pandit to get your kundali checked and get personalized suggestions for you. You can also book Pandit Narayan Sharma ji for online puja and puja on video call/call.

Acharya Narayan Sharma ji is the best Pandit in Delhi NCR and one of the most famous astrologers in India with clients from all across the world. Pandit ji is available to come to perform puja in Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad & Udaipur or he can also perform online puja on call or video call. Connect with him today. His remedies are easy and very effective. Click on the WhatsApp button to talk to him today!

best pandit in delhi, best astrologer in india, best pandit in delhi, best astrologer in delhi ncr

best pandit in delhi, best pandit in delhi ncr, book pandit online, Book Pandit Online, Pandit for Puja, Hire Pandit for Home Puja, Experienced Vedic Pandit, Online Pandit Booking, Same Day Pandit Booking, Pandit with Pooja Samagri, North Indian Pandit for Puja, Brahman pandit in south delhi