Sharad Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the Ashwin month. In 2025, Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on Monday, 6th October 2025. This festival is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, Moon God, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Kartikeya. On this day, the Moon is believed to shine with all its sixteen kalas, showering nectar-like rays upon the Earth. It also marks the change of season and the onset of Sharad (autumn). There is a tradition of placing kheer under the moonlight at night, which is believed to gain medicinal properties. This festival conveys the message of aligning one’s lifestyle with nature’s rhythms along with deep spiritual devotion. 

What is Sharad Purnima Festival?

Sharad Purnima is a significant and sacred festival in Sanatan Dharma, also known by other names such as Kojagari Purnima, Raas Purnima, and Kumar Purnima. This day symbolizes the complete manifestation of all sixteen phases (kala) of the Moon, and it is the only night of the year when the Moon is full of all sixteen kalas. On this night, the Moon showers nectar-like rays upon Earth, which are considered spiritually and medicinally significant. In India, this festival is celebrated for health, prosperity, and good fortune. It is a tradition to prepare kheer (sweet rice pudding) at night and place it under the moonlight, which is believed to infuse it with medicinal properties. 

Sharad Purnima Date & Time 2025

• Sharad Purnima Festival Date: October 6, 2025, Monday Purnima Tithi Begins: October 6, 2025, Monday at 12:26 P.M Purnima Tithi Ends: October 7, 2025, Tuesday at 09:18 A.M Kheer Offering Night (Main Purnima): October 6, 2025, Monday, night under moonlight Snan-Daan Purnima: October 7, 2025, Tuesday, after sunrise 

 Story of Sharad Purnima

The festival of Sharad Purnima not only celebrates the Moon’s complete beauty through its sixteen kalas but also carries inspiring mythological stories that reflect deep devotion, faith, and austerity. One such tale is of two sisters, which clearly demonstrates the power of sincere observance of the Sharad Purnima fast.  

a) The Life and Attitude of Two SistersOnce upon a time, a wealthy merchant lived in a village with his two daughters. Both sisters used to observe the Sharad Purnima fast, but their devotion and method of observance were vastly different. The elder sister was deeply religious, disciplined, and full of faith. Every year, she would perform the Sharad Purnima rituals properly during the evening, offering Arghya to the Moon and following all the rules of the fast without fail. In contrast, the younger sister treated the fast as a mere formality and show. She lacked genuine interest and failed to follow the complete set of rules. She often broke the fast halfway through. 

b) Marriage and Life Changes Time passed, and both sisters got married. After marriage, the elder sister was blessed with healthy and beautiful children. However, the younger sister faced the opposite — every time she gave birth, the child would die shortly after birth. This tragic situation deeply saddened the younger sister. Suffering from repeated losses, she approached a saint and shared her pain.  

c) The Saint’s Advice and RealizationThe saint listened to her attentively and said, “You treated the Purnima fast as a formality, lacking true devotion and dedication. That is why you are facing unfortunate consequences in life.” Affected by the saint’s words, the younger sister admitted her mistake and resolved to observe the upcoming Sharad Purnima with full devotion and proper rituals. 

d) The Impact of the Fast and the Miraculous EventAs promised, the younger sister observed the Sharad Purnima fast with full faith. That same year, she gave birth to a son — but tragically, the child died immediately after birth. Still, she did not lose hope. Believing that her elder sister had the blessings of Lord Chandra (Moon God), she devised a plan. She placed the lifeless infant on a small bed, covered him with cloth, and invited her elder sister, requesting her to sit on that very bed. As the elder sister sat down, her clothes brushed against the child. Miraculously, the baby came back to life and started crying. The elder sister was shocked and scolded the younger one for placing the baby carelessly. At that moment, the younger sister revealed the truth — that the child had died but was revived through the power of the fast, her faith, and the elder sister’s divine touch. This miracle was the result of Sharad Purnima’s divine grace and the blessings of the Moon God. Sharad Purnima: RitualsThe following are the major rituals observed on the night of Sharad Purnima:

Fasting throughout the day (especially by women) Placing kheer or milk under moonlight at night Offering Arghya to the Moon Worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Chandra Night vigil (staying awake with bhajans and kirtans) Cleaning the house and lighting lamps 

Benefits of Sharad Purnima1. The Moon’s rays bring calmness and mental peace. 2. Kheer placed under moonlight acquires medicinal properties. 3. The fast grants wealth, health, and good fortune. 4. It helps relieve mental stress and insomnia. 5. One receives special blessings from Goddess Lakshmi. Sharad Purnima Puja Vidhi (Worship Method)1) Morning Preparation: Wake up early, take a holy bath, and wear clean clothes. Purify the worship area with Ganga water. 2) Altar Setup: Place a red cloth on a wooden platform and install an idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi. 3) Kalash Sthapana: In a copper pot, place five grains, curd, honey, Ganga water, coins, sacred thread (mauli), mango leaves, and coconut. Fill it with Ganga water and place a mango leaf flag on it. 4) Offerings: Offer red flowers, rice (Akshat), Roli, sandalwood, perfume, and other fragrant items to Goddess Lakshmi. Offer garments and ornaments to the deities. Perform the complete puja with invocation, seat offering, achman, garment offering, fragrance, Akshat, flowers, incense, lamps, food, betel nut, and Dakshina. 5) Aarti and Bhog: Light a ghee lamp and perform aarti to Goddess Lakshmi. Offer kheer, fruits, and sweets as bhog. 6) Moon Worship & Kheer Offering: At night, place kheer made from cow’s milk under the moonlight. At midnight, offer it to Goddess Lakshmi. When the Moon rises, perform Moon puja and offer kheer as naivedya. 7) Distribution of Prasad: The kheer kept in moonlight should be distributed to the family the next morning as prasad. Offer the same to Brahmins and donate generously. Sharad Purnima Mantra JaapChanting the following mantras on this day yields special benefits:a) Chandra Dev Mantra: “Om Shraam Shreem Shroum Sah Chandraya Namah” b) Goddess Lakshmi Mantra: “Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah” c) Peace-Giving Mantra: “Om Som Somaya Namah” Importance of Sharad Purnima

This night is considered ideal for meditation, spiritual practices, and devotion. The Moon’s rays help eliminate diseases, mental stress, and negative thoughts. Eating kheer on this night is considered medicinal, especially for those with pitta and vata imbalances. Goddess Lakshmi is believed to roam the Earth on this night and bless those who observe vigil. 

  Religious Significance of Sharad Purnima1. Religious Beliefs:A. Lord Krishna’s Raas Leela: On this night, Lord Krishna performed the divine Raas Leela with the Gopis in Vrindavan. This dance represents the supreme spiritual unity between the devotee and the divine. B. Descent of Goddess Lakshmi: It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi roams the Earth on this night and blesses those who observe the fast and stay awake. C. Day of Wealth, Fortune, and Prosperity: This day is especially auspicious for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Chandra to seek wealth, health, and success. 2. Fullness of the Moon:a) On this day, the Moon is complete with all sixteen kalas, which is given great importance in Ayurveda. b) The Moonlight on Sharad Purnima night is considered nectar-like, purifying the body, mind, and soul. 3. Fast and Kheer Tradition:a) A fast is observed and Moon worship is performed at night.  b) Kheer is traditionally kept under the moonlight to absorb its medicinal qualities. c) The next morning, consuming this kheer as prasad is believed to bring health and mental peace. 4. Other Religious Observances:a) Devotees bathe in the Ganga or other holy rivers and perform charity. b) This night is highly auspicious for spiritual practices, mantra chanting, and meditation. c) Observing this fast is said to destroy sins of multiple lifetimes. Frequently Asked Questions

1. In which states is Sharad Purnima celebrated?Sharad Purnima is celebrated across almost all Indian states, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. 2. Why do we celebrate Sharad Purnima?This day is observed to worship the full powers of the Moon and to receive the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. It is considered especially auspicious for health, purification of the mind, and prosperity. 3. What should we do on Sharad Purnima?

Observe a fast Worship Goddess Lakshmi and Moon God Prepare and place kheer under moonlight Stay awake at night  Offer Arghya to the Moon 

4. How to celebrate Sharad Purnima at home?You can celebrate by worshipping Lakshmi, preparing kheer, lighting lamps, singing bhajans, and performing Moon worship. 5. How to perform Sharad Purnima Puja?After bathing, keep a fast, worship Lakshmi and Chandra Dev, prepare kheer, place it under the moonlight, and consume it as prasad the next morning. 6. When does Sharad Purnima 2025 start?Sharad Purnima in 2025 will begin on 6 October at 12:26 PM and end on 7 October at 9:18 AM. The kheer offering and Moon worship will be done on the night of 6 October, and charity and religious activities will be done on the morning of 7 October. 7. What should not be done on Sharad Purnima?

Sleeping during the day Lying or speaking harshly Eating kheer before exposing it to moonlight Eating in unclean places 

8. What should be done on Sharad Purnima?

Keep a full day fast Worship the Moon at night Perform night vigil Place kheer under moonlight Chant mantras 

9. Why is it called Sharad Purnima?This full moon occurs in the Sharad (autumn) season, hence the name “Sharad Purnima”.

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