Sharad Purnima 2026: Shubh Muhurat, Puja Vidhi, Snan-Daan Muhurat, Katha and Mahatva

Introduction

There is something special about a full moon night in autumn. The air feels pleasant, the sky looks beautiful, and the soft moonlight creates a peaceful atmosphere. In Hindu tradition, this night holds a special place as Sharad Purnima, one of the most auspicious full moon festivals of the year.

Sharad Purnima is associated with devotion to Goddess Lakshmi, prayers to the Moon God, and the divine Raas Leela of Lord Krishna. Across India, families celebrate the occasion by preparing kheer, performing puja, observing a fast, and spending time in prayer under the full moon.

The festival is also known as Kojagari Purnima, Raas Purnima, and Sharad Poonam in different regions. Although customs vary from one community to another, the central message remains the same: faith, gratitude, generosity, and spiritual well-being.

If you are planning to observe the festival this year, here is everything you need to know about Sharad Purnima 2026, including its date, shubh muhurat, puja vidhi, Snan-Daan Muhurat, vrat katha, and religious significance.

When Is Sharad Purnima in 2026?

Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on Sunday, 25 October 2026, according to commonly followed Hindu Panchang calculations. The associated Purnima Tithi continues into the morning of 26 October.

The main moonlight rituals and Kojagari observances are traditionally performed on the night of 25 October. Devotees who follow the sunrise-based tradition for Purnima Snan and Daan should check the local Panchang for 26 October.

Here are the important festival details:

Festival: Sharad Purnima 2026

Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026

Purnima Tithi begins: Approximately 11:55 AM on 25 October

Purnima Tithi ends: Approximately 9:41 AM on 26 October

Hindu month: Ashwin

Lunar phase: Shukla Paksha Purnima

Main deities worshipped: Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, and Chandra Dev, according to regional traditions

Popular ritual: Preparing kheer and offering prayers under the moonlight

Tithi timings are based on published Panchang calculations for New Delhi and may differ slightly by source and location. Always verify local timings before performing a time-sensitive ritual.

Sharad Purnima 2026 Shubh Muhurat

The shubh muhurat is important for devotees who wish to perform Lakshmi Puja, observe Kojagari rituals, or offer prayers during the night.

For New Delhi, commonly published Panchang timings give the following details:

These timings are reference timings for New Delhi, not universal timings for every Indian city.

Sharad Purnima 2026 Muhurat in Jaipur

For devotees in Uttar Pradesh one published Panchang lists the Nishita Puja Muhurat as approximately 11:46 PM on 25 October to 12:37 AM on 26 October. The local moonrise is listed at around 5:08 PM.

Since different Panchang sources can use different calculation methods, confirm the final timings with a trusted local calendar or priest before planning the puja.

The most important thing is to follow the tradition appropriate to your family and region rather than relying on a time published for a different city.

What Is the Significance of Sharad Purnima?

Sharad Purnima falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Ashwin. It is traditionally regarded as a particularly auspicious night for worship, prayer, and spiritual reflection.

According to Hindu beliefs, the Moon on this night is associated with all sixteen kalas, or aspects of completeness. The full moon is therefore viewed as a symbol of fulfilment, harmony, and abundance.

The festival has several important religious associations.

1. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi

Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as the deity of wealth, prosperity, good fortune, and well-being.

In several regions, devotees believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits the earth on Sharad Purnima night and blesses those who remain awake in prayer. This belief is associated with the name Kojagari, commonly explained through the question, “Ko jagarti?”, meaning “Who is awake?”

Devotees perform Lakshmi Puja, light diyas, chant prayers, and ask for blessings for their families and homes.

2. The Divine Raas Leela of Lord Krishna

Sharad Purnima is also known as Raas Purnima, especially in the Braj region.

According to Krishna traditions, Lord Krishna performed the Maha Raas with the gopis of Vrindavan on this beautiful full moon night. The story represents divine love, complete devotion, and the soul's longing for a connection with God.

For devotees of Lord Krishna, the festival is an opportunity to remember his teachings and celebrate the beauty of bhakti, or loving devotion.

3. The Importance of Chandra Dev

The Moon God, Chandra Dev, is also honoured during Sharad Purnima.

Devotees offer prayers and water to the Moon as an expression of gratitude. In Hindu tradition, the Moon is associated with calmness, beauty, and the mind.

The full moon's gentle appearance adds to the spiritual atmosphere of the festival.

4. The Tradition of Kheer

One of the best-known customs of Sharad Purnima is preparing rice kheer and placing it under the open sky in the moonlight.

According to popular belief, the moonlight on this night is associated with amrit, or divine nectar. The kheer is later offered to the deity and distributed as prasad.

For many families, this simple ritual is one of the most memorable parts of the celebration.

These beliefs are part of religious and cultural tradition. They should not be interpreted as scientific evidence that moonlight changes the medicinal properties of food.

Sharad Purnima Puja Vidhi

The puja can be performed at home with simple arrangements. You do not necessarily need an elaborate setup to observe the festival meaningfully.

Here is a traditional approach that can be adapted to your family's customs.

Step 1: Clean the House and Puja Area

Begin by cleaning the home and preparing a peaceful place for worship. Many devotees decorate the entrance with rangoli and place diyas around the house.

Wear clean clothes and arrange the puja materials in advance.

Step 2: Take a Bath and Make a Sankalp

Take a bath according to your family's tradition and make a sincere resolve, known as sankalp, to observe Sharad Purnima with devotion.

If you are observing a fast, follow the rules that are appropriate for your health and religious practice.

Step 3: Prepare the Puja Samagri

Commonly used puja materials include:

An image or idol of Goddess Lakshmi or Lord Vishnu

A picture or idol of Lord Krishna, if worshipped

A diya and cotton wicks

Incense sticks

Flowers

Kumkum and akshat, or unbroken rice

Fruits and sweets

Water for offerings

A small quantity of milk and rice for preparing kheer

Some items may vary according to regional traditions.

Step 4: Worship Goddess Lakshmi

Place the deity's image on a clean altar and light a diya.

Offer flowers, fruits, sweets, and other customary items while praying for wisdom, prosperity, peace, and the well-being of your family.

You may chant Lakshmi mantras or recite prayers that your family traditionally follows.

Step 5: Offer Prayers to Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna

Many devotees also worship Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna on Sharad Purnima.

You can recite Vishnu mantras, read a passage from the Bhagavad Gita, or sing devotional bhajans. In Krishna temples and parts of Braj, the evening may include special devotional programmes celebrating the Raas Leela.

Step 6: Prepare Kheer

Prepare rice kheer using milk, rice, sugar, and any permitted flavourings according to your family's recipe.

Once it is ready, set aside a portion for the deity. Many devotees place the kheer outdoors under the moonlight, covered with a clean, food-safe mesh or lid that allows air to circulate while protecting it from insects and dust.

Follow your family's tradition for the timing of this ritual.

Step 7: Perform Aarti

Perform the aarti of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu, or the deity you worship.

Offer your prayers with gratitude and distribute the prasad among family members when the ritual is complete.

Step 8: Stay Awake for Kojagari Puja

In communities that observe Kojagari Purnima, devotees may remain awake for part or all of the night, chanting prayers, reading scriptures, or singing bhajans.

The night vigil is a traditional expression of devotion. Those who cannot stay awake for the entire night can observe the festival according to their ability and family custom.

Sharad Purnima Snan-Daan Muhurat 2026

Snan and Daan are important parts of many Hindu full moon observances.

Snan means ritual bathing, while Daan means giving or donating. These practices are traditionally associated with purification, generosity, and spiritual merit.

For Sharad Purnima 2026, the Purnima Tithi continues until approximately 9:41 AM on Monday, 26 October, according to the New Delhi Panchang.

In traditions that follow the sunrise-based observance for Purnima Snan and Daan, devotees may perform these rituals on the morning of 26 October. However, the appropriate day and timing can vary according to regional customs and the Panchang rule being followed.

How to Perform Sharad Purnima Snan

Devotees who follow the traditional bathing ritual can:

Wake up early in the morning.

Bathe at home or at a sacred water body where it is safe and permitted.

Wear clean clothes after bathing.

Offer prayers to the Sun God and remember the deity they worship.

Make a sincere resolve to practise truthfulness, kindness, and generosity.

A bath at a pilgrimage site or sacred river is part of some families' traditions, but travelling to one is not necessary for everyone.

What Should You Donate on Sharad Purnima?

Charity is encouraged in many Hindu traditions on Purnima.

Depending on your means, you may donate:

Food grains or rice

Freshly prepared meals

Clothes and blankets

Fruits and other essential supplies

Money to a reputable charitable organisation

School supplies for children in need

The purpose of Daan is to help others, not to show wealth or seek recognition. Even a modest donation made sincerely can be meaningful.

Important: There is no single Snan-Daan time that applies to every city and every tradition. Check your local Panchang for the exact observance you follow.

Sharad Purnima Vrat Katha

The stories associated with Sharad Purnima vary across regions. Two of the most familiar traditions involve Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Krishna.

The Story of Kojagari Lakshmi

According to a popular religious belief, Goddess Lakshmi travels through the world on the night of Sharad Purnima, asking, “Ko jagarti?” or “Who is awake?”

The story is connected with the idea of staying alert, devoted, and mindful rather than spending the night carelessly.

Devotees who remain awake in prayer believe they are welcoming Goddess Lakshmi's blessings into their homes. They perform puja, light lamps, chant prayers, and ask for prosperity accompanied by peace and good conduct.

The story also carries a simple lesson: prosperity is most meaningful when it is accompanied by gratitude, responsibility, and generosity.

The Story of Lord Krishna's Maha Raas

Another important tradition connects Sharad Purnima with Lord Krishna's Maha Raas in Vrindavan.

According to devotional accounts, the full moon illuminated the forests of Vrindavan as Krishna participated in the divine dance with the gopis.

The story is understood as a spiritual expression of love and devotion. The gopis' longing for Krishna symbolises the soul's desire to be close to the divine.

For Krishna devotees, remembering the Raas Leela on Sharad Purnima is a way of celebrating faith, surrender, and the joy of bhakti.

Different communities may recite longer versions of these stories or follow separate regional vrat kathas. Devotees can follow the version traditionally observed in their family or temple.

Why Is Kheer Kept in the Moonlight on Sharad Purnima?

The tradition of keeping kheer under the moonlight is one of the most recognisable customs associated with Sharad Purnima.

Kheer is usually prepared using rice and milk, although recipes differ between households. Once prepared, it is placed outdoors where it can receive moonlight and is later offered to the deity as prasad.

According to popular Hindu belief, the moonlight on Sharad Purnima is associated with amrit, the nectar of immortality. The kheer is therefore considered especially auspicious.

For many families, the ritual is also an opportunity to gather together, pray, and share a traditional food.

How to Keep Kheer Under the Moonlight

Prepare the kheer using fresh ingredients.

Transfer it to a clean, food-safe container.

Cover it with a suitable lid or fine mesh to keep insects and dust away.

Place it in a safe outdoor area where the moonlight can reach it.

Offer it to the deity according to your tradition.

Store any leftovers safely and refrigerate perishable food promptly.

It is worth remembering that moonlight does not make food automatically sterile or medically beneficial. Avoid leaving milk-based kheer at room temperature for extended periods, especially in warm conditions.

What Should You Do and Avoid on Sharad Purnima?

Devotees often follow certain customs to keep the day peaceful and spiritually meaningful.

Things to Do

Worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu, or Lord Krishna according to your tradition.

Offer prayers to Chandra Dev.

Prepare kheer and share it as prasad.

Read or listen to religious stories.

Donate food or essential supplies to people in need.

Spend time with family and participate in devotional activities.

Practise kindness, gratitude, and self-discipline.

Things to Avoid

Speaking harshly or deliberately hurting others.

Wasting food or treating charitable acts as a display of wealth.

Ignoring your health to observe a strict fast.

Leaving food uncovered outdoors where it may become contaminated.

Relying on generic online timings without checking your local Panchang.

These suggestions reflect common devotional values. Specific customs and restrictions may differ from one family or region to another.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sharad Purnima 2026

1. When is Sharad Purnima in 2026?

Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on Sunday, 25 October 2026. The Purnima Tithi continues into the morning of 26 October.

2. What is the Sharad Purnima shubh muhurat in 2026?

For New Delhi, a commonly published Kojagari Nishita Puja Muhurat is 11:40 PM on 25 October to 12:31 AM on 26 October. The appropriate time may differ in other cities and according to the ritual being performed.

3. When is Sharad Purnima Snan-Daan in 2026?

In traditions following the sunrise-based observance, Purnima Snan and Daan may be performed on the morning of 26 October, before the Purnima Tithi ends at approximately 9:41 AM in New Delhi. Follow your local Panchang for the correct timing.

4. Which God is worshipped on Sharad Purnima?

Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, and Chandra Dev are associated with Sharad Purnima. The principal deity and rituals vary by region.

5. Why is kheer prepared on Sharad Purnima?

Kheer is traditionally placed under the moonlight because of the belief that the full moon's rays are associated with amrit. It is later offered to the deity and shared as prasad.

6. Is fasting compulsory on Sharad Purnima?

No single fasting practice applies to everyone. Some devotees observe a full fast, while others eat permitted foods or simply participate in the puja. People with health concerns should avoid restrictive fasting without appropriate medical guidance.

7. Why is Sharad Purnima also called Kojagari Purnima?

The name is associated with the traditional question, “Ko jagarti?”, meaning “Who is awake?” According to popular belief, Goddess Lakshmi visits the earth on this night, and devotees stay awake in prayer to seek her blessings.

8. What is the spiritual significance of Sharad Purnima?

Sharad Purnima symbolises devotion, prosperity, completeness, gratitude, and spiritual reflection. It is associated with Lakshmi Puja, the Moon God, and Lord Krishna's Maha Raas.

9. Can we keep kheer under the moonlight at home?

Yes. Many families follow this tradition at home. Use a clean, covered container and handle the kheer safely, as milk-based food can spoil if left unrefrigerated for too long.

10. What should we donate on Sharad Purnima?

Devotees commonly donate food, rice, clothes, money, or other useful items to people in need. Choose a donation that is practical for your circumstances and give it with a sincere intention to help.

Conclusion

Sharad Purnima is much more than a beautiful full moon night. It brings together devotion to Goddess Lakshmi, the spiritual traditions associated with Lord Krishna, prayers to Chandra Dev, and the simple joy of sharing kheer with loved ones.

Whether you celebrate by performing Lakshmi Puja, observing a fast, offering Snan-Daan, reading a vrat katha, or sitting with your family under the moonlit sky, the festival offers an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with your spiritual values.

As Sharad Purnima 2026 approaches, prepare for the occasion by checking the local Panchang, arranging your puja materials, and deciding how you would like to observe the day.

May Goddess Lakshmi bless every home with peace, wisdom, and prosperity. May Lord Krishna inspire love and devotion, and may the full moon of Sharad Purnima bring happiness and harmony to all.

Shubh Sharad Purnima 2026!