Sharad Purnima 2025: Date, Time, Puja Vidhi, Kojagiri Festival & Significance

Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojagiri Purnima, Kaumudi Purnima, or Raas Purnima, is one of the most celebrated full moon nights in the Hindu calendar. It holds immense religious, spiritual, and cultural significance across India. This auspicious occasion falls in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September–October) when the bright moon shines with all its glory, marking the change of season and symbolizing abundance, prosperity, and devotion.

Sharad Purnima is also deeply associated with Lord Krishna’s Maha Raas Leela, Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings, and the tradition of worshipping the moon. It is believed that on this night, the moon showers divine nectar (Amrit) on Earth, which has healing properties and enhances health and prosperity.

In 2025, Sharad Purnima will be observed with great devotion, and devotees will stay awake all night, perform Kojagiri Lakshmi Puja, and enjoy the sacred tradition of Kheer kept under moonlight.

Sharad Purnima 2025 Date & Time

According to the Hindu Panchang, the date and timing of Sharad Purnima 2025 are as follows:

Sharad Purnima Date: Monday, October 6, 2025
Purnima Tithi Begins: October 6, 2025, at 12:23 PM
Purnima Tithi Ends: October 7, 2025, at 09:16 AM

On this day, the moon is said to shine with its full brilliance, and devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu, and the moon to seek blessings of wealth, happiness, and health.

Significance of Sharad Purnima

1. Spiritual Significance

Sharad Purnima is the only full moon night of the year when the moon is believed to shower divine nectar on Earth. The moonlight is considered spiritually energizing and beneficial for physical and mental health. Devotees believe that keeping food items, especially kheer (sweet rice pudding with milk and sugar) under moonlight, imbibes healing and divine qualities.

2. Association with Goddess Lakshmi

This night is also called Kojagiri Purnima—derived from the Sanskrit phrase “Ko Jagarti?” meaning “Who is awake?” It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi descends to Earth on this night and blesses those who remain awake with prosperity and good fortune.

3. Lord Krishna’s Maha Raas Leela

In Vrindavan and Mathura, Sharad Purnima is celebrated as Raas Purnima, when Lord Krishna is said to have performed the divine Maha Raas with Radha and the Gopis. This symbolizes the highest form of devotion (Bhakti), where the soul unites with the Supreme.

4. Cultural Importance

Sharad Purnima marks the end of monsoon and the beginning of the winter season. Farmers celebrate this festival as a time of gratitude for good harvest and prosperity. It is also a festival of community gatherings, night vigils, and devotional singing.

Rituals and Puja Vidhi of Sharad Purnima 2025

The Sharad Purnima Puja is performed with utmost devotion, combining rituals of Lakshmi Puja, Moon worship, and night vigil. Here is the step-by-step puja vidhi:

1. Morning Preparations

Devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, and wear clean or new clothes.
Homes are cleaned and decorated with rangoli and lamps to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.

2. Lakshmi Puja

An idol or picture of Maa Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu is placed on a clean altar.
Offerings of flowers, fruits, sweets, and specially prepared kheer are made.
Devotees recite Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali or Sri Sukta for wealth and prosperity.

3. Moon Worship (Chandra Puja)

At night, devotees prepare kheer or milk-based sweets and place them in earthen pots under the open sky.
Water, flowers, and incense are offered to the moon.
Devotees chant moon mantras such as “Om Chandraya Namah” to receive blessings of health and peace.

4. Night Vigil (Jagran)

Families stay awake throughout the night singing bhajans, performing aarti, and narrating stories of Lord Krishna and Goddess Lakshmi.
It is believed that those who remain awake on this night are blessed by Goddess Lakshmi herself.

5. Consumption of Moonlight Kheer

In the morning, devotees eat the kheer that was kept under moonlight overnight. It is considered highly auspicious and beneficial for health, filled with divine nectar.

Sharad Purnima Kheer Tradition

One of the most unique aspects of Sharad Purnima is the kheer ritual. Devotees prepare kheer with milk, rice, and sugar, place it under the moonlight in silver or earthen pots, and cover it with a thin cloth. The belief is that moon rays on this night are filled with healing nectar, which enhances the purity and benefits of the food.

Consuming this “Amrit Kheer” the next morning is believed to cure health problems, strengthen immunity, and bring prosperity.

Kojagiri Festival – The Night of Awakening

Sharad Purnima is also called Kojagiri Purnima or Kaumudi Mahotsava, widely celebrated in states like Maharashtra, Odisha, Bengal, and Gujarat.

In Maharashtra, families gather on terraces, drink spiced warm milk, sing devotional songs, and spend the night in festivity.
In Odisha and Bengal, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped, and the Kojagiri vrat is observed.
In Gujarat and Vrindavan, it is celebrated with grandeur as Raas Purnima, commemorating Lord Krishna’s divine Raas Leela.

The tradition of staying awake all night signifies alertness, prosperity, and readiness to welcome Goddess Lakshmi into one’s home.

Fasting on Sharad Purnima

Many devotees observe a fast (vrat) on this day:

Some keep a nirjala vrat (without water) until moonrise.
Others observe a partial fast, consuming only fruits, milk, or sattvic food.
The fast is broken the next morning after offering kheer to the moon and Goddess Lakshmi.

Fasting is believed to purify the body and mind, strengthen self-discipline, and bring divine blessings.

Sharad Purnima in Different Regions of India

North India: Celebrated as Raas Purnima with Krishna Bhajans, Raas Leela performances, and moon worship.
West Bengal & Odisha: Known as Kojagiri Lakshmi Puja, with rituals dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.
Maharashtra: Families enjoy Kojagiri milk on terraces while staying awake all night.
Gujarat: Devotees celebrate it as the divine night of Krishna’s Maha Raas.

Health & Scientific Relevance of Sharad Purnima

Ayurveda suggests that moonlight on Sharad Purnima night has cooling and healing properties.
Scientific studies claim that moon rays are richest in energy on this night, improving metabolism and immunity.
Consuming kheer infused with moonlight is believed to help balance the body’s pitta dosha.

Sharad Purnima & Folklore

There are many folk tales associated with Sharad Purnima:

A king once lost his kingdom due to negligence, but when he observed Kojagiri fast, Goddess Lakshmi restored his prosperity.
In Vrindavan, devotees recall the eternal love of Radha-Krishna during the Maha Raas performed on this night.

Conclusion

Sharad Purnima 2025, falling on October 6 (Monday), is not just a festival of the full moon but a divine night filled with spirituality, devotion, and cultural beauty. From worshipping Goddess Lakshmi to celebrating Krishna’s Raas Leela, from preparing moonlit kheer to staying awake all night in joy, this festival blends health, prosperity, and devotion.

By observing Sharad Purnima with faith, devotees invite peace, abundance, and divine grace into their lives.

Sharad Purnima 2025: Date, Time, Puja Vidhi & Kojagiri Festival