Sharad Purnima 2026
Ashwin Purnima · Ashwin Purnima · Vikram Samvat 2083
Significance
Legend holds that moon showers amrit (nectar) on this night; Kojagiri Puja.
Ashwin hosts Sharad Navratri and culminates in Dussehra. Sharad Purnima is uniquely the only night in the year when the moon is believed to emit Amrit (divine nectar), making kheer placed under the open sky a medicinal food.
The 29.5-day synodic cycle arises because the Moon must "catch up" with the Sun as Earth advances along its own orbit. On Purnima night, the Moon rises near sunset and sets near sunrise — it is visible above the horizon all night. The IST peak time listed is the astronomically exact moment of 180° solar-lunar elongation as measured from Earth's geometric centre.
How to Observe Sharad Purnima
Prepare kheer (rice pudding with full-fat milk, sugar, and saffron) and leave it uncovered under the open sky after moonrise to absorb moonlight — eat it at midnight. The Charaka Samhita states this night's moonlight carries healing properties. Organise a Lakshmi puja with incense and diyas. This night is also associated with Krishna's Maharaas dance in Vrindavan.