"Sharad Purnima 2026: October 25 Date, Tithi, Moonrise, Kheer and Kojagari Lakshmi Puja"

Sharad Purnima is the full moon of the Hindu month of Ashwin, the one that follows Navratri and Dussehra. It is also called Ashwina Purnima, Kojagari Purnima in Bengal and Kumar Purnima in Odisha. In North India it is linked with Krishna's Raas Leela and is sometimes called Raas Purnima.

Nothing here has happened yet. The festival is a week away, and every timing below is a calculated value taken from published panchang pages, not our own astronomical work.

Sharad Purnima 2026 Date and Timings

These figures use Hyderabad. Sunrise, moonrise and tithi boundaries move by several minutes between cities, and in some places by more. Use a panchang for your own town before planning anything time-sensitive.

Why Some Calendars Say October 26

You may see Monday, October 26 on some pages. SmartPuja, for example, gives October 26 while quoting the same tithi window of 11:55 AM on October 25 to 9:41 AM on October 26. The two readings use different rules.

Sharad Purnima is celebrated at night, when the moon is full and high. The tithi begins around midday on the 25th, so it is already running when the moon rises that evening. DekhoPanchang says the date follows the midnight, or Nishita Kaal, rule, and that rule points to the night of the 25th as well, which is why we follow October 25.

A calendar that prefers the tithi in force at sunrise would point to the 26th, since the tithi is still running at dawn on that day. Neither approach is a mistake. They apply different traditions, and temples and communities often follow their own panchang. The ritual night itself, the moonlit evening of October 25 into the early hours of October 26, is shared by both.

Drik Panchang adds a reminder about location. Its page for Houston, Texas, gives moonrise at 5:41 PM and a tithi from 1:25 AM to 11:11 PM on October 25, local time. The numbers shift by place, but the observance falls on the same night.

What Sharad Purnima Means

The word sharad refers to the post-monsoon autumn season. The skies are clearer then, and the full moon is traditionally described as being at its brightest. SmartPuja says the day is linked to the idea of "Amrit", or nectar, falling from the moon, which is why moonlight is treated as special.

Three strands of tradition meet on this night, and which one matters most depends on where you live.

Kheer in the moonlight

The best known custom is to prepare kheer with milk, rice, nuts and saffron, cover it with a fine net and leave it where the moonlight falls. SmartPuja says it is eaten as prasad the next morning. The reason given is the belief about the moon's nectar. This is a religious custom, and we make no health claim for it.

Kojagari Lakshmi Puja in Bengal and Odisha

In West Bengal and Odisha the night is Kojagari Lakshmi Puja. SmartPuja explains that devotees stay awake, and that Lakshmi is believed to ask "Ko Jagarti?", meaning "Who is awake?" HinduTone lists Kumar Purnima in Odisha on the same date. The name Kojagara comes from that idea of keeping vigil.

HinduTone gives no fixed puja muhurat and advises worshipping Lakshmi after moonrise. We therefore name none. Your local temple or panchang is the reliable guide.

Raas Purnima in Braj

In the Braj region of North India the night is remembered as Krishna's Raas Leela, which is why it is called Raas Purnima there.

Where It Fits in the Festival Season

Sharad Purnima closes the run of autumn festivals that began with Navratri. Dussehra falls on October 20 in most calendars, and Papankusha Ekadashi on October 22. Valmiki Jayanti follows on October 26 per HinduTone, and Diwali is next. See our Dussehra guide, the Papankusha Ekadashi guide and the Diwali 2026 calendar.

Practical Notes for Readers

• Find your city's moonrise. The moon may rise about half an hour earlier or later than the Hyderabad figure. SmartPuja gives a general range of roughly 5:30 PM to 5:50 PM, so the pages differ.
• Weather. Cloud cover is common after the monsoon in some regions. Plan an indoor alternative for the kheer custom if needed.
• Fasting. HinduTone also calls the day Ashwina Purnima Vrat. Whether you fast, and for how long, is a family or temple decision.
• Holiday status. October 25 is a Sunday. We did not verify state holidays for October 26, so check your state list.
• Clocks abroad. If you follow a temple in the UK or Europe, clocks go back on October 25, which changes local moonrise times that evening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the date of Sharad Purnima in 2026?

Sunday, October 25 in most calendars. Some give Monday, October 26 because they follow a different tithi rule.

When does the Purnima tithi begin and end?

For Hyderabad, about 11:55 AM on October 25 to about 9:41 AM on October 26.

What is Kojagari Purnima?

It is the Bengal and Odisha name for the night, when Lakshmi is worshipped and devotees traditionally stay awake.

Why is kheer left in the moonlight?

The custom is linked to the belief that the moon's nectar falls on this night. It is eaten as prasad the next morning.

Is Valmiki Jayanti on the same day?

HinduTone lists it on Monday, October 26, the next day.

Conclusion

Sharad Purnima 2026 is best planned around moonrise on the evening of Sunday, October 25. Check your city's panchang for the tithi, then read our October 25 date overview for what else falls that day.