Sharad Purnima: Significance, Rituals, and Spiritual Meaning of the Full Moon Festival

Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojagari Purnima, Kaumudi Vrat, or Raas Purnima, is one of the most spiritually significant full moon nights in Hindu tradition. Falling in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September–October), it marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the cool autumn nights. Sharad Purnima 2025 will be celebrated with immense devotion, rituals, and cultural festivities across India.

This festival holds deep religious, scientific, and cultural significance, making it not just a day of rituals but also a celebration of health, prosperity, and divine blessings.

The Spiritual Significance of Sharad Purnima

Blessings of Maa Lakshmi

• According to Hindu belief, Maa Lakshmi descends to Earth on this night, visiting homes and blessing those who remain awake with wealth, prosperity, and abundance.

• This is why Sharad Purnima is also called Kojagari Purnima—derived from the Sanskrit words “Ko Jagarti,” meaning “Who is awake?”

The Night of Divine Energy

• The moon on Sharad Purnima is believed to shine with 16 Kalas (divine qualities), making it spiritually powerful.

• These lunar rays are said to have medicinal and healing effects, rejuvenating the body and mind.

Krishna Ji’s Raas Leela

• In Vrindavan and Mathura, the festival is linked with Krishna Ji’s Raas Leela with the Gopis.

• It symbolizes the union of the human soul with the divine, where devotion overcomes all worldly attachments.

Rituals and Traditions of Sharad Purnima

Fasting and Night Vigil

• Devotees observe a day-long fast, breaking it only after worshipping the moon at night.

• Staying awake throughout the night (Jagran) is considered auspicious, as it invites Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings.

Worship of Maa Lakshmi

• Homes and temples are decorated with lights, diyas, and flowers.

• Devotees perform Lakshmi Puja with offerings of rice, milk, and sweets.

Offering Kheer Under the Moonlight

• A unique tradition of Sharad Purnima is preparing kheer (sweet rice pudding with milk and rice) and keeping it under the open sky overnight.

• It is believed that the moonlight infuses the kheer with healing properties. The next morning, it is consumed as Prasad, believed to bring health and longevity.

Charity and Donations

• Offering food, clothes, and essentials to the poor and needy is a common practice, believed to invite divine grace.

Scientific Importance of Sharad Purnima

• Cooling Effect of Moonlight: On this night, the moon is closest to the Earth, and its rays are considered to have a soothing and nourishing effect on the human body.

• Nutritional Enhancement of Kheer: Keeping kheer in moonlight is believed to enhance its medicinal qualities, especially beneficial for the digestive system and overall health.

• Change of Season: The festival also marks the transition from monsoon to winter, reminding people to adjust their diet and lifestyle for the coming season.

Regional Variations in Celebrations

West Bengal & Odisha – Kojagari Lakshmi Puja

• Women observe a strict fast and worship Maa Lakshmi with grandeur.

• Cultural programs and community gatherings are held late into the night.

Maharashtra – Kojagiri Celebrations

• People stay awake, enjoying milk-based delicacies, folk music, and moonlit gatherings on rooftops or in open spaces.

Uttar Pradesh & Bihar – Raas Leela

• Sharad Purnima is celebrated with Krishna Raas Leela plays, devotional songs, and bhajans.

Gujarat – Garba and Dandiya

• Devotees perform Garba and Dandiya Raas, celebrating the divine love of Krishna and Radha.

Sharad Purnima Vrat Katha (Mythological Story)

A popular story tells of a poor Brahmin woman who observed Kojagari Vrat with devotion, staying awake the whole night and praying to Maa Lakshmi. The Goddess was pleased and blessed her with immense wealth and prosperity. Since then, devotees observe this fast with faith, hoping to invite similar blessings.

Why Sharad Purnima is Special

• It is the only full moon night of the year when moonlight is considered nectar-like (Amritmaya).

• It unites science and spirituality, where the cool rays of the moon meet divine blessings.

• The festival is a celebration of abundance, devotion, and seasonal change, bringing communities together.

Sharad Purnima 2025 Date & Time

• Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

• Purnima Tithi Begins: 02:11 PM (Oct 7, 2025)

• Purnima Tithi Ends: 03:35 PM (Oct 8, 2025)

Sharad Purnima is more than just a religious festival—it is a blend of devotion, health, and cosmic energy. Staying awake under the full moon, offering prayers to Maa Lakshmi, and partaking in moonlight-infused kheer symbolize the harmony between nature, spirituality, and human life.

By observing this sacred night, devotees believe they invite prosperity, happiness, and inner peace into their lives.

Frequently Asked Questions on Sharad Purnima

Q. What is the significance of Sharad Purnima?

• Sharad Purnima marks the brightest full moon night of the year. It is believed that Maa Lakshmi blesses devotees with wealth and prosperity, while the moonlight has medicinal and healing properties.

Q. Why do we keep kheer under moonlight on Sharad Purnima?

• Kheer is kept under the open sky so that the moonlight can infuse it with cooling and nourishing energy. Eating it the next morning is considered beneficial for health and longevity.

Q. Why is Sharad Purnima called Kojagari Purnima?

• The term “Kojagari” comes from the Sanskrit “Ko Jagarti,” meaning “Who is awake?” It refers to the belief that Goddess Lakshmi visits homes on this night to bless those who remain awake with prosperity.

Q. Is fasting compulsory on Sharad Purnima?

• Fasting is considered auspicious but not compulsory. Many devotees observe a day-long fast and break it only after offering prayers to the moon at night.

Q. What is the connection between Sharad Purnima and Krishna Ji?

According to legends, Krishna Ji performed the Raas Leela with the Gopis of Vrindavan on this night. This divine dance represents the eternal bond between the soul and the Supreme.

Q. How is Sharad Purnima celebrated in different states?

• In West Bengal & Odisha, it is celebrated as Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.

• In Maharashtra, people enjoy moonlit gatherings with milk and sweets.

• In Uttar Pradesh & Bihar, Raas Leela plays are performed.

• In Gujarat, devotees perform Garba and Dandiya.

Q. What is the scientific importance of Sharad Purnima?

The full moon on Sharad Purnima emits strong rays that are believed to have a soothing effect on the body and mind. It also signifies the seasonal shift from monsoon to winter, encouraging dietary and lifestyle adjustments.

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