The night of Sharad Purnima is one of the brightest nights of the year. Unlike other full moons, this one is marked by special significance because the moon shines with all its sixteen kalaas, or phases, making its light deeply nourishing for both body and mind. From preparing kheer and placing it under the moonlight to observing fasts for Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu, every ritual of Sharad Purnima is filled with devotion and symbolic meaning.

It is also a night remembered for divine stories: Krishna’s Maha Raas with the Gopis, the worship of Chandra Dev, and the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. For many households, Sharad Purnima is not only a night of prayer but also a festival of health, prosperity, and divine grace. Let us explore its date, timings, rituals, significance, and the magical tradition of night fasting.

Sharad Purnima 2025 Date and Timings

In 2025, Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Purnima Tithi Begins: October 6 at 12:23 pm

Purnima Tithi Ends: October 7 at 9:16 am

Moonrise on Sharad Purnima Day: 5:22 pm

This is the ideal time for offering Arghya (water offering) to Chandra Dev, preparing prasad, and performing puja rituals. Worshipping the moon during this period brings divine blessings of health, wealth, and happiness.

Why Sharad Purnima is Spiritually Powerful

Sharad Purnima is the only night when the moon is said to shine in its complete form, showering nectar-like rays upon the Earth. This is why food items like kheer, when kept under the moonlight, are believed to absorb divine healing properties. Eating this kheer as prasad the next morning is considered to strengthen immunity, calm the mind, and bring inner balance.

This night is also associated with Maha Raas, when Lord Krishna played the flute and danced with the Gopis of Vrindavan, expanding himself to dance with each one of them. The night is believed to have been stretched to the length of one night of Brahma, symbolising divine love beyond time.

In eastern India, the festival is also called Kojagara Purnima, a night of staying awake in honour of Goddess Lakshmi, who blesses those who observe the fast with abundance and prosperity.

Sharad Purnima 2025 Puja Rituals

Observing Sharad Purnima rituals requires devotion and discipline. Here’s how you can observe it:

• Morning Bath and Sankalp (Vow): Begin the day by bathing in a holy river or at home with Ganga jal mixed in water. Take a vow to observe the fast and worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu, and Chandra Dev.

• Fasting: Devotees observe a day-long fast, often broken only after the moonrise rituals at night. This fast is considered a way to purify the body and attract divine grace.

• Puja Preparations: Arrange a clean altar with idols or images of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Chandra Dev. Offer fresh clothes, flowers, fruits, incense, and lamps.

• Kheer Preparation: Cook rice kheer with cow’s milk and sugar. This dish plays the central role in the rituals of Sharad Purnima.

• Arghya to the Moon: At moonrise, offer arghya prepared with milk, rice, and white flowers. This ritual honours Chandra Dev and invites his blessings for peace and health.

• Kheer in Moonlight: Place the prepared kheer in a silver or clay vessel under the moonlight overnight. The next morning, distribute it as prasad among family members and neighbours.

• Charity and Donations: Donate food, clothes, rice, and money to the needy. Charity on this night is especially auspicious and attracts Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings.

The Importance of Kheer in Sharad Purnima

Kheer is not just symbolic but a spiritual medicine on this night. Milk, rice, and sugar are all cooling and calming elements. When exposed to the full moon’s rays, they absorb lunar energy, which transform it into nectar. Eating this kheer balances physical health and promotes emotional calmness. You can place the kheer under the moonlight after 8 pm. The vessel is usually left uncovered so it can soak in the cooling rays completely, though you may also keep it under a transparent glass lid. While the kheer rests, families chant mantras, sing hymns, and share stories about Krishna’s Raas Leela. Later, they eat it together, making the ritual not only sacred but also a moment of faith, togetherness, and joy.

Sharad Purnima and Goddess Lakshmi

Another important aspect of Sharad Purnima is the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Staying awake the entire night in devotion is believed to attract her blessings, ensuring abundance in the household. Chanting the Lakshmi Mul Mantra or reciting the Om Jai Jagdish Hare Aarti on this night strengthens the bond with the goddess. You can listen and chant along on AstroSure.ai to connect deeply during the puja.

Health and Spiritual Benefits of Sharad Purnima Fasting

• Strengthens immunity and digestion when moonlight-infused kheer is consumed.

• Calms anxiety and stress by aligning the body’s energy with lunar vibrations.

• Enhances financial stability through Goddess Lakshmi’s grace.

• Encourages inner peace and devotion by staying awake and meditating at night.

Regional Celebrations of Sharad Purnima

• Vrindavan and Mathura: Celebrated as Raas Purnima with devotional songs, dance, and Krishna Leela enactments.

• Gujarat: Known as Sharad Poonam, where devotees sing Garba and Dandiya all night in open courtyards.

• West Bengal and Odisha: Observed as Kojagara Purnima, where families stay awake and worship Lakshmi.

Each region adds its cultural beauty, but the essence remains the same: honouring the moon, fasting, and welcoming divine blessings.

Sharad Purnima 2025, falling on October 6, is more than a festival; it is a union of health, wealth, and spiritual awakening. The moon’s nectar-like light, Krishna’s Raas Leela, and Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings make this full moon night one of the most sacred in the calendar. Whether you are fasting, preparing kheer, or simply sitting under the glowing moon, this night has the power to heal and uplift your life.

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