Sharad Purnima Puja Vidhi · शरद पूर्णिमा पूजा विधि

When

Sharad Purnima falls on Ashvin Purnima, the full moon of Ashvin. It is also called Kojagari Purnima, Ras Purnima and Kaumudi Vrat. It is believed to be the one night of the year when the Moon is full with all sixteen kalas (phases), and its rays are said to carry amrit. See the Sharad Purnima page for the date.

The fast and the puja

• Rise before sunrise, bathe and take the sankalp for the fast.
• Worship Lakshmi, with Vishnu, and the Moon; Om Jai Lakshmi Mata is widely sung.
• Hear the Sharad Purnima vrat katha, the story of a moneylender's two daughters, one who kept the full-moon fast fully and one who did not.

The night

• When the Moon has risen, offer it arghya of water and milk, with rice and white flowers.
• Make kheer of rice and cow's milk and leave it in the moonlight overnight. Eat it the next morning as prasad.
• Tradition says Lakshmi moves about the world on this night and blesses those who are awake, so many keep a night vigil. In Braj the night is Ras Purnima, remembered as the night of Krishna's ras with the gopis, and ras lila is staged in some places.

Customs differ by region and community: follow your family's way where it differs.

Sharad Purnima is the full moon of Ashvin, held to be the one night when the Moon is full with all sixteen kalas. It is kept with worship of Lakshmi and the Moon, a night vigil, and kheer left in the moonlight to be eaten the next morning as prasad. This page gives the observance as the published guides listed below describe it. Customs differ by region and community: follow your family's way where it differs.