Sharad Purnima 2027शरद पूर्णिमा
Sharad Purnima 2027 is on Friday, October 15, 2027. The moon of sixteen kalas, the Maha Raas katha, why kheer is left in the moonlight, and the Kojagari Lakshmi vigil.
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The story of Sharad Purnima
On this one full moon of Ashwina the moon is said to rise with all sixteen kalas complete, the only night of the year it is whole in every part. It is the night of the Maha Raas: Krishna played the flute on the bank of the Yamuna and the gopis came, and he multiplied himself so that each one danced with him alone and none was left waiting. The night is said to have lasted the length of a night of Brahma.
It is also called Kojagari Purnima, from ko jagarti, who is awake: Lakshmi is said to walk the earth this night asking that question, and to stay where she finds a household still awake and lit. So kheer is set out under the open moon to take in its light, and eaten at dawn as medicine as much as prasad, on a night the old texts call the most healing of the year.
How Sharad Purnima is celebrated
| Kheer in the moonlight | rice kheer is cooked and left under the open moon through the night in a silver or clay vessel, then eaten at dawn. |
| Jagran | the household stays awake with bhajan and the Raas katha, since Lakshmi is said to seek out those who are awake. |
| Lakshmi puja | a lamp is kept burning at the door and Lakshmi is worshipped at midnight in many homes. |
| Moon darshan | arghya is offered to the full moon, and in Braj the Raas Lila is performed through the night. |
Bengal and Odisha keep Kojagari Lakshmi Puja as a major night of the year; Gujarat keeps Sharad Poonam with garba and doodh-poha; Braj performs the Maha Raas at Vrindavan; and in Mithila and Bihar it is kept with kheer and the night vigil.
Frequently asked questions
When is Sharad Purnima in 2027?
Sharad Purnima is on Friday, October 15, 2027, the Purnima of Ashwina. Moonrise based: outside India the date can differ by a day.
Why is kheer kept in the moonlight?
The moon of this night is held to be complete in all sixteen kalas and to carry a healing, amrita-like quality, which the kheer is left out to receive. It is eaten at dawn as prasad and, traditionally, as medicine.
What does Kojagari mean?
It comes from ko jagarti, who is awake. Lakshmi is said to move through the world this night asking the question, and to remain in the homes she finds awake, lit and welcoming.
Is Sharad Purnima the same as Kojagari Purnima?
Yes, the same night under two names: Sharad Purnima for the season of sharad it opens, and Kojagari for the Lakshmi vigil kept through it. Braj adds a third name, Raas Purnima, for the Maha Raas.
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Dates are verified against authoritative Panchang sources (Drik Panchang, New Delhi). Traditions vary by family and region; for muhurat and puja vidhi please also consult your family panditji.