Sharad Purnima 2025: Rituals, Significance & How to Celebrate Under the Moonlight

Discover the spiritual significance, rituals, and traditions of Sharad Purnima 2025 — why rice kheer is placed under moonlight, auspicious timings, and how devotees observe this sacred night.

Sharad Purnima 2025: A Moonlit Celebration of Divine Grace

Sharad Purnima — also known as Kojagiri Purnima or Rass Purnima — is the full moon night in the month of Ashwin (the bright half), typically falling in September or October. It is considered one of the most auspicious full moon nights in the Hindu calendar. On this night, devotees prepare rice kheer (sweet pudding) and place it under the moonlight, believing the moon’s rays infuse the offering with spiritual and healing qualities.

In 2025, Sharad Purnima falls on 6 October.

This blog explores its spiritual meaning, the key rituals, and how you can observe it meaningfully.

Quick Facts at a Glance

The Spiritual Significance of Sharad Purnima

1. Moon as a Symbol of Nourishment & Healing
   On Sharad Purnima, it is believed that the moonlight (in its full glory) contains “16 kalas” — symbolic divisions of luminosity — which can imbue food placed under it with subtle energies. Devotees believe that the moon’s rays, combined with dew and the cooling night air, sanctify the offering.

2. Blessings of Goddess Lakshmi
   In many traditions, Sharad Purnima is associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed she roams the earth on this night, blessing those who remain awake and worship her with sincerity.

3. Divine Raas of Krishna
   In certain regions, particularly in Braj villages (around Mathura & Vrindavan), Sharad Purnima is revered as the night of Maha-Raas, where Lord Krishna is believed to have danced with the gopis under moonlight.

4. Balance of Light & Dark
   The full moon night is a potent moment of balance — light (moon) reigning over darkness. Spiritually, it is a time for inner illumination, introspection, and reawakening.

Rituals & Traditions: How to Observe Sharad Purnima

1. Fasting & Preparation

Many devotees observe a day-long fast (Nirjala or partial) till moonrise. Before sunset, clean the home, decorate a puja spot, and set aside utensils and ingredients for kheer.

2. Preparing the Kheer

Use rice, milk, cardamom, saffron (if desired), and jaggery or sugar to prepare a simple, sattvic kheer. Some add nuts and raisins.

3. Placing Kheer Under the Moon

Once the moon is visible and full, place the cooked kheer in a silver or clean vessel and expose it to the moonlight outdoors (on the terrace, courtyard, or open ground). Leave it overnight.

4. Overnight Vigil (Jaagran)

Stay awake through devotion, bhajans, reading scriptures, or silent meditation. The devotees believe the more attentive the vigil, the greater the divine grace.

5. Offering & Distribution

The next morning, the kheer is offered to Goddess Lakshmi (or Krishna, depending on tradition) and then distributed as prasad among family and friends.

Auspicious Timings & Dos & Don’ts

• Moonrise Time: Refer to your local Panchang — only place the kheer after the full moon has risen.
• Cleanliness: The location and utensils must be spotlessly clean.
• White / Light Colors: Wear white or light-colored clothes, symbolizing purity.
• No Onion, Garlic, Meat, or Alcohol: Maintain sattvic food and conduct.
• Affirmations & Chanting: Recite Lakshmi mantras, “Om Sri Mahalakshmyai Namah,” or Krishna’s name in regions observing Raas.

Regional Variations

• In Brij region (Mathura/Vrindavan), emphasis is on Raas Leela (dance) observances with devotion toward Lord Krishna.
• In Eastern India / Bengal, the festival is less prominent but observed with worship to moon deities (Chandra) and offerings.
• In West & South India, it’s more aligned with Lakshmi worship and night-long vigil.

FAQs

Q1: Can I eat the kheer before moonrise?
No — the kheer’s exposure to moonlight is the key ritual. Wait for moonrise before placing it out.

Q2: What if the sky is cloudy?
Even if the moon isn’t visible, many devotees still place the kheer outdoors, believing in unseen blessing. But best is to wait till it’s visible.

Q3: Can we prepare anything else?
Yes — some also prepare sattvic sweets like panjiri, halwa, or light snacks. But kheer is primary.

Q4: Is the fast mandatory?
Not mandatory for everyone. If one cannot fast fully, even waking up, reading scriptures, showing devotion, or offering prasad is beneficial.

• Why Offer Milk & Water Before Deities on Ekadashi?
• Navratri Significance & Daily Worship Guide
• Sharad Purnima 2025 Traditions & Significance
• Hindu Calendar & Festivals 2025

Author:
SriVyasapooja Team — Devoted to sharing spiritually enriching insights for seekers