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In Sanatan Dharma, the full moon day of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month i.e. Sharad Purnima (Kojagari Purnima) is considered to have special spiritual and scientific significance. It is believed that on this auspicious night the moon, filled with all its 16 arts, showers nectar on the earth. To absorb this nectar, the ancient tradition of keeping kheer in the moonlight under the open sky is followed. This time, due to the Purnima Tithi being spread over two days (25 and 26 October), there is doubt in the minds of people as to which night the Kheer will be kept in moonlight and what will be the right time for worship and Arghya of the Moon. According to the almanac rules and scriptures, the complete solution to this doubt has become clear.
There is a clear provision in the scriptures that the fast of Sharad Purnima, worshiping the moon and keeping kheer in moonlight is done on the night when the full moon date is present in Pradosh Kaal and Nishith Kaal (midnight).
According to Panchang calculations:
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Start of Purnima Tithi: On October 25 (Sunday) at 11:55 am.
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End of Purnima Tithi: On October 26 (Monday) at 09:41 am.
Since the Purnima Tithi would have ended on the night of 26th October and the Pratipada of Kartik month would have started, the entire night of the Purnima would be spent only on 25 October (Sunday) Only Ko is getting it. Hence the fast of Sharad Purnima, Kojagari worship of Goddess Lakshmi and The ritual of keeping kheer in moonlight will be performed only on the night of 25 October 2026.. On October 26, holy river bath, charity and Valmiki Jayanti will be celebrated on the full moon day only as per Udayatithi.
The resolution of the fast is considered fulfilled only after darshan, worship and Arghya of the moon on Sharad Purnima.
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Moonrise time (25 October): Between approximately 04:55 pm to 05:02 pm (a difference of a few minutes is possible according to the geography of different cities).
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Rahukaal time: From 04:24 pm to 05:49 pm. (After passing of Rahukaal, it would be best to offer Arghya and worship the Moon from 05:50 pm onwards).
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Amrit Kaal Muhurta: From 05:03 pm to 06:34 pm.
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Nishitha Kaal (Midnight Kojagari Lakshmi Puja): From 11:39 pm to 12:30 pm.
It is a religious belief that during the Nishith period itself, Mother Mahalakshmi roams around the earth saying ‘Ko Jagarti’ (Who is awake) and bestows the boon of unbroken wealth and prosperity to the devotees who keep vigil at night.
After preparing pure sattvik kheer made of cow’s milk, new rice and sugar candy, after moonrise or after 8:00 pm when the moon is completely in the middle of the sky and its cool rays are falling directly on the ground, then the kheer is kept in the open courtyard, balcony or terrace.
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Never close the kheer vessel completely with an airtight lid.
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To protect from dust and insects, tie a clean, fine white cotton cloth or a mesh lid over the vessel, so that the moonlight keeps filtering directly onto the kheer.
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Leave this kheer in the moonlight till midnight or the whole night.
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Next day i.e. on the morning of 26th October, after taking bath in Brahma Muhurta, offer this kheer to God and distribute it as Mahaprasad to the entire family.
After the moon rises in the evening, take pure water in a copper, silver or brass pot. Add some raw cow’s milk, white sandalwood, Akshat (unbroken rice) and white flowers to it.
After this, lift the pot above the head with both hands and face the moon and slowly release the stream of Arghya. While offering Arghya, keep in mind that the water of Arghya does not fall on the feet, for this keep a plate or pot below.
While offering Arghya, chant this divine mantra:“Om Son Somay Namah” Or “Om Kshirputray Vidmahe Amritatvaya Dhimahi, Tanno Chandrah Prachodayat.”
After offering Arghya, offer incense sticks and pray to Chandradev for good health, mental peace and family happiness and prosperity. It is also believed in Ayurveda that kheer kept in the cool moonlight of Sharad Purnima pacifies the Pitta dosha of the body and increases the immunity.
