Kojagiri Purnima 2026, also called Sharad Purnima, falls on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The Purnima tithi starts at 11:55 AM IST on October 25 and ends at 9:41 AM IST on October 26. In New Delhi, the moon rises around 5:00 PM, and the Kojagara Lakshmi Puja muhurat runs from 11:40 PM to 12:31 AM.
If you saw “कोजागिरी पौर्णिमा” trending on Google this morning and wondered whether the festival is today or tomorrow, you’re not alone. I had the same doubt, because some calendars print October 25 and some print October 26. So I checked the panchang timings and put everything in one place: the date, the puja time, what people actually do on this night, and a simple way to make the famous moonlight kheer or masala milk at home.
Kojagiri Purnima 2026: Key Facts
- Festival: Kojagiri Purnima / Sharad Purnima / Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
- Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026 (the night of October 25 into October 26)
- Purnima tithi begins: 11:55 AM IST, October 25, 2026
- Purnima tithi ends: 9:41 AM IST, October 26, 2026
- Moonrise (New Delhi): around 5:00 PM on October 25
- Kojagara Puja Nishita time (New Delhi): 11:40 PM on October 25 to 12:31 AM on October 26 (about 51 minutes)
- Hindu month: full moon of Ashwin (Ashwin Shukla Purnima)
- Main rituals: Goddess Lakshmi puja, night vigil (jagaran), and kheer or milk kept under the moonlight
These timings are for New Delhi and come from Drik Panchang’s Kojagara Puja page. Moonrise and the midnight muhurat shift by a few minutes (sometimes more) depending on your city, so if you’re in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai or anywhere else, check your local panchang before you plan the puja.
Is Kojagiri Purnima on October 25 or October 26?
Short answer: the festival night is October 25.
Here’s why the confusion happens. In a Hindu panchang, a day usually “belongs” to whichever tithi is running at sunrise. On the morning of October 26, Purnima is still running (it ends at 9:41 AM), so some calendars list October 26 as Ashwin Purnima.
But Kojagiri is a night festival. The Lakshmi puja is done at Nishita kaal, which is around midnight, and the full moon has to be present at that time. On the night of October 25, Purnima is fully active, so that’s the night for the puja, the vigil and the kheer. Hindustan Times also lists Sharad Purnima on October 25, citing the same Drik Panchang timings.
What Does “Kojagiri” Mean?
The name comes from the Sanskrit phrase “ko jagarti?”, which means “who is awake?” The popular belief is that on this full moon night, Goddess Lakshmi goes around asking this question and blesses the homes where people are awake and remembering her. That’s why staying up late, or even the whole night, is part of the celebration.
The same night carries other meanings too. Sharad Purnima marks the full moon after the monsoon, when the sky is usually clear and the moon looks very bright. In Vrindavan and Braj, it’s linked with Lord Krishna’s Maha Raas. Many people also believe the moon shines with all its sixteen kalas (phases) on this night, which is why the moonlight is considered special.
How Kojagiri Purnima Is Celebrated Across India
Maharashtra: Masala Milk Under the Moon
In Maharashtra, Kojagiri is a big social event. Families and housing societies gather on terraces, boil milk with saffron, cardamom and dry fruits, offer it to the moon, and then drink it together late at night. Many families also honour the eldest child of the house (called “Aashvin”) on this day.
West Bengal, Odisha and Assam: Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
In Bengal, this night is Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, one of the most important home pujas of the year, coming just days after Durga Puja. Homes are cleaned, alpana (rangoli-style patterns) is drawn at the entrance, and Lakshmi is worshipped with simple bhog. Odisha observes the same full moon as Kumar Purnima, and Assam also celebrates Lakshmi puja on this night.
North India: Kheer in the Moonlight
In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and nearby states, the most common custom is to make rice kheer, cover it with a thin cloth or net, and keep it under the open sky after moonrise. It’s eaten as prasad the next morning. In Braj, temples hold special events around Krishna’s Raas Leela.
How to Do Kojagiri Puja at Home (Simple Steps)
You don’t need a big setup. Here’s a simple routine many families follow:
- Evening: Clean the puja area, light a diya, and keep a picture or idol of Goddess Lakshmi.
- Prepare the prasad: Make kheer or masala milk (recipe below) and let it cool a little.
- After moonrise: Keep the kheer or milk in an open vessel on the terrace, balcony or courtyard where moonlight falls on it. Cover it with a thin muslin cloth or net to keep insects away.
- Lakshmi puja at Nishita time: In New Delhi that’s 11:40 PM to 12:31 AM. Offer flowers, rice, coins and the diya, and say a simple prayer.
- Stay awake for a while: Sing bhajans, chat with family, play board games. That’s the “who is awake?” spirit.
- Next morning: Share the kheer as prasad with everyone at home.
Easy Kojagiri Masala Milk Recipe
This is the version I like because it’s quick and tastes great even if you’re short on time:
- 1 litre full-cream milk
- 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
- A handful of chopped almonds, pistachios and cashews
- 4 to 5 strands of saffron soaked in a spoon of warm milk
- Half a teaspoon of cardamom powder, and a pinch of nutmeg if you like
Boil the milk and keep it simmering on low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens a bit. Add sugar, nuts, saffron and cardamom, cook for another 5 minutes, and switch off the heat. Let it cool, then keep it in the moonlight.
A quick note: the idea that moonlight makes the kheer “healing” is a traditional belief, not something proven by science. Enjoy it for the ritual and the taste, and if the milk sits out all night, keep it covered and make sure it hasn’t spoiled before eating, especially in warmer cities.
Planning Your Sunday in Varanasi?
If you’re in Varanasi, Sunday is also the final day of the IAF show at Namo Ghat, so you could catch that and then watch the moon rise over the ghats. I’ve covered timings in my Wings Over Ganges air show guide.
FAQ
When is Kojagiri Purnima in 2026?
Kojagiri Purnima 2026 is on Sunday, October 25. The Purnima tithi runs from 11:55 AM IST on October 25 to 9:41 AM IST on October 26.
What is the Kojagara Lakshmi Puja time in 2026?
For New Delhi, the Nishita (midnight) muhurat is from 11:40 PM on October 25 to 12:31 AM on October 26, according to Drik Panchang. Other cities will have slightly different timings.
What time is moonrise on Sharad Purnima 2026?
In New Delhi, the moon rises at around 5:00 PM on October 25, 2026. Check your local panchang for your city’s exact moonrise time.
Are Sharad Purnima and Kojagiri Purnima the same?
Yes. They’re different names for the same Ashwin full moon. It’s called Kojagiri in Maharashtra, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja in Bengal, Kumar Purnima in Odisha, and Sharad Purnima in most of North India.
Why is kheer kept in moonlight on Sharad Purnima?
It’s a traditional belief that the moon is at its fullest on this night and its rays bless the food. The kheer is then eaten as prasad the next morning. There’s no scientific proof of health benefits, but it’s a much-loved family custom.
Why do people stay awake on Kojagiri night?
“Kojagiri” comes from “ko jagarti”, meaning “who is awake?” The belief is that Goddess Lakshmi visits homes on this night and blesses those who are awake and worshipping her.
Wishing you and your family a very happy Kojagiri Purnima. Make the masala milk, step out on the terrace, and enjoy the brightest moon of the season.