Sharad Purnima 2026 in USA: Sun, Oct 25 — Puja Time by City

How the Sharad Purnima date is decided

The night on which Purnima prevails at Nishita (local midnight) — the Kojagari night; if Purnima covers Nishita on two nights, the second one (when it also covers the evening). Kheer is kept in the moonlight after moonrise.

Significance

Ayurveda regards the sharad season as pitta-dominant and this night's moonlight as cooling and medicinal — leaving milk-rice kheer in the moonlight is said to enhance its qualities. Hence the folk custom of giving this kheer to asthma patients.

It is a vrat for Lakshmi's grace — women fast on the Purnima, offer arghya to the moon at moonrise, worship Lakshmi at night and keep vigil; next morning they share the kheer as prasad and break the fast.

In Braj this is the night of Shri Krishna's Maharaas — on this very Purnima Krishna danced the raas with the gopis; hence also Raas Purnima.

Puja vidhi (brief)

1. Bathe in the morning and take the sankalp — 'I keep the Sharad Purnima vrat for Lakshmi's grace and the family's prosperity.' Take fruit during the day.
2. In the evening clean the home temple or puja place; install an idol/picture of Lakshmi and of Krishna/Radha-Krishna on a red or yellow cloth.
3. Cook kheer of milk, rice and sugar (with saffron, cardamom and dry fruits) — in a brass or silver vessel, without a lid, covered with a fine cloth or mesh.
4. At moonrise (time above) offer arghya of water and milk to the moon from the terrace/courtyard and show the lamp; chant 'Om Som Somaya Namah' or the Chandra mantra.
5. Place the kheer vessel on an open terrace or courtyard where direct moonlight falls; cover with mesh so insects and birds stay away. At least until midnight, traditionally the whole night.
6. Lakshmi puja at night: lamp, flowers, lotus (if available), kheel-batasha, white sweets, perfume; recite Shri Sukta, Lakshmi Chalisa or chant 'Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah'. Keep doors and windows open and lamps lit.
7. Vigil (jagran): bhajan-kirtan, katha, or at least stay awake till midnight remembering Lakshmi — the 'ko jagarti' tradition.
8. In the morning (or after midnight) offer the moonlit kheer first to Lakshmi and the moon, then share it as prasad in the family and break the fast. Give it to the sick, children and elders too.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sharad Purnima 2026 on the same day in USA and India?

No. India: Sunday, October 25, 2026; New York (USA): Sunday, October 25, 2026. The tithi is judged at the local deciding moment, which falls on a different calendar day here.

What is the puja time for Sharad Purnima 2026 in New York?

Moonrise: 5:31 PM (EDT). Other cities are in the table above.

Which time zone are these timings in?

Each row is in that city's own local time with daylight saving applied (Eastern Time (EST/EDT) for New York).

How long should the kheer stay in the moonlight?

From moonrise until at least midnight; traditionally the whole night, with prasad in the morning. Keep it covered with mesh.

Does the kheer really become medicine?

This is folk and Ayurvedic belief — the cool moonlight of sharad with milk and rice is considered pitta-pacifying. Take it as faith and tradition; treat any illness only with a doctor.

What is the difference between Sharad Purnima and Kojagari?

Both are the same tithi — Ashwin Purnima. North India stresses the kheer and the moon, while Bengal-Odisha-Mithila-Maharashtra call it 'Kojagari' and stress Lakshmi puja and the vigil.

How to break the Sharad Purnima fast?

Next morning offer the moonlit kheer to Lakshmi and the moon and break the fast with that prasad; if you kept vigil, the prasad may be taken after midnight too.

Daily panchang in USA

Read more

Other years