Question 1

When is Sharat Purnima observed?

Accepted Answer

Sharat Purnima falls on the Purnima tithi, or full-moon lunar day, of Shukla Paksha in the lunar month of Ashvina. The tithi current at sunrise governs the observance, so the Gregorian date changes from year to year and must be checked locally.

Question 2

How is Sharat Purnima celebrated?

Accepted Answer

A simple observance includes bathing, clean clothing, an evening lamp, worship at the household shrine, and offerings of fruit, milk, rice, or seasonal food. Fasting, a fruit diet, or a single sattvic meal may be followed according to family custom; no single fasting rule applies everywhere.

Question 3

Why is kheer offered on Sharat Purnima?

Accepted Answer

Kheer is commonly associated with autumn full-moon worship in several traditions. It may be prepared from milk, rice, sugar, and cardamom, offered during evening puja, and shared afterward as prasad. The practice of placing it in moonlight is regional rather than a universal requirement.

Question 4

Is Sharat Purnima the same as Kojagari Purnima?

Accepted Answer

Kojagari Purnima is a related regional name for an autumn full-moon observance, particularly familiar in eastern Indian practice. It is associated in some communities with Lakshmi worship and staying awake at night, but those customs should not automatically be assigned to every observance called Sharat Purnima.

Question 5

Which deity is worshipped on Sharat Purnima?

Accepted Answer

Sharat Purnima is not assigned one universal deity in every Hindu tradition. Lakshmi, Krishna, the autumn full moon, and seasonal or harvest themes are all associated with particular regional or devotional forms, so the intended deity should be confirmed from the local calendar or family tradition.

Date	Tithi	Lunar month	Governing time
Thu, 17 Oct, 2024	ShuklaPurnima	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 7 Oct, 2025	ShuklaPurnima	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Mon, 26 Oct, 2026	ShuklaPurnima	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Fri, 15 Oct, 2027	ShuklaPurnima	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 3 Oct, 2028	ShuklaPurnima	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Mon, 22 Oct, 2029	ShuklaPurnima	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Fri, 11 Oct, 2030	ShuklaPurnima	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Thu, 30 Oct, 2031	ShuklaPurnima	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Mon, 18 Oct, 2032	ShuklaPurnima	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)

Sharat Purnima

Dates by year