Ashwin Purnima
Also called: Sharad Purnima, Kojagari Purnima, Raas Purnima
Sharad Purnima is celebrated as the most radiant full moon of the year, marking the arrival of autumn. It is believed that the moon showers amrita (nectar) through its rays on this night. In Bengal and eastern India, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is observed with an all-night vigil. In Vaishnava tradition, it commemorates the divine Maha Raas in Vrindavan.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Shukla Paksha
- Lunar month
- Ashwin
- Deities
- Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Krishna, Chandra Dev
The story
Goddess Lakshmi visits homes on this night, inquiring 'Ko Jagarti?' ('Who is awake?'), blessing those engaged in prayer and vigilance with abundance. In Vrindavan, Lord Krishna played his divine flute, inviting the Gopis to the eternal dance of divine love (Maha Raas).
Practices
- Preparing rice kheer (milk pudding) and leaving it exposed to moonlight overnight to absorb medicinal lunar rays
- Observing an all-night vigil with devotional singing and scripture reading
- Consuming the cooled, moonlit kheer as sacred prasad the next morning
Regional variations
- Celebrated as Kojagari Purnima in Bengal and Odisha; celebrated with Raas Leela performances in Vrindavan and Gujarat
Common questions
- Why is kheer kept under moonlight on Sharad Purnima?
- Traditional Ayurvedic and folk belief holds that the autumn full moon rays possess therapeutic and calming properties that enrich milk and rice.