Sharad Purnima

Sharad Purnima is celebrated on the full moon of the Shukla Paksha of the Ashwin month. It is also called Kojagari Purnima and Raas Purnima. It is believed that on this night the moon is complete with all sixteen kalas and that its rays are especially cooling. For this reason the night is regarded as very auspicious, both religiously and culturally. According to tradition, on this night Goddess Lakshmi moves over the earth asking "Ko jagarti?", that is, "Who is awake?". This is why a night vigil and Lakshmi puja are prescribed. In the Vaishnava tradition, this night is remembered for Shri Krishna's Maharaas Leela.

The festival is observed on the night of the Ashwin Shukla Purnima, when the Purnima tithi is present at moonrise. Check the calendar date given above, and see the Panchang for your city's moonrise and Purnima tithi timings. It is also regarded as a sign of the end of the monsoon and the beginning of autumn.

• Idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu (or Shri Krishna), a chowki, a red or yellow cloth • Kalash, water, Gangajal, coconut, mango leaves • Roli, sandalwood paste, akshat, turmeric, lotus or rose flowers • Incense, ghee lamps, camphor • Kheer (made of milk, rice, sugar or mishri and dry fruits), fruits, sweets • A clean vessel to keep the kheer in and a thin clean cloth to cover it

1. Bathe in the morning and take the sankalp for the puja. According to your capacity, keep a fruit-only or simple meal during the day. 2. In the evening, clean the puja spot and install the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu on the chowki. 3. Install the kalash, light a lamp and worship with roli, akshat and flowers. 4. Chant Lakshmi mantras and perform Goddess Lakshmi's aarti. 5. Make kheer from milk and rice and offer it to the Lord as bhog. 6. After moonrise, offer arghya to the moon. Cover the kheer with a clean cloth and keep it in the moonlight. 7. Keep a vigil at night with bhajan, kirtan or mantra chanting. 8. The next morning, after a bath, distribute the kheer in the family as prasad.

• In some beliefs Goddess Lakshmi is said to have appeared on this day, which is why Lakshmi puja has special importance. • In Braj, Shri Krishna performed the Maharaas with the gopis on this night, which is why it is called Raas Purnima. • In Bengal and Odisha it is observed as Kojagari Lakshmi Puja and Kumar Purnima. In Odisha, unmarried girls worship the moon on Kumar Purnima. • Keeping kheer in the moonlight is a religious belief. It is accepted with devotion as prasad.

Chanting the mantras of Goddess Lakshmi and Chandra Dev on this night is considered auspicious. From the links below you can read the Lakshmi Gayatri, Lakshmi Beej Mantra, Lakshmi Chalisa, Mahalakshmi Ashtakam and Chandra Beej Mantra.