Sharad Purnima and Kojagari Lakshmi Puja: Moonlight, Kheer and Autumn Traditions

Between Dussehra and Diwali comes a gentle festival of moonlight. Sharad Purnima falls on the full-moon night of Ashwin. The autumn sky is clear, the monsoon has retreated and the moon is considered to be at its brightest and most beautiful.

The moon and the harvest

Sharad means autumn. Traditionally this was the time when the first rice crop ripened. The moon, in Hindu thought, is linked with coolness, nectar and the mind, so that the full moon of autumn is thought of as especially nourishing.

Kheer in moonlight

A widespread custom is to prepare kheer, a milk and rice pudding, and leave it uncovered in moonlight overnight. The next morning, the kheer is shared as prasad. Some families believe the moon's rays infuse it with nourishing qualities, and Ayurvedic texts mention this season for cooling foods. In practice, the custom is also a joyful family gathering where people stay up, sing and share stories. If you keep food outside, cover it with a thin cloth to keep insects away.

Krishna and the Raas Leela

In Vaishnava traditions, especially in Vrindavan, Braj, Manipur and Gujarat, Sharad Purnima is the night of Krishna's Raas Leela, when he danced with the gopis under the autumn moon. The story is regarded as a symbol of the soul's yearning for the divine rather than ordinary romance. Temples in Braj are decorated in white and offer special darshan.

Kojagari Lakshmi Puja

In Bengal, Odisha and Assam the night is Kojagari Lakshmi Puja. The name is said to derive from "ko jagarti", meaning "who is awake?". According to the tradition, Lakshmi wanders on this night, asking who is awake, and blesses those who are. Households draw alpona designs, prepare sweets such as naru (coconut laddu) and light lamps. See Goddess Lakshmi for the deity's story.

In Odisha the same day is Kumar Purnima. Unmarried girls dress in new clothes and sing songs to the moon, and the young boy Kartikeya, called Kumar, is remembered.

Other names and customs

• Kaumudi Vrat or Kojagara Vrat: observed as a fast by some devotees.
• Navanna: in some regions the first rice is cooked and offered.
• Garba: parts of Gujarat continue the nights of dance till this full moon.

A quiet evening

Without elaborate rituals, this can be one of the simplest festivals to enjoy: sit outside, share a bowl of kheer and look up at the moon. Many people also take it as a cue to begin preparing for Diwali, now just a few weeks away.