Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on October 16.
On the day of Sharad Purnima, the moon undergoes 16 phases.
Every year on the full moon date of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month, Sharad Purnima is celebrated. It marks the end of the monsoon season. There are 12 full moon dates throughout the year, out of which Sharad Purnima is considered auspicious. It is also known as Kumara Purnima, Kojagari Purnima, Navanna Purnima, Kojagrat Purnima or Kaumudi Purnima. Across the Indian subcontinent, this special day is celebrated in different ways. In many places, people worship the divine pairs like Radha Krishna, Shiva Parvati and Lakshmi Narayan, along with Chandra, the moon deity, and are offered flowers and kheer. As per the scriptures, it is believed that on the auspicious occasion of Sharad Purnima, Lord Krisha performed ‘raasleela’ with the gopis of Braj, hence it is also known as Raas Purnima. It is also believed that Goddess Lakshmi descends on Earth. Kheer is kept under the open sky on the night of Sharad Purnima.
Kashi’s astrologer, Chakrapani Bhatt shared that this year the Ashwin Shukla Purnima Tithi for Sharad Purnima will commence at 8:40 pm on Wednesday, October 16. This date will be valid till 4:55 pm on the next day, October 17. The festival of Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 16.
As per the astrologer, this year, Ravi Yoga will be in effect from 06:23 am to 07:18 pm. On that day, Dhruva Yoga will be effective from 10:10 am. On the day of Sharad Purnima, Uttar Bhadrapad Nakshatra is till 07:18 pm. On October 16, the moonrise of Sharad Purnima will be at 05:05 pm. On the night of Sharad Purnima, kheer is kept in the rays of the moon under the open sky. The expert shared that one can keep kheer under the moonlight from 08:40 pm. On Sharad Purnima, the moon undergoes 16 phases and Hindus believe that the moon rays carry nectar. People keep it under the sky believing that the moonlight also has medicinal properties.