Sharad Purnima 2026 — Washington, D.C.
Sharad Purnima, the full moon of Ashwin, is said to be the one night of the year when the Moon shines with all sixteen kalas. It is also Kojagari Lakshmi Puja in Bengal and Odisha.
In 2026, Sharad Purnima is on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
- Purnima begins: 25 Oct 2026, 2:26 AM
- Purnima ends: 26 Oct 2026, 12:11 AM
Date and timings for Washington, D.C..
How the date is fixed
Sharad Purnima falls on Purnima of Ashwin. The day is decided by the tithi prevailing at midnight (nishita kaal, the eighth muhurta of the night). When the tithi touches that time on two days, the day it covers more is used.
Calculated for Washington, D.C.. Festival dates can differ by a day between cities and between regional traditions; your family priest's panchang has the final word.
How it is celebrated
Kheer is left out under the moonlight overnight and eaten as prasad the next morning; devotees worship Lakshmi and stay awake (kojagara — "who is awake?") through the night.
Want a personal reading of your chart? Talk to an experienced astrologer.
Frequently asked questions
When is Sharad Purnima in 2026?
In 2026, Sharad Purnima is on Sunday, 25 October 2026. (Washington, D.C.)
Why do calendars sometimes show different dates for Sharad Purnima?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar tithi, which begins and ends at different clock times. Each festival has a rule about which part of the day the tithi must cover — sunrise, midday, dusk or midnight. When the tithi straddles two days, calendars that apply the rule for a different city, or a different tradition, can land on different days. We show the rule we used and the tithi timings so you can check.