October’s full moon, known as Ashwina Purnima or Sharad Purnima, is one of the most spiritually significant nights in the Hindu calendar. It’s the night when the moon is believed to shine with all its sixteen kalas (divine qualities)—making it the most luminous and spiritually potent full moon of the year. In fact, the most radiant full moon can be seen on this day.
On this sacred night, devotees prepare kheer (sweet rice pudding) and place it under the moonlight, believing the moon’s rays imbue it with healing and medicinal properties. The blessed kheer is then consumed as prasada the following morning—for health, prosperity, and divine blessings.
Purnima in October 2025: Key Dates and Timings
| Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Purnima Tithi Begins | 6 October 2025 (Monday) | 12:23 PM |
| Purnima Tithi Ends | 7 October 2025 (Tuesday) | 09:16 AM |
| Vrat & Chandra Puja (Moonrise) | 6 October 2025 (Monday) | 5:26 PM onwards |
| Festival Observances (Jayantis, Kojagari Puja) | 7 October 2025 (Tuesday) | As per tradition |
While the vrat and moon worship (Chandra Puja) are observed on October 6, major festivals and spiritual observances tied to the full moon are celebrated on October 7, as the tithi continues until the morning.
Sharad Purnima Rituals and Vrat Vidhi (October 6, 2025)
In morning, begin the day with a holy bath in a river or at home with Gangajal. Take a Sankalpa (vow) for family health, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
Puja Rituals:
- Kalash Sthapana and Ganesh Puja mark the start of the evening rituals.
- Chandra Puja: Offer Arghya (water offering) to the moon post-moonrise with water, flowers, and diya.
- Kheer Ritual: Prepare milk-rice kheer and place it under the moonlight overnight. It’s believed to absorb the nectar-like essence of moon rays.
- Satyanarayana Puja (optional): Many households perform the Vishnu Katha and puja for divine blessings.
Festivals Celebrated on October 7, 2025 (Ashwina Purnima)
Although the fasting and main rituals fall on October 6, several significant festivals are observed on the next day:
Major Observances:
- Valmiki Jayanti: Celebrates the birth of Maharishi Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana.
- Mira Bai Jayanti: Honours the devotion of saint-poetess Mira Bai to Lord Krishna.
- Kojagari Lakshmi Puja: Devotees stay awake at night worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, particularly in Bengal, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
- Satyanarayana Katha: Families gather for this sacred storytelling and puja of Lord Vishnu.
- Rasa Purnima: Marks the divine Raas Leela of Lord Krishna with Radha and the gopis in Braj.