Sharad Purnima 1996
The moon of nectar — kheer left in moonlight on Ashvin Purnima.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)06:02
- Sunset17:21
- Fasting window (tithi)1996-10-25 · 21:21 → 19:44
- Parana (tithi ends)19:44
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Sharad Purnima puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaSharad Purnima — Frequently Asked Questions
Why is kheer left under the moon on Sharad Purnima?
The Ashvin full moon is held to rise with all sixteen kalas and its light to carry amrita. Kheer left open in that light overnight is believed to absorb it and become a healing prasad eaten at dawn.
What does Kojagari mean?
It is from 'ko jagarti' — 'who is awake?' Lakshmi is believed to move through the world that night asking this, blessing those she finds keeping vigil. Staying awake in worship is the heart of the vow.
Is Sharad Purnima connected to Krishna?
Yes — in the Braj tradition it is the night of the maha-raas, when Krishna danced with the gopis under the autumn moon. It is celebrated with raas songs alongside the moon and Lakshmi worship.
Other major festivals in 1996
- Makar Sankranti — 14 January 1996
- Vasant Panchami — 24 January 1996
- Maha Shivaratri — 17 February 1996
- Holika Dahan — 4 March 1996
- Holi — 6 March 1996
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 20 March 1996
- Ram Navami — 28 March 1996
- Akshaya Tritiya — 20 April 1996
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 17 July 1996
- Guru Purnima — 30 July 1996
- Nag Panchami — 19 August 1996
- Raksha Bandhan — 28 August 1996
- Krishna Janmashtami — 4 September 1996
- Hartalika Teej — 16 September 1996
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 16 September 1996
- Anant Chaturdashi — 26 September 1996
- Pitru Paksha begins — 28 September 1996
- Sharad Navratri begins — 13 October 1996
- Durga Ashtami — 20 October 1996
- Maha Navami — 21 October 1996
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 21 October 1996
- Karwa Chauth — 29 October 1996
- Dhanteras — 8 November 1996
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 10 November 1996
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 10 November 1996
- Govardhan Puja — 12 November 1996
- Bhai Dooj — 13 November 1996
- Chhath Puja — 16 November 1996
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 25 November 1996
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 25 November 1996
- Hindu Festivals 1996 →