The sacred festival of Sharad Purnima is being marked on October 25, 2026. In Hindu tradition, this specific lunar day holds immense spiritual and religious significance. It is widely believed that on this auspicious night, the moon shines in all its sixteen celestial phases, bestowing divine grace and healing properties upon the earth. Devotees perform rituals to worship Goddess Lakshmi and follow the age-old tradition of preparing kheer to place under the open moonlight.
Panchang and Date Details
According to the traditional calendar, the Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi tithi of the Ashwin month will prevail until morning today. Following this, the Purnima tithi will commence and remain active until the morning of October 26. Since Purnima rituals and worship are traditionally conducted at night, celebrating Sharad Purnima today is considered appropriate.
Sunrise, Sunset and Moonrise Timings
Today, the sun is expected to rise at approximately 6:28 AM, while sunset will occur around 5:42 PM. Moonrise is scheduled for around 4:56 PM. These specific timings are aligned with the coordinates of Delhi, and minor variations of a few minutes may occur depending on different cities and regions.
Abhijit Muhurat and Auspicious Timings
The Abhijit Muhurat, considered highly favorable for initiating important tasks, will be active today from 11:43 AM to 12:28. Several other auspicious timings and planetary combinations are also present throughout the day.
List of Important Muhurats
- Abhijit Muhurat: From 12:14 PM to 12:55 PM.
- Godhuli Muhurat: From 05:42 PM to 06:10 PM.
- Sayahna Sandhya: From 05:42 PM to 07:05 PM.
- Nishita Muhurat: From 12:08 AM on October 26 to 01:03 AM on October 26.
- Ravi Yoga: From 06:29 AM to 07:58 AM on October 26, and from 07:26 AM to 02:52 PM.
- Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga: From 02:52 PM to 07:28 AM on October 26.
- Gand Mool and Panchak: Gand Mool persists throughout the day, while Panchak runs from 07:26 AM to 02:52 PM.
Rahu Kaal and Precautions
On this Sunday, Rahu Kaal will take place from approximately 4:18 PM to 5:42 PM. According to traditional beliefs, commencing auspicious or new ventures during this inauspicious window should be avoided. The exact timing of Rahu Kaal varies slightly based on geographical locations.
Tradition of Placing Kheer Under Moonlight
A prominent custom of Sharad Purnima involves preparing kheer and leaving it exposed to the moonlight following moonrise and evening prayers. It is culturally believed that the moon's rays during this night carry unique nourishing qualities. The next morning, this kheer is consumed by households as prasad.
