Sharad Purnima Greetings !! The Second Online , Travel , Varanasi , Uttar Pradesh , India

'Sharad Purnima' is a famous festival of Hindus. It is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the month of Ashwin according to Hindu Calendar. Sharad Purnima is also known as 'Kojagari Poornima', 'Sharath Purnima' or 'Rasa Purnima'. The word 'Sharad' focuses on the 'Sharad Ritu' (season). Though it is a festival of harvest, it has religious significance for the followers of Vaishnavism as well. It is believed that the individuals who worship Goddess Lakshmi and keep a fast during the day are blessed even if they do not have Lakshmi Yoga in their astrological horoscope.

At night, goddess Lakshmi is worshiped and night vigil is observed. It is believed that keeping food under the moonlight on sharad Purnima nourishes the body and soul. On this festival there is common practice of keeping the prepared kheer (Sweet dish made by boiling milk and mixing cooked rice along with sugar and dry fruits) in moonlight through out the night and distributed as Prasad on the next day.