When is Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 starts on September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day grand Ganeshotsav festival in Maharashtra.

Does this calendar include Maharashtra state holidays?

Yes, we track all official public holidays in Maharashtra, including Maharashtra Day, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, and Ambedkar Jayanti.

How do I know which exact day to perform a specific Puja?

Our calendar maps major festivals to the primary civil day of observance. For exact fractional Tithi bounds, please visit our Daily Panchang page.

When is Kojagiri Purnima in 2026 in Maharashtra?

Kojagiri Purnima (Sharad Purnima) in 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The full moon tithi starts on October 24 and extends through the night of October 25, with moonlight vigils taking place on Sunday evening.

What is the exact Kojagiri Purnima 2026 Puja Muhurat and timing?

The auspicious moonrise occurs around 06:15 PM on October 25, 2026. The most sacred window for Goddess Lakshmi's midnight vigil (Nishita Kaal Pujan) is between 11:42 PM and 12:33 AM. Placing the milk vessel under direct moonlight is best done between 08:30 PM and 11:30 PM.

Why is milk kept in direct moonlight on Kojagiri Purnima?

According to ancient Hindu astronomy and Ayurveda, on Ashwin Purnima the moon is in closest alignment with the Earth, and its moonlight carries medicinal, calming properties (Amrit Tatva). Boiling milk with saffron and dry fruits and leaving it open under the moonlight infuses the milk with these healing lunar rays, pacifying excess Pitta dosha.

What is the Jyeshtha Pujan ritual on Kojagiri Purnima?

In Maharashtra, Kojagiri Purnima is uniquely celebrated by honoring the eldest child of the house (Jyeshtha Apastha). The eldest child is seated on a wooden pat, surrounded by rangoli, and an elder family member performs Aarti (Owalani) with a lighted lamp, wishing them good health, wisdom, and leadership in life.

Which mantras and stotras should be recited during the Kojagiri night vigil?

Devotees recite Sri Suktam, Lakshmi Ashtakam, Kanakadhara Stotram, and the 'Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Mahalakshmyai Namah' mantra. Chanting Lord Shiva's Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and Indra Dev stutis is also considered highly meritorious.

Kojagiri Purnima 2026 | कोजागिरी पौर्णिमा

Kojagiri Purnima Masala Milk Full Moon Celebration Maharashtra

Looking for calendar views and tithis?

Read more about the exact tithi timings and planetary alignments in our comprehensive October 2026 Calendar.

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About Kojagiri Purnima(उत्सव माहिती)

Kojagiri Purnima (also celebrated as Sharad Purnima or Ashwin Purnima) is one of the most enchanting and spiritually potent full moon nights in Maharashtra. Falling in the auspicious month of Ashwin, this night marks the transition into the golden autumn (Sharad Ritu), when the moon shines closest to the Earth with all sixteen astrological phases (Solah Kalas) fully illuminated.

In Maharashtrian tradition, the centerpiece of the festival is the sacred night vigil (Jagarana) and the brewing of authentic Kojagiri Masala Doodh (rich saffron and dry-fruit infused milk). Families gather on terraces, balconies, and open courtyards under the silver moonlight. The vessel of boiling hot sweetened milk is placed directly under the celestial moonlight for several hours so that the moon's curative rays (revered in Ayurveda as divine nectar or *Amrit*) infuse the drink. Before consuming, family members gaze into the vessel to admire the moon's direct reflection on the milk surface before offering it as Naivedya to Goddess Lakshmi and sharing it amongst loved ones.

Kojagiri Purnima is also revered across Maharashtra as Aswin Navanna Purnima (harvest celebration). Farmers honor the newly harvested grains of paddy, pulses, and sugarcane, offering the fresh harvest to the deities in gratitude for seasonal abundance and agricultural prosperity.

History: The word 'Kojagiri' is derived from the ancient Sanskrit phrase 'Ko Jagarti?' (को जागर्ति?), which translates to *'Who is awake?'*. According to the sacred Sanatana scriptures and Puranic legends, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and light, descends from the celestial heavens on this full moon night to traverse the mortal world. She blesses those devotees who are awake, vigilant, and immersed in meditation, devotional music, and spiritual contemplation.

Historically across the Deccan and Maratha empires, Kojagiri Purnima was celebrated with royal pageantry. In the royal courts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the later Peshwas, grand darbars were held under the open moonlight at fortresses like Raigad and Shaniwar Wada. Classical vocalists and sitar maestros performed ragas of the night, while royal Vaidyas (Ayurvedic physicians) distributed medicinal moon-bathed tonics to promote longevity and cognitive clarity among the citizens.

In agricultural folklore, this night marks the ending of the monsoon rains and the onset of the harvest. Farmers celebrate by placing freshly harvested stalks at their village temples and performing Lakshmi-Indra pujan to safeguard their godowns from pests and winter dampness.

Significance: The observance of Kojagiri Purnima brings together deep spiritual blessings, family traditions, and time-tested Ayurvedic health wisdom:

Spiritual Wealth & Divine Grace: Goddess Lakshmi visits homes during the midnight hour (Nishita Kaal). Staying awake in devotion cleanses past karmic blockages, invites abundance into the household, and shields against poverty (Alakshmi).
Ayurvedic Health Wisdom: Autumn (Sharad Ritu) naturally aggravates the Pitta dosha in the human body due to post-monsoon heat. The cooling rays of the full moon combined with full-fat milk, soothing saffron (Kesar), nutmeg (Jaiphal), cardamom (Elaichi), and blanched almonds act as a natural medicinal pacifier, detoxifying the blood and rejuvenating the nervous system.
Jyeshtha Pujan (Honor of the Eldest Child): In Maharashtrian households, this day is celebrated as Aswin Purnima Jyeshtha Pujan. The eldest son or daughter of the family is seated on a decorated wooden seat (Pat), given a traditional Aarti (Owalani), and blessed with gifts and prayers for lifelong health, intellect, and leadership.
Harvest Thanksgiving: Families celebrate the arrival of the Kharif harvest by offering new grain pudding and thanking mother nature for sustenance.