Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2026: Auspicious Date, Exact Nishita Kaal Timings, and Rituals
Devotees across the country are preparing to welcome the Goddess of Wealth as Kojagari Lakshmi Puja—widely revered as Sharad Purnima—will be celebrated on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Celebrated with immense spiritual fervor in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, and Maharashtra, the auspicious night is deeply associated with divine descent. According to Vedic tradition, Goddess Lakshmi descends from the celestial realms to traverse the earth on Sharad Purnima night, bestowing eternal prosperity, abundance, and financial breakthroughs upon households that keep a sacred vigil. Astrological calculations outline specific shubh muhurats, highlighting the pivotal midnight Nishita Kaal for invoking the deity’s supreme blessings.
Auspicious Timings and Shubh Muhurat: Nishita Kaal to Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga
Astrological panchang alignments indicate a narrow, highly potent window for nocturnal worship:
Purnima Tithi Duration: The Sharad Purnima tithi commences on October 25 at 11:55 AM and concludes on October 26 at 9:41 AM, making October 25 the designated calendar date for observing the Kojagari fast and nocturnal rituals.
Moonrise Schedule: The moonrise on Kojagara Puja is slated for 5:15 PM on October 25, marking the onset of evening festivities.
Nishita Kaal Worship Window: The vital midnight worship interval (Nishita Muhurta) runs from 11:50 PM on October 25 to 12:41 AM on October 26, creating an auspicious 51-minute window when cosmic energies are at their peak.
Additional Auspicious Muhurats:
Brahma Muhurta: 04:53 AM to 05:43 AM
Vijay Muhurta: 02:29 PM to 02:54 PM
Godhuli (Twilight) Muhurta: 05:56 PM to 06:22 PM
Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga: 07:22 PM on October 25 through to 06:34 AM on October 26, providing a highly favorable celestial combination for spiritual endeavors.
Spiritual Significance: The Divine Descent and the Meaning of 'Ko Jagarti'
The religious sanctity of Kojagari Purnima is rooted in the timeless philosophy of vigilance and devotion:
Descent of Goddess Lakshmi: Scriptural beliefs affirm that Goddess Lakshmi roams the earthly plane under the luminous autumn full moon, blessing devotees with immense peace, good fortune, and enduring wealth.
The Call of the Night Vigil: The festival draws its root name from "Ko Jagarti" (translating to "Who is awake?"), symbolizing that only devotees who remain awake in nocturnal adoration, meditation, and prayer receive the full measure of divine benevolence.
A Beacon for Prosperity: Families illuminate their courtyards and threshold entryways with traditional clay lamps, ensuring their homes become hospitable sanctuaries for divine residence.
Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi: Rituals to Welcome the Goddess of Fortune
To ensure complete adherence to traditional scriptures, the recommended puja process unfolds through structured morning and midnight observances:
Morning Purification: Begin the auspicious day by taking an early holy bath, followed by offering water (arghya) to the Sun God to invoke vitality and clarity.
Sanctifying the Mandir: Cleanse and purify the household temple space thoroughly before arranging the sacred altar.
Idol Installation: Reverently position the idol or sacred image of Goddess Lakshmi upon a dedicated wooden chowki (stool) adorned with festive cloth.
Offering Solah Shringar and Blossoms: Adorn the divine mother with the traditional sixteen beauty items (Solah Shringar) and offer fresh fragrant flowers to the deity.
Deep Daan and Aarti: Kindle an aromatic lamp using pure desi cow ghee, performing the evening and midnight aarti with devotional bells and conch blowing.
Chanting Sacred Hymns: Recite the revered verses of the Shri Sukta and the Lakshmi Chalisa during the puja duration to foster positive spiritual vibrations.
Bhog and Prasad: Present an offering of seasonal fruits and authentic dairy sweets as holy naivedya, subsequent to which the prasad should be shared among family and the underprivileged.
Observing the Night Vigil: Devotees must stay awake through the night in communal bhajan, kirtan, or silent contemplation until the auspicious Nishita Kaal concludes.

