New Delhi: On October 6, 2025, everyone will observe Sharad Purnima. Apart from being a beautiful celestial event, Sharad Purnima 2025 is one of the most spiritually charged nights of the year. When the full moon glows in the night sky and the air feels softer, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Chandra come to the homes of devotees and bless them with health, happiness, and prosperity.

On this night, devotees carry out many sacred rituals to please the lord for abundance. One of the most sacred rituals is the preparation and offering of Kheer (sweet rice pudding). The kheer is cooked with devotion and then left under the moonlight. Devotees believe that when the bowl of kheer is kept under the moon, it absorbs the moon’s healing power and transforms the kheer into Amrit – nectar for health, prosperity, and peace. But have you wondered why only kheer is offered to Maa Lakshmi and what makes it the heart of Sharad Purnima celebrations? Keep reading to unravel the mystery.

Kheer of devotion: Spiritual significance in Sharad Purnima

According to Hindu tradition, Sharad Purnima marks the night when the moon shines with all sixteen kalas (phases), symbolising perfection and completeness. The cooling rays of the moon are said to have divine healing powers, capable of balancing body, mind, and soul.

Kheer, made of milk, rice, and sugar, becomes a spiritual conduit on this night. Each ingredient holds sacred meaning —

• Milk signifies purity and nourishment.
• Rice represents fertility, prosperity, and sustenance.
• Sugar stands for sweetness and harmony in relationships.

When placed under moonlight, the kheer is believed to absorb “Chandra Amrit”, or lunar nectar, making it medicinal and spiritually potent. Eating it after midnight is thought to bring good health, peace, and Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings for wealth and abundance.

A significant mythological event associated with Sharad Purnima is the Maha Raas Leela, a divine dance of love and devotion between Lord Krishna and the Gopis.

Why is kheer made on Sharad Purnima called Amrit Tulya?

In ancient scriptures, moonlight on Sharad Purnima is described as Amrit Varsha, meaning the sky pours divine nectar. The rays of the full moon are believed to cool and energise the body, helping to rejuvenate and restore inner balance.

That’s why kheer kept under the moonlight is said to turn “Amrit Tulya” — nectar-like. The combination of cow’s milk and moon energy is considered highly sattvic (pure), helping remove negativity and infuse calmness. It’s not just food; it’s a celestial blessing you can taste.

Traditional Recipe: How to Make Sharad Purnima Kheer

Here’s a simple and authentic recipe to prepare the sacred Sharad Purnima Kheer at home:

Ingredients:

1. 1 litre full-cream milk
2. ¼ cup basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
3. ¼ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
4. 5–6 chopped almonds
5. 5–6 chopped cashews
6. 1 tsp cardamom powder
7. A few saffron strands (optional)

Method:

1. Boil milk in a thick-bottomed pan. Add soaked rice and stir continuously to avoid sticking.
2. Cook on low flame until the rice softens and the milk thickens to a creamy texture.
3. Add sugar, cardamom, and nuts. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
4. Once done, let it cool slightly.
5. Place the bowl of kheer under moonlight for a few hours (preferably till midnight).
6. Offer it to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Chandra, then share it as prasad with your family.

Sweet rice pudding (kheer) is prepared and left under the moonlight to absorb its nectar-like, enriching, and healing properties, then consumed the next day as prasad.

Sharad Purnima is a festival of light, love, and divine nourishment. As the moon bathes the earth in its silvery glow, a bowl of moon-kissed kheer becomes more than just dessert — it becomes a symbol of purity, prosperity, and celestial blessings. So, on October 6, 2025, let your kitchen fill with the aroma of milk and devotion. Under the moonlight, may your kheer turn to nectar — and your life to joy.