Sharad Purnima in Ambaji

Date and timing in Ambaji

Sharad Purnima falls on the Purnima (full moon) tithi of the lunar month of Ashwin. For Ambaji (अंबाजी), in the Asia/Kolkata time zone, the dates computed for this city's own sunrise are:

• 2026: Monday 26 October 2026
• 2027: Friday 15 October 2027

The tithi observed is Ashwin Purnima, and the presiding deity of the observance is Lakshmi. The traditional practice associated with the night is kheer under moonlight — preparing kheer and leaving it open to the moon's rays before partaking.

Because the Panchangam is reckoned from local sunrise, the date given above is the one that applies to Ambaji itself. Readers in other cities should use the date computed for their own location, which may differ by a day.

Why the date can differ from India

It is common to see a single "India date" for a festival, but the tithi is a continuous astronomical measurement, not a fixed calendar entry. Different regions and panchangas may assign the same Purnima to slightly different civil dates depending on when the tithi begins and ends relative to sunrise in that place.

Where traditions differ — North and South, Smarta and Vaishnava, amanta and purnimanta reckonings — the observance may be kept on a different day or with a different emphasis. This is a normal feature of the calendar rather than a contradiction. For personal observance, follow the Panchangam of your own region or family tradition, and consult a qualified jyotishi for matters concerning your individual chart.

Where and how the community celebrates

Sharad Purnima is observed pan-India, so the practices described here are general rather than tied to any one venue or organiser. In Ambaji and across India, households and communities mark the night with:

• Lakshmi worship: the full moon of Ashwin is associated with Lakshmi, and the evening is given to her remembrance.
• Kheer under moonlight: kheer is prepared and placed in the open so the moon's rays fall on it, then shared.
• Night-long vigilance: many stay awake, singing, reading, or keeping company in a spirit of devotion.
• Charity and sharing: food and offerings are distributed, in keeping with the mood of the full moon.

Specific temple schedules, event timings and organisers vary and are best confirmed locally.

Practical tips

• Confirm the date against a Panchangam computed for Ambaji's sunrise, not a generic national listing.
• If you are outside India, adjust for your own time zone and local sunrise before fixing the observance.
• Prepare kheer fresh, and keep it covered and hygienic if it is left out.
• If your family follows a particular sampradaya, follow its customary procedure.
• For anything concerning your personal chart, consult a qualified jyotishi.