Kojagiri Purnima 2025: The Tradition and Science Behind Drinking Masala Milk Under the Moonlight
Kojagiri Purnima 2025: The Tradition and Science Behind Drinking Masala Milk Under the Moonlight
Sharad Purnima, celebrated on October 6, 2025, honors Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and the Moon God.
Sharad Purnima, also known as Kojagiri Purnima, is one of the most sacred full moon nights in the Hindu calendar. It marks the divine occasion when Lord Krishna performed the Raas Leela with Radha and the Gopis. Devotees observe fasts, perform special pujas, and offer kheer or milk-based dishes, believing that these acts invite divine blessings and fulfillment of wishes.
In Maharashtra, a unique tradition adds flavor to the celebration — people prepare masala milk, keep it under the moonlight overnight, and consume it later. This ritual, rooted in both Ayurveda and seasonal wisdom, has a deeper significance.
Kojagiri Purnima falls in the autumn season, marking the transition from monsoon to winter. During this time, the body requires greater strength and nourishment. Milk, rich in calcium, is believed to fortify the body against the upcoming cold. According to Ayurveda, blending milk with dry fruits, cardamom, cinnamon, and charoli enhances its medicinal properties, making masala milk both flavorful and beneficial for health.
The practice of keeping the milk under moonlight is also steeped in ancient belief and Ayurvedic reasoning. It is said that on Sharad Purnima, the moon is closest to the Earth, and its cooling rays are infused with healing energy. When milk is kept under the moonlight, it is believed to absorb these beneficial properties, making it a natural remedy that promotes well-being and cures certain ailments.
On this night, devotees also observe Satyanarayan Vrat and perform puja to appease Lord Vishnu, marking the beginning of the winter season. Among the twelve full moons in a year, Sharad Purnima — along with Kartik Purnima and Jyeshtha Purnima — holds exceptional spiritual importance.
Thus, the tradition of drinking masala milk under the moonlight on Kojagiri Purnima is not merely symbolic but an enduring blend of devotion, seasonal adaptation, and Ayurvedic wisdom — a celebration of health, divinity, and cosmic harmony.
