Answer

In Jain Dharma, Sharad Purnima is not the same religious observance as Kojagiri / Kojagara Purnima of Hindu tradition.

They may fall on the same full-moon tithi of the lunar calendar, but their religious meaning and practices are different.

Also, please note: for many panchangs, Sharad Purnima 2026 is observed on the night of Sunday, 25 October 2026, because the Purnima night falls then. Some calendars may show 26 October 2026 because the Purnima tithi continues into the next morning. For religious observance, you should follow your local Jain calendar, sangh, or guru guidance.

What Jains Can Do on Sharad Purnima

There is no single universal Jain ritual for Sharad Purnima like Paryushan, Samvatsari, Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, or Kartik Purnima. A Jain approach would be to observe the day with dharma, restraint, and inner purification.

You may do:

• Samayik – spend time in equanimity and self-reflection.
• Pratikraman – repent for mistakes and purify conduct.
• Navkar Mantra jaap – recite with devotion and awareness.
• Swadhyay – study Jain scriptures or lives of Tirthankars and great saints.
• Tapasya – if suitable, observe upvas, ekasana, beasana, ayambil, or other restraint according to your capacity.
• Daan and seva – support sadhu-sadhvi, temple, jiv daya, or needy people with humility.
• Practice ahimsa more carefully – avoid carelessness in food, speech, thoughts, and actions.

Is It Same as Kojagiri Purnima?

No, not from a Jain religious point of view.

In many Hindu traditions, Kojagiri / Kojagara Purnima is associated with:

• Goddess Lakshmi worship,
• night vigil,
• moonlight-related customs,
• milk or kheer kept under moonlight,
• prosperity-related beliefs.

These are not Jain scriptural practices as core Jain Dharma does not center worship around a creator God, prosperity deity, or moon-based blessing for worldly gains.

A Jain should avoid mixing such beliefs into Jain Dharma. If a family follows some cultural custom, it should be understood as regional or family culture, not as a Jain spiritual requirement.

Spiritual Understanding

For a Jain, the most meaningful way to observe any Purnima is to turn the mind toward:

• Ahimsa – non-violence,
• Samyaktva – right faith,
• Sanyam – self-restraint,
• Tap – austerity,
• Atma-chintan – reflection on the soul.

The full moon can remind us of spiritual brightness, but in Jain Dharma, true purity comes from reducing karma through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

Takeaway

Sharad Purnima and Kojagiri Purnima may occur on the same date, but Jain observance should remain Jain in spirit: do samayik, pratikraman, Navkar Mantra, swadhyay, tapasya, and ahimsa. It is not necessary to perform Lakshmi puja or Kojagiri customs as part of Jain Dharma.