Milk sales jump several-fold across Maharashtra on Kojagiri Purnima, prices climb

On ordinary days, half a litre or a litre of milk is enough for most households in Maharashtra, covering basic needs such as the day's tea. On Kojagiri Purnima the picture changes, and milk consumption suddenly shoots up.

The full moon of the Shukla Paksha of the Ashwin month, also known as Sharad Purnima, is celebrated with great fanfare in Maharashtra as Kojagiri Purnima. On this day, large quantities of milk are boiled in big vessels in almost every home in the state.

On Kojagiri night the milk is not merely boiled. Cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios, chironji, cardamom, cinnamon and saffron are added to make flavourful masala milk. The masala milk is then kept out in the open under the moonlight through the night.

According to religious and Ayurvedic belief, the moon is closest to the earth on the night of Sharad Purnima, and its rays shower nectar-like, health-giving properties. It is believed that milk kept in the moonlight takes on these medicinal qualities and is very beneficial to health when drunk.

According to mythological belief, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the churning of the ocean on this day. Worship of Lakshmi and staying awake through the night are therefore prescribed. The old tradition of drinking masala milk also continues, to give the body strength, calcium and warmth as autumn arrives and the weather changes.

Demand for milk across Maharashtra rises several-fold on this day. Housing societies, public mandals, youth groups and gatherings at hotels hold large milk-boiling events.

The Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union (Gokul) recorded record sales of 20 lakh 28 thousand 526 litres of milk on Kojagiri Purnima in 2025. This is more than 1.63 lakh litres higher than in 2024.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, about 4 lakh litres of milk were sold in a single day in 2025. Daily sales there are 2.5 lakh litres, an additional surge of 2 lakh litres. Milk worth about Rs 2 crore and milk masala worth Rs 15 lakh (300 to 350 kg) were sold there.

In Nashik city in 2025, daily milk demand rose by more than 10,000 litres because of Kojagiri, and total sales reached 8 lakh litres.

Because of the sudden rise in demand and extra purchases by sweet makers in the festival season, milk prices climb sharply on this day every year. In Nashik district, the price of milk goes up by Rs 40 to Rs 50 per litre. Buffalo milk, which sells at Rs 80 per litre on normal days, is sold at up to Rs 120 per litre, while cow milk rises from Rs 45 to as much as Rs 60 per litre.

In local retail markets in Bhiwandi and Nashik, loose milk prices crossed Rs 100 per litre last year. Milk masala was priced at Rs 3,300 per kg wholesale and Rs 3,700 to Rs 3,800 per kg retail.

Kojagiri Purnima thus becomes a unique mix in Maharashtra of faith, a tradition of health and large economic transactions in the dairy business.