Kojagara Lakshmi Puja
Kojagara Puja is an auspicious day dedicated to worshipping Goddess Lakshmi during the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) during the Hindu month of ‘Ashwin’. It is celebrated with great fanfare in the Indian states of Orissa, West Bengal and Assam. In the Gregorian calendar it is observed in the months of September-October. This day of Lakshmi Puja is also popularly known as ‘Kojagari Purnima’ or ‘Bengal Lakshmi Puja’. In Hinduism, Lakshmi is known to be the Goddess of Prosperity and it is believed that on the day of ‘Ashwin Purnima’, the Goddess descends on Earth to abundantly bless all with prosperity and good health. The day of Kojagara Puja is also referred as ‘Sharad Purnima’ in some parts of the country. It is a significant festival of Central India, particularly in the Budelkand region and some parts of Bihar.
Significance :
Kojagara Puja is celebrated to
propitiate Goddess Lakshmi. The Purnima of the Ashwin month is believed to be
the ‘Night of Awakening’ as Goddess Lakshmi comes to Earth to bless Her
devotees. Goddess Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. Devotees
worship Lakshmi with full devotion and dedication on the day of Kojagara Puja
to be bestowed with Her generous blessings. The celebration of Kojagara Puja
also coincides with the harvest festival in the northern parts of the country.
Rituals :
- During Kojagara Puja, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi. The
idols of Goddess Lakshmi are put up in houses or pandals in the
neighbourhood. The rituals of Kojagara Puja vary from community to
community. Elaborate Lakshmi Puja is performed under the supervision of a
priest. Various offerings like ‘khichuri’, ‘taaler phopol’, ‘narkel
bhaja’, ‘naru’ and some sweets are made to please the Goddess and seek Her
divine blessings.
- Women draw Alpana in the front of their homes on the day of
Kojagara Puja. The ‘Alplana’ symbolizing the feet of Goddess Lakshmi is
most commonly seen at homes.
- Devotees strongly believe that on this day, Goddess Lakshmi
visits every households and blesses those who are awake with prosperity
and good fortune. Hence they keep vigil all night and spend their time
singing bhajans and kirtans in praise of Goddess Lakshmi. As a welcoming
gesture people illuminate their houses with lights on the night of
Kojagara Puja.
- Chanting mantras and stotrams dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi is
also considered to be highly rewarding on this day.
- Some devotees, especially women also keep a vrat during
Kojagara Puja. They do not eat or drink anything all through the day. the
vrat is broken after completing the puja at night by offering flattened
rice and coconut water to Goddess Lakshmi.
2016 Date : 15th October, Saturday.
Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume, haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the goddess. Offer a garland of cotton beads to the goddess.
ReplyDeleteOffer flowers, especially the marigold flowers and Bel Patra.
Light an incense stick and dhoop.
Offer sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambu
To get more details about mantras, bhajans, chants and pujas,
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