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.