Published By: Nibandh Vinod
Last Updated: October 28, 2023, 06:00 IST
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2023: Devotees prepare sweet pudding; keep it under the moonlight to celebrate Kojagari Puja. (Image: Shutterstock)
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja represents a fresh start for the Goddess’s devotees and on the eve of the festival, devotees light up their homes with earthen lamps and leave their doors and windows open to invite her in.
KOJAGARI LAKSHMI PUJA 2023: Following the Durga Puja, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is an important festival performed on the Purnima (full moon day) in the lunar month of Ashwin of the Hindi calendar. As the name suggests, this day is dedicated to the Goddess of wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, and good fortune. This festival is celebrated with full fervour in several parts of eastern India such as West Bengal, Assam and Odisha. However, in rest parts of the country, Kojagari Puja or the Bengal Lakshmi Puja is known by the name of Sharad Purnima, and is celebrated on Amavasya Tithi during Diwali.
Lakshmi Puja represents a fresh start for the Goddess’s devotees and on the eve of the festival, devotees light up their homes with earthen lamps and leave their doors and windows open to invite her in. Moreover, farmers worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day for a good harvest.
Kojagari Puja 2023: Date and Time
According to Drik Panchang, the Kojagari Puja will be celebrated on Saturday, i.e., October 28, this year. The Purnima Tithi began at 04:17 AM on October 28 and will commence at 01:53 AM on October 29.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2023 Wishes
- May the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Maa Lakshmi, shower you with her blessings on this auspicious day of Kojagari Puja. Happy Kojagari Puja!
- May the moonlight on this Kojagari night guide you to success and happiness in all your endeavors. Happy Kojagari Puja to you and your loved ones!
- May the blessings of Maa Lakshmi fill your life with abundance, joy, and good health. Happy Kojagari Puja!
- May the divine light of the moon on this Kojagari night illuminate your path and help you achieve all your goals. Happy Kojagari Puja!
- May the spirit of Kojagari Puja inspire you to be kind, compassionate, and generous to others. Happy Kojagari Puja!
Kojagari Puja 2023: History And Significance
As per Hindu Mythology, it is believed that on this day, Goddess Lakshmi revolves around the Earth’s orbit and eases the sorrows and pains of her devotees’. It is also said that if a person remains awake all through this night, Goddess Lakshmi blesses that person with good health and wealth.
Devotees worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Lakshmi on Sharad Purnima and unmarried girls observe fast on this day in various parts of the country to please Lord Vishnu in order to find a right lifestyle for themselves.
However, in Mathura and its adjoining regions of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh, which is popularly known as the Brij region, the festival is celebrated as Raas Purnima. On this auspicious day, it is believed that Lord Krishna performed the Maha-Raas which is the dance of divine love with his gopis.
Kojagari Puja 2023: Rituals
Devotees must wake up early in the morning and focus on cleaning and beautifying every area of the house. Start cleaning the house as Goddess Laxmi resides only in a clean place. Throw away trash and don’t leave shoes or slippers near the front door.
Make a rangoli at the entrance and draw the feet of the goddess Lakshmi with white paint or rice powder. Start preparing small clay idols of Goddess Lakshmi and place it in different parts of the house.
Then comes a very auspicious Hindu tradition, keep two manglik Kalash covered with unpeeled coconuts at the entrance of the home.
As part of the bhog, devotees prepare rice pudding (kheer) and keep it under the moonlight. As a holy offering, devotees break their fast by having the prasad and then the pudding is distributed among friends and family the next day.
Apart from the bhog, dishes like Khichnuri, Narkel bhaja, chirey and taaler phopol and sweets are also offered to the goddess.
