Kojagari Lakshmi Puja: Tithi, Significance, Puja Vidhi, Vrat Katha and more
Lakshmi does not come to dwell in a house where poverty is not respected, where the people are not clean, and where there is quarrelling.” – Narada Purana
Devi Laksmi is the goddess of fortune, wealth, fortune, and abundance. However, her significance goes beyond the material aspect of life, into the spiritual aspects of life as well. That’s why many occasions are dedicated to worshipping her. One such occasion is Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.
In eastern India, the most significant day for worshipping Devi Lakshmi falls on the full moon day in Ashwin which is on the day of Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, also known as “Bengal Lakshmi Puja”, “Kojagari Purnima” or “Sharad Purnima”. The festival is primarily observed in the West Bengal, Odisha, and parts of Assam. In 2023, the Puja date is October 28, Saturday.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2023
- Kojagara Puja Date – October 28, 2023, Saturday
- Kojagara Puja Nishita Time – 11:45 PM to 12:36 AM, Oct 29
- Duration of Puja – 00 Hours 51 Mins
- Moonrise – 05:32 PM
- Purnima Tithi Begins – 04:17 AM on Oct 28, 2023
- Purnima Tithi Ends – 01:53 AM on Oct 29, 2023
Significance of the Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
Worshipping Devi Lakshmi is auspicious, on any day of the year. However, worshipping her on this particular occasion is especially significant for the following reasons:
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Devi Lakshmi comes to meet her devotees on this day. There are eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi, and meditating on any of these forms brings blessings to Goddess Lakshmi. The eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi are Dhanalakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Rajalakshmi, Vaibhav Lakshmi, Aishwarya Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Kamala Lakshmi and Vijay Lakshmi.
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Apart from this, those who observe this fast attain success after death. Night vigil also has special significance on this day. It is said that on this night the Goddess visits the homes of her devotees and the devotees who stay awake are blessed with the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.
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If you are facing financial problems then you should especially worship Goddess Lakshmi on this Kojagari Purnima.
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By observing the Kojagari fast, Goddess Lakshmi gifts happiness and prosperity to her devotees and their families. Children are also happy with this. This fast is observed only on the day of Sharad Purnima. The rays of the moon emanating at night on the day of Sharad Purnima are extremely beneficial for humans.
So, whatever intention you might have, or even without intention, it is beneficial to worship Maa on this day.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja Vrat Katha
Many different stories about Kojagari Vrat can be found in different places. We will tell you about the most popular one.
In ancient times there was a moneylender, who had two daughters and was a devout Hindu who observed fasts on the full moon. The elder daughter of the moneylender used to observe this fast and did it with full rituals. On the other hand, his younger daughter used to leave the fast incomplete due to ignorance. When she failed to complete the fast Goddess Lakshmi became angry.
As a result, the sons of the moneylender’s younger daughter started dying. Her son will die soon after birth. Due to this, the moneylender’s younger daughter felt very bad and she told her problem to a wise man. He told the moneylender’s younger daughter the mistake of not completing the Purnima fast and not observing it as per the rituals. He promised the moneylender’s daughter that if she observed the Purnima fast properly, her child would be born alive.
She followed the sage’s instructions and performed the rituals in fulfilment of the Purnima fast. She gave birth to a child, but the child died after a few days. She became irritated and then remembered her elder sister. She covered the boy and called her elder sister. Then she called her elder sister and motioned her to sit on him. The elder sister was completely unaware that the child’s body was there. As soon as she sat on the child, her skirt touched the child and the child became alive and started crying.
When the elder sister saw this, she scolded her and said, ‘You wanted to defame me, he would have died had I sat there.’ When the younger sister heard what the elder sister said, she respectfully said that he was already dead. It is only because of your perseverance and virtue that he has come to life.
After this incident, the moneylender ordered the entire city to observe a fast on the full moon day. Since then, this day has been celebrated as a festival dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja Vidhi
Kojagari puja is mentioned in Narada Purana. It also includes information about the methods related to fasting. The idol of Goddess Lakshmi made of brass, silver, copper, or gold is worshipped. The following things are performed.
- First and foremost, the idol is dressed.
- The Goddess should be worshipped normally on Kojagari Vrat.
- After this, special worship is done at night after moonrise.
- Devotees should make kheer mostly at night and if have a silver vessel then it should be kept in the open as soon as the moon sets. If silver utensils are not available, regular utensils can be used instead.
Kheer is specially made on this day because it has great significance. Its scientific importance has also been mentioned. Needless to say, the full moon day of Ashwin month can be considered as the last day of the rainy season. According to science, on this day the moon is closest to the earth, due to which the moon’s rays fall on the kheer, which keeps the mind calm and increases the body’s ability to fight diseases. People suffering from respiratory diseases get benefit from it, apart from this, eyesight also improves.
- Then light 100 ghee lamps in front of Goddess Lakshmi at night.
- Along with this, the mantra and aarti of Goddess Lakshmi should be performed methodically. After some time has passed, the kheer kept in the moonlight should be offered to Goddess Lakshmi.
- It should be opened the next day after worshipping Goddess Lakshmi
By worshipping Goddess Lakshmi with devotion, one can attract not only wealth but abundance in every sphere of life So, this October, immerse yourself in the Lakshmi Puja with pure heart and intention and get close to Maa.
If you want a detailed explanation regarding the puja Vidhi, you can speak to expert astrologers and pundits at NamoAstro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is it called “Kojagari” Lakshmi Puja?
A: The term “Kojagari” is derived from the Bengali language, where it means “who is awake.” The festival is named so because devotees traditionally stay awake all night to worship Goddess Lakshmi and seek her blessings.
Q: What is the importance of moon-watching during this festival?
A: It is believed that the moon on the night of Kojagari Purnima is particularly bright and powerful. People spend time gazing at the moon as a part of their worship, believing that the moon’s energy and blessings enhance the auspiciousness of the night.
