Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2024 – Muhrat, Puja Vidhi and Significance!
About Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
Kojagari Puja or Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is celebrated on the Sharad Purnima, the full moon day of the Ashwin Mah. That is why it is known as Ashwin Purnima. In some states, it is also known as Kamudi Vrat. It is especially celebrated in the states of West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam, also known as Bengali Laxmi Puja. It is believed on the night of the Kojagari Puja, the nectar falls from the Moon and blesses people. Devotees prepare Kheer on this night and put it out under moonlight. On this day, people worship Devi Lakshmi. It is believed that on this night goddess Laxmi visits people and blesses them with prosperity. The vrat observed on this day is known as Kojagara Vrat. The date and Muhrat for Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2024 are as follows.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2024 Date and Muhrat
The date for Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2024 is October 16, Wednesday.
Kojagara Puja Nishita Time – 11:47 PM to 12:37 AM, Oct 17
Duration – 00 Hours 50 Mins
Moonrise on Kojagara Puja Day – 05:13 PM Krishna Dashami
Purnima Tithi Begins – 08:40 PM on Oct 16, 2024
Purnima Tithi Ends – 04:55 PM on Oct 17, 2024
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja Significance
As per Skandapuran, Kojagara vrat is a very significant vrat. By observing this vrat, the devotee can attain the highest position and get blessed with health and prosperity. The day when Purnima is Nishithvyapini is considered best for Kojagara puja.
Valakhilya Rishi describes Kojagara Puja importance –
The disciples of Rishi Valakhilya once asked to describe the Upangvratas of Kartik, by observing which fast of Kartika gets completed. On that, he replied that on the Shukla Paksha Purnima of Ashwin month, one should worship Lakshmi Ji with devotion at night. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi is pleased by drinking coconut water and playing Chausar. At night of Kojagara Puja, Devi Lakshmi comes to visit the Earth to give boons to the devotees who are doing Jagrana. All the devotees who are surrounded by poverty must observe this fast because a poor Brahmin named Valit also became very rich by observing this fast.
The sages asked, who was Valit and where did he get the money from? Please describe this story in detail.
Kojagara Vrat Katha
Once, in the land of the Magadha, there lived a Brahmin named Valit who was very knowledgeable but very poor. He would accept donations but never begged for help. His wife, however, was always unhappy because her sister was wealthy. She often complained and decided to make Valit rich by any means, even suggesting he steal from the king.
During Shraddha Paksha, he had everything ready for the rituals but worried that his wife would not let him perform them and would argue. As he thought about this, a friend visited and asked what was wrong. Valit explained his situation, and the friend suggested that since his wife always did the opposite of what he said, he should tell her to do the opposite of what he wanted. Valit felt relieved and decided to try this approach.
That evening, he told his wife, Chandi, that he would not be able to perform the Shraddha for his father because his father left him no wealth. He asked her not to prepare anything for the rituals and even to invite poorly behaved Brahmins instead of the respected ones.
After Valit spoke, his wife decided to do the opposite. She prepared a feast and invited the best Brahmins to perform the rituals. At the end, Valit reminded her to immerse the Pindas in the Ganga. Instead, she threw them into a toilet well, which deeply upset him.
In his anger, Valit left home, determined to please Devi Lakshmi. He took an oath not to return until she blessed him, choosing to live in a deserted forest. He spent thirty days by the river Dharma, focusing on his devotion, as the full moon of the Ashwin month approached.
In the forest, the daughters of Kaliya Nag were also fasting to please Devi Lakshmi. They worshipped the Devi with offerings like Panchamrita, gems, and mirrors. After their prayers, they wanted to play a game of Chausar but they lacked a 4th player.
While searching for the 4th player, they spotted Valit by the riverbank. They approached him and asked him to join them. The Brahmin was hesitant, explaining that gambling leads to loss and destruction of values. One of the girls replied that while he sounded wise just his ideas were foolish.
Despite his protests, they took him to their temple, offered him Prasad and coconut water, and then began gambling, hoping to please Devi Lakshmi.
The Nag Kanyas began the game by putting priceless gems at stake. The Brahmin, having nothing, first put on his loincloth but lost. Then he risked his Yajnopavita, but that too was won by the Nag Kanyas. With nothing left, he put his own body at stake.
As midnight came, Devi Lakshmi was traveling with Bhagwan Vishnu and noticed the Brahmin in despair, devoid of everything. Bhagwan Vishnu asked why such a devoted follower of Lakshmi was suffering. He urged the goddess to help him, and she blessed the Brahmin, ending his poverty. Instantly, he transformed into a handsome figure, impressing all who saw him.
The Nag Kanyas declared that since they had won him, he must become their husband. The Brahmin happily agreed and performed Gandharva vivah.
When he returned, he realised his fortune had changed due to his wife’s earlier disrespect. He began to treat her with respect, and she happily followed his lead. Through his devotion, all of Valit Brahmin’s troubles disappeared, leading to his happiness and prosperity.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja Vidhi and Rituals
The puja Vidhi for Kojagari Lakshmi Puja are as follows:
- Worship Devi Lakshmi seated on the Elephant.
- Decorate the puja area with lamps and observe the fast.
- Perform aarti and chant mantras related to the Devi Lakshmi.
- Prepare kheer in the night and if you have a silver utensil, leave some kheer in it in the open under the Moon. You can also use regular utensils instead.
- In the night, stay awake and perform jagarana.
- Devotees should also organise feasts for Brahmins.
To know about the Kojagari Lakshmi Puja in detail, you can speak to experienced pundits and astrologers at NamoAstro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the date of Kojagari Lakshmi Puja?
A: The date for Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2024 is October 16, Wednesday.
Q: Which date is Bengali Laxmi Puja?
A: The date for Bengali Laxmi Puja is October 16, 2024.
