This day is also known as Sharad Purnima.
According to religious belief, Goddess Lakshmi roams the earth on the night of this auspicious day.
Kojagiri Purnima, celebrated on the Shukla Paksha Purnima Tithi of Ashwin month, is a sacred Hindu ritual dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. She is the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and abundance. This day, also known as Sharad Purnima, holds immense significance, as devotees believe that worshipping the goddess on this night can bring financial blessings and remove all money-related problems. The word ‘Kojagiri ’ translates to ‘who is awake,’ symbolising the importance of staying awake and offering prayers throughout the night. According to religious belief, Goddess Lakshmi roams the earth on this night, and those who remain vigilant in worship receive her grace. The festival will be celebrated today, on October 16.
Pandit Sanjay Upadhyay, an astrologer from Kashi, explained that the Kojagiri Puja is crucial for attaining Lakshmi’s blessings. This ritual is performed by millions across states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, West Bengal, and other parts of India. On this auspicious night, any form of Goddess Lakshmi can be worshipped, ensuring her blessings remain with the household throughout the year. Staying awake and performing the puja with devotion is believed to invoke prosperity and ensure there is no shortage of food or wealth in the devotee’s home.
Sharad Purnima is also known as Raas Purnima and Kaumudi Purnima, with a deep connection to both spirituality and nature. Scriptures highlight the unique significance of this full moon, which is said to be full of 16 phases. Devotees believe that at midnight, the moon’s rays shower divine nectar or Amrit. As part of the ritual, rice and milk kheer is prepared and placed under the open sky to absorb the moonlight’s blessings. The next day, this kheer is consumed as prasad, symbolising divine grace and abundance in both material and spiritual life. This custom, passed down through generations, is a testament to the faith in Goddess Lakshmi’s power to bring prosperity and harmony to her devotees.
