Hindus to celebrate Kojagari Lakshmi Puja nationwide Sunday
Lakshmi Puja, a major religious festival of the Hindu community, will be celebrated tomorrow (Sunday) with due religious fervour and enthusiasm.
The Puja takes place on the first full-moon night after the end of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of Hindus.
This full-moon night is also called "Kujagori Purnima", and that is why this puja is also known as "Kujagori Lakshmi Puja".
The Hindus believe that Goddess Lakshmi arrives to receive worship on the night of Purnima to give blessings of prosperity. In this belief, Bengali Hindus perform Lakshmi Puja in each of their houses.
In addition to the full moon in the month of Ashwin, some also perform special worship of goddess Lakshmi every Thursday. In certain regions, there is a tradition of worshipping Lakshmi on the evening of 'Dipanwita Amavasya' (the new moon night associated with Diwali). The worship is conducted using a ghat (a consecrated pot) or an idol and it can be observed either individually or collectively.
According to the scriptures, Goddess Lakshmi is the embodiment of wealth and prosperity. She is revered as the deity of progress, light, knowledge, good fortune, fertility, generosity, courage and beauty truly the Goddess of Opulence.
The owl is the Bahan (divine vehicle) of Goddess Lakshmi. When Lord Vishnu incarnated as Rama and Krishna, Lakshmi accompanied him as Sita and Radha, respectively. On the night of Kojagari Purnima, it is believed that the Goddess Lakshmi visits the homes of her devotees to bless them with abundance and prosperity. Since ancient times, everyone from kings and monarchs to merchants and ordinary householders has worshipped Goddess Lakshmi.
According to the Vishuddha Siddhanta Panjika (the authoritative Hindu almanac), Kojagari Lakshmi Puja will be observed on Sunday, October 25. The Purnima Tithi (lunar day of the full moon) will begin at 11:55am on October 25 and conclude at 9:41am on October 26.
In Bengali society, there are various popular tales centered about the Goddess Lakshmi. These stories, composed in the form of Panchali (narrative verses), are recited on the day of the Puja; this practice is known as 'Lakshmi'r Panchali'.
Essential items for Lakshmi Puja include vermilion (sindoor), a consecrated pot (ghat), unhusked rice (dhan), earth, mango leaves, flowers, durva grass, tulsi leaves, haritaki (myrobalan), sandalwood, incense, diya (lamps), naivedya (offerings of food), atap rice (sun-dried rice) and water.
During the Lakshmi Puja, the household courtyard is adorned with a mangalghat (a sacred pot) and sheaves of paddy, alongside alpona (traditional decorative patterns) made from rice flour, which often depict the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi. On this occasion, women observe a fast.
It is customary to stay awake throughout the night during Lakshmi Puja.
The term 'Kojagari' is derived from the question, "Who is awake?" According to the scriptures, Goddess Lakshmi visits every home on this night. If the doors of a house are closed and the residents are asleep, she turns back. For this reason, the observance is known as 'Kojagari' Lakshmi Puja and there is a tradition of keeping an all-night vigil. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in the homes of Bengali Hindus, many families also perform a ritual worship of the Goddess every Thursday.
Many within the Hindu community observe a fast during Lakshmi Puja. In addition to the religious rituals, alpona patterns specifically the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi are drawn in the courtyards of homes.
