Kojagiri Puja is the Puja for the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi. It is called Kojagiri because it falls on Kojagari Purnima. The rituals of this day are performed mainly at night. Read on to know more about Kojagiri Puja.
Speciality Of This Day
Kojagiri Puja is performed to eliminate poverty, sufferings and to bring wealth and prosperity to our lives. People draw rangoli patterns in their homes especially, the pattern of Goddess Lakshmi’s feet. They prepare special vegetarian dishes and sweets to offer to the Goddess.
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Kojagiri Puja Story
To understand what exactly Kojagiri Puja is, let’s read the following story.
Once upon a time, there ruled a noble king in the state of Bengal who promised his artisans that if any of object made by them remains unsold, he would buy them. Once it happened and an idol of Goddess Alakshmi (Goddess of Poverty) made by one of his artisans remained unsold and as per the promise made, the king bought it and placed it in his temple. As a result, wealth and prosperity left the kingdom of the king as Goddess Lakshmi and Alakshmi cannot reside together. The king was surprised and went to Lord Dharma for help. Lord Dharma suggested him that his wife (queen) should perform the Kojagiri Lakshmi Vrat on the full Moon night of the Ashwin month. The queen observed the fast and performed the rituals due to which the idol of Goddess Alakshmi melted away and Goddess of prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi remained back in the kingdom.
Rituals Performed On Kojagiri Puja
People keep fast for the whole day and perform Puja at night with minimum of 108 lamps or diyas, agarbatti and flowers. Kheer is prepared as bhog to please Goddess Lakshmi and is kept under the moonlight the whole night and is taken as Prasad by all on the next day.
Interesting Facts About Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
- Kojagiri Puja is always performed at night because the queen who began this Puja stayed awake all night to please Goddess Lakshmi.
- Feet of Goddess Lakshmi showing entry inside the house are drawn with a paste of powdered rice. The feet symbolizes that Goddess Lakshmi should come into the house and should never leave it.
- Fruits, grains, clothes, rice and gold are offered to the Goddess. Some Bengali families offer fish to the Goddess as they believe it to be sacred.
- Kojagiri Puja is done with a belief of eliminating poverty and gaining prosperity.
To download wallpapers of Goddess Lakshmi, click here- Lakshmi Wallpapers
Astrological Benefits Of Kojagiri Purnima Puja
According to astrological aspects, performing Kojagiri Puja and Dana-Punya helps in reducing the malefic effects of Chandra and Brahaspati. This Puja is very beneficial for people under antardardasa (sub-period), mahadasa (main-period) of Jupiter and Moon.
Other names
Kojagiri Puja is celebrated as Sharad Purnima Lakshmi Puja in Bengal and in Orissa it is celebrated as Gajlakshmi Puja and is known as Kumar purnia. People of Mithilanchal celebrate it as Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.
