Sharad Purnima or Kojagiri Puja is being celebrated in India on 5th October 2017, Thursday. It is celebrated on the full moon day of Ashwin month and it marks the end of monsoon season. The word Kojagiri means ‘Ones who are awake’. People in West Bengal celebrate Sharad Purnima in the form of Lakhi Puja. It is believed that in the white moonlight, Goddess Lakshmi steps on the Earth. After the midnight, Goddess Lakshmi arrives on her medium Owl to take a tour of Earth.
She also observes which devotee is offering her prayer while staying awake the entire night. It is believed that those who pray to Goddess Lakshmi on the Kojagiri or Sharad Purnima are blessed with prosperity and happiness. Even those who don’t have ‘Dhan Yog’ in their Kundli, are bestowed with wealth by Goddess Lakshmi.
Importance of Sharad Purnima or Kojagiri
It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi is born on this day. That’s why in many parts of the country, Lakshmi Puja is performed. During the Dwapar Yuga, at the time of Lord Krishna’s birth, Goddess Lakshmi incarnated as Radha in the world. Lord Krishna’s Raslila is also believed to have commenced on Sharad Purnima. Kartikeya was also born Sharad Purnima. That’s why it is known as Kumar Purnima by many people.
Popular Beliefs about Sharad Purnima
People keep a dessert called ‘Kheer’ on their terrace to celebrate Sharad Purnima. The Kheer is prepared using cow’s pure milk. Some people even add saffron to it. It is believed that the sky showers elixir on this day. Thus, the moonlight instils elixir in the kheer kept on terrace.
