Sharad Purnima, also known as Kumara Purnima or Kojagiri or Kojagori Purnima is one of the important festivals in the eastern parts of the country, in the states of West Bengal, Assam and Odisha. Kojagari is one of the most significant Purnima or Full Moon nights for Hindus and it will be celebrated on October 28 this year. Sharad Purnima is observed in the Hindu month of Ashwin.
The lunar eclipse will also take place on October 28 and so the lunar eclipse will coincide with the auspicious occasion of Sharad Purnima.
In Assam and Bengal, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi on Sharad Purnima for prosperity and abundance. It also marks the harvest festival, signifying the end of the rainy season. According to the Panchang, the Kojagari Puja this year has fallen on October 28, today.
As per Drik Panchang, the Purnima tithi will begin on October 28 at 04:17 AM and will end on October 29 at 01:53 AM. On the day of Sharad Purnima, the lunar eclipse will occur at 01:06 AM and is scheduled to end on October 29 at 02:22 AM. Its Sutak period will start from 02:52 pm on October 28.
Hence, neither Lakshmi Puja will be done nor Arghya will be offered to the Moon during this time. As per Chakrapani Bhatt, devotees should perform Lakshmi Puja and worship the Moon on Sharad Purnima before the Sutak period or after the lunar eclipse concludes.
According to the expert, it would be best to worship the Moon and the Goddess after the eclipse. Apart from this, on Sharad Purnima, Goddess Lakshmi is believed to visit the Earth at night. Hence, it is best if the Puja is done on Sharad Purnima but after the lunar eclipse concludes. This will also help devotees to make astrological remedies.
People, especially women observe the day-long Sharad Purnima fast (vrat) and prayers to Goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu. The puja samagri must include incense, lamp, kheer as an offering. Many people also feed brahmans and provide offerings to pandits.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
In several parts of eastern India such as Bengal, Assam, Odisha, eastern Bihar, Goddess Lakshmi or Maa Lokkhi is worshipped on Sharad Purnima. Maa Lokkhi as Lakshmi or the goddess of wealth is called in Bengali is described as chapala or fickle-minded and so devotees worship Lakshmi to win her affection and blessings. According to legend, the Goddess Lakshmi visits the houses of people to bless them when they worship her at night. Kojagari is derived from the Bengali words Ke Jago Re meaning ‘who is awake’ and it is believed that the goddess visits houses where people worship her on that night.
