Kojagara Puja 2024: Date, Time, Rituals, and Significance of Kojagara Vrat
Kojagara Puja, also known as Kojagara Vrat or Sharad Purnima, is a widely celebrated festival in parts of India, particularly in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam. It is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and is marked by fasting, staying awake all night, and performing special rituals. In 2024, Kojagara Puja will be observed on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
Kojagara Puja 2024: Date and Time
The key timings for Kojagara Puja in 2024 are as follows:
- Kojagara Puja Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
- Kojagara Puja Nishita Time: 11:43 PM to 12:33 AM, October 17
- Moonrise Time on Kojagara Puja Day: 05:06 PM
- Purnima Tithi Begins: 08:40 PM on October 16, 2024
- Purnima Tithi Ends: 04:55 PM on October 17, 2024
These timings are considered highly auspicious for performing the Lakshmi Puja, especially during the Nishita Kaal, the most sacred time of the night.
The Significance of Kojagara Puja
The word "Kojagara" originates from the phrase "Ko Jagarti," which means "Who is awake?" It emphasizes the tradition of staying awake during the night of Ashwin Purnima, also known as Sharad Purnima. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that on this night, Goddess Lakshmi descends to Earth and blesses devotees who remain vigilant. Observing this fast and staying awake is thought to bring wealth, prosperity, and happiness.
The fast is also referred to as Kaumudi Vrat because the full moon of the Ashwin month is called Kaumudi, symbolizing the moon's brightness. Kojagara Vrat is considered especially beneficial for overcoming financial challenges, and devotees see it as an opportunity to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for material and spiritual prosperity.
Rituals of Kojagara Puja
On Kojagara Puja, devotees perform a special worship (puja) of Goddess Lakshmi, offering prayers, flowers, sweets, and coconut water to the goddess. The rituals include:
- Lakshmi Puja: Families clean their homes and prepare an altar with an idol or image of Goddess Lakshmi. They offer fruits, sweets, and flowers while reciting mantras and singing devotional songs in her praise.
- Coconut Water Offering: Devotees consume coconut water as part of the rituals, symbolizing purity and offering it to the goddess.
- Jagarana (Vigil): The night is spent in devotion, staying awake through the tradition of Jagarana to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Families play games such as Chausar, a traditional dice game, to stay alert.
- Moon Worship: The full moon holds great significance during Kojagara Puja. Devotees worship the moon as a symbol of prosperity and light, and it is believed that moonlight on this night holds divine energy.
Importance of Kojagara Vrat
Kojagara Vrat is not just a night of fasting and rituals but a celebration of the goddess’s blessings. The fast is said to bring wealth, health, and happiness, and many believe that Goddess Lakshmi bestows special grace on those who observe the rituals with devotion.
According to the Skanda Purana, Kojagara Vrat is one of the most powerful fasts, ensuring a prosperous life for devotees who observe it. The vrat is especially beneficial for those seeking financial stability and overcoming poverty, as demonstrated by the story of a poor Brahmin named Valit, who became wealthy by observing Kojagara Vrat.
Conclusion
As we approach Kojagara Puja on October 16, 2024, it is a time to offer devotion and prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, seeking her blessings for a prosperous and abundant life. Through fasting, rituals, and staying vigilant throughout the night, devotees honor the goddess and invite her divine energy into their homes, ensuring a year filled with wealth, happiness, and success. The brilliance of the full moon on Ashwin Purnima serves as a symbol of hope and illumination, guiding the way toward prosperity and spiritual well-being.
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