When I was a little girl two pujas which were religiously performed at home were Kojagiri Lakshmi puja and Saraswati puja. If you know about Laxmi and Saraswati, you will know they are sisters and two sides of the same coin. They are Maa Durga’s daughter and her various avatars.
Without their blessings life is unimaginable. Now that’s a personal belief and have helped me in my own life. Even as a student at Safdarjung I used to do this two pujo in the hostel. My blog has wealth in its name and that’s for a reason.
About Sharad Purnima Kojagiri Purnima or Laxmi Pujo
The word Kojagiri is an aberration of ke jaage re.
That in Bengali means who is awake?
This Lakshmi puja is most often celebrated on a full moon or a Purnima night by people in West Bengal, Assam, Orissa.
The story of Kojagiri Laxmi Pujo
Once upon a time in a kingdom in eastern India, a kind benevolent king would buy all the leftover idols made by the artisans in his Kingdom, at the end of a market day. This helped sustain the poor artisans. One day there was an idol of alakshmi (Goddess of Poverty antithesis of all things Laxmi or good ).
The king bought the idol and took it to the palace. The Queen asked him to take it out but he didn’t listen. That night Goddess Raj Lakshmi left (Royal Good fortune).
Then Goddess Bhagya Laxmi left( Goddess of destiny).
Then Goddess Yash Laxmi left (Goddess of Fame).
But God of Dharma could not leave,as the King was just trying to do his part as a king and protector. But what good is a pauper king? The God of Dharma decided to give the good king, a clue in his dreams to solving his troubles. The king told the queen about his dream.
The Queen fasted with coconut water and chira (flattened rice), on the full moon night in the month of Ashwin. On the full moon night of Sharad Purnima, the moon is said to shower Amrita or elixir on the earth, the queen did a simple pujo. She offered five fruits, made alpana to invite Maa Laxmi’s footsteps into her home. Maa Laxmi came back and the king and his Kingdom was blessed forever, as the queen continued to observe and spread the story of the Kojagiri Laxmi puja.
A lamp is kept burning at night on Sharad Purnima in the month of Ashwin(Septemeber –October ) to let the Goddess know who is remembering her.
Goddess Laxmi is said to take care of your home health, wealth, child health, fame, fortune, and overall wellbeing. Now even if God is one, there is no harm in focussed prayers, right? One of my favorite Goddess and a much-awaited pujo at home where my little one is an enthusiastic participant.
How to do Laxmi pujo at Home:5 Things about Kojagiri Laxmi Puja
- Alpana (drawing with Goddess Lakshmi’s foot being highly auspicious)
- Five fruits offering
- Flowers, grains, and durba or grass used to pray.
- Rice kheer or paramanna as an important part signifying rice as a blessing by the Goddess.
- Narkel naru or coconut laddoos.
You can make more or less according to your wish. The bhog again is blissful with Khichudi or Basanti pulao, luchi, labra, payesh, Mishti, and more.
Last words:
Faith is a personal matter. But one thing I believe in is hope and positivity. That’s what Goddess Laxmi brings in plenty. I love to invite her into my heart and home and that’s why I shared this story with you. [bctt tweet=”May the Goddess of plenty shower her blessings on all.” username=”misra_amrita”]
Nice to know the story behind Kojagiri Laxmi Pujo.
Thank you. 🙂
Thanks for reading .
Came to know about a new ritual and thanks for sharing the same
Glad you found it interesting.
Nice post. I am not particularly fond of rituals. Your story resonates in some way why so many people in our part of the country undertake this puja. At the end of the day, in this interconnected world every good thought counts. Every good wish does not go unheard. All the power to all people that worship mother goddess in whatever form.
Very true.Hope and happiness are interconnected.