Sharad Purnima, likewise understood as Raas Purnima and Kojagiri Purnima, is a day dedicated to worshipping Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. We are in the midst of the festive season in India, and it is difficult to keep the excitement going. After a wonderful, low-key Navratri, it is time to prepare for the Sharad Purnima. Purnima, as we all know, is a full moon night, but what makes this Purnima so special? This day is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Laxmi, who is also the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. In areas of Bengal, the festival is simply known as Lokkhi Pujo (Laxmi Puja), whilst in Gujarat, it is known as Sharad Poonam. When it comes to celebrating festivals, home decor items play a very important role and you can get the best pooja thali online at eCraftIndia.
Kojagiri Purnima (Sharad Purnima)
What is Sharad or Kojagiri purnima?
The implementation of this puja has a fascinating backstory. The tale says that once upon a time, a monarch was experiencing severe financial difficulties and was reaching through a difficult period. Seeing this, the queen honored Goddess Laxmi, fasted, and stayed awake all night to appease the Goddess of Wealth. Their crisis was ended, and they were blessed with fortune and delight once more. Following this, the Kojagari Laxmi puja became popular throughout our country, including the Maharashtra state. In the Maharashtra state of India, the Kojagiri Laxmi puja is held for one day on a full moon day in September or October.
What is the importance/significance of kojagiri or Sharad Purnima vrat?
India is a country that celebrates and holds festivals. Ganesh Chaturthi in September marked the beginning of the festivities, which will last through the end of the year. Only a small portion of India's lengthy festival season was visible in September. With holidays like Navratri, Durga Puja, and Dussehra, October is a month when festivities reach a peak. Happy Kojagiri Purnima is one of the holidays observed in the early autumn or Sharad Ritu.
  1. The moon is said to come out with all sixteen Kalas, or phases, on this day. Brilliant, lovely, and wonderful. Because the festival is associated with the harvest season, people implore Goddess Laxmi for fortune and victory.
  2. On this day, many individuals conduct a ceremonial fast (or vrat) as a gesture of devotion to Goddess Laxmi. They also get up early and cleanse their homes so the Goddess can stay.
  3. People in Bengal also draw artistic alpacas or rangoli in their courtyards.
  4. On this day, the vrat or fast observed could be nirjala or phallahar.
  5. In the nirjala vrat, no food or water is allowed; in the phallahar vrat, fruits, nuts, and milk are permitted, but grains and legumes are not. Get the best drinkware sets online from eCraftIndia.
  6. Pregnant women, the elderly, and the sick are not encouraged to fast or keep the vrat on this day.
  7. It's fascinating to note that on this day, worshippers from different locales honor distinct deities. For instance, some individuals pray to the Goddess of riches, Lakshmi Devi, while others worship Indra Dev. And in some places, Nandi, Lord Shiva's vahana, and their consort Parvati is venerated. Additionally, because it signifies the conclusion of the rainy season, some people celebrate it as a harvest celebration.
  8. Numerous individuals break their fasts with milk/curd or flattened rice, and some people complete their fasts with a dish of kheer. Buy glass set online that will be a great addition to the festivities.
  9. It is interesting to note that Vasudev and Devaki's child Shri Krishna, the ninth manifestation of Lord Vishnu, has sixteen Kalas at birth. In addition, Shri Krishna conducted the Raas Leela with the Gopis of the Braj area on the day of Sharad Purnima. Shri Krishna reflected a variety of representations of himself to go with each Gopi during the Raas Leela (Maha Raas), which is recognized as the holy dance of love.
  10. Folklore in some places, meanwhile, claims that Goddess Lakshmi travels to the planet at night. As a result, on the day of Sharad Purnima, her followers adore her and ask for her blessings for a good life.
What are the important rituals of this festival?
  1. On this day, worshippers often avoid solid food in favor of juices and liquids.
  2. The Masala Dudh, which is made with masalas and a lot of dry fruits, is the main attraction of this puja.
  3. In the Maharashtra state of India, the Kojagari Laxmi Puja is a huge celebration in the Kolhapur Mahalaxmi temple, where many devotees gather to pray.
  4. The eldest kid of the family is likewise recognized on this occasion as part of the tradition.
  5. In certain areas, girls only eat after offering prayers to the moon. They worship Maa Lakshmi and refer to it as Lokkhi Pujo.
  6. People who are fasting forego solid foods and just consume cold milk.
  7. When the fast is finished, they break it with a concoction of cold milk and rice crispies.
  8. While worshippers meet and celebrate the night in Maharashtra with traditional games and singing, people organize Garba and Raas programs in Gujarat.

FAQs- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the meaning of Purnima?
The word Purnima means "full moon". The day of Purnima is the day (Tithi) in every month when the full moon appears. It also marks the beginning of each month's two lunar fortnights (paksha), during which the Moon forms an exact straight line alignment with the Sun and Earth known as a syzygy.
When is Kojagiri or Sharad Purnima 2022?
In 2022, Sharad or Kojagiri Purnima will be celebrated on the 9th of October, 2022.
Is Happy Sharad Purnima auspicious?
Goddess Lakshmi is believed to embark on an expedition on this night, hence Sharad Purnima is also seen as an ideal time to pray to her.
What is special about Kojagiri?
Kojagiri means the one who awakens, hence this holy day is also known as Jagrit Purnima. An auspicious day known as Kojagiri Purnima falls on the day of the full moon in the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin. The most significant day to honor Goddess Lakshmi is this one.
Why Kojagiri or Sharad Purnima is celebrated?
The Kojagara Vrata is observed during the Kojagari Purnima. This Vrata is performed by people under the moonlight after a day of fasting. This day is a major day of adoration for Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, as it is thought to be her birthday. The end of the rainy season is when the 'pitta,' or acidity, gets worse, according to Ayurveda. This is the rationale for the recommendation of cooling foods to balance and neutralize pitta. Pitta is said to respond well to the ingestion of cold milk and rice flakes.
Why does milk play an important role on this day?
Making masala milk is a Maharashtrian ritual that involves adding sugar, dried fruits like cashew nuts, almonds, and pistachios, as well as spices like cardamom, saffron, and nutmeg. This is given to everyone who has assembled for the celebration after being kept out in the open and illuminated by the moonlight for a few hours. Some individuals decide to prepare kheer instead of masala milk. In Orissa, paneer and banana are typically combined and formed into balls for the bhog served at the puja following the fast. To make it taste better, some people furthermore add honey and powdered, crushed cardamom. The festive fare in Gujarat includes rice flakes with milk. Shop for serving trays online that are available in a variety of types.
Is Sharad Purnima good for marriage?
Worshiping God Chandra is seen as being extremely essential on the day of the Sharad Purnima festival. On this day, newlywed ladies take the vow and begin their Purnima fasting, and bachelorette women vrat in the hopes of finding a suitable mate. Each human trait is associated with a different Kala, according to Hindu mythology.
Conclusion
Now, that you know almost everything about the festival, celebrating it becomes much easier. Sharad Purnima or Kojagiri Purnima can be celebrated keeping all the important things in mind. We wish all of you a very Happy Sharad or Kojagiri Purnima filled with good vibes and prosperity.