Ko-jagiri Purnima/Sharad Purnima

Sharad Purnima falls on the full moon (Purnima tithi) of Ashwin month, after the monsoon ends and the autumn (Sharad) season begins. It is believed that on this night the Moon shines with all sixteen kalas (phases of perfection) and showers amrit (nectar) through its rays.

The name Ko-jagiri comes from the Sanskrit/Prakrit phrase “Ko jagarti?” meaning “Who is awake?” According to tradition, Goddess Lakshmi descends to earth this night and visits homes, blessing those who are awake and worshipping with devotion with wealth, prosperity and good fortune.

The festival is also associated with Lord Krishna’s divine Maha Raas Leela with the gopis of Vrindavan, and in some places with the birth of Goddess Lakshmi from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). In Gujarat it is celebrated with Garba, in Bengal as Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, and in Maharashtra with masala doodh and night-long gatherings. In Odisha it is observed as Kumar Purnima, when unmarried girls worship the Moon and young men worship Kartikeya.

Samudra Manthan: According to the Puranas, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the churning of the cosmic ocean on the full moon of Ashwin, which is why she is worshipped on this night.

Lakshmi’s night visit: A popular tradition says Lakshmi wanders the earth on this night asking “Ko jagarti?” and blesses those who are awake. It is also why gambling and games are played through the night in some regions, symbolising invoking fortune.

The Vrat Katha (the king and the merchant’s daughters): A merchant had two daughters. The elder observed the Purnima fast fully and her child lived; the younger observed it incompletely and her children died. Through penance and devotion, the younger sister eventually had her child revived, teaching the importance of sincere observance.
Krishna’s Raas Leela: The Bhagavata Purana describes Krishna performing the Maha Raas with the gopis in Vrindavan on this autumn full moon night, so it is called Raas Purnima in Braj and Manipur (Ras Leela dance traditions).

Kumar Purnima (Odisha): Linked to the birth of Kartikeya (Kumara), who is worshipped by young men, while unmarried girls worship the Moon for a good husband.
Valmiki Jayanti: Celebrated on the same day in several regions, honouring the author of the Ramayana.

Agricultural and scientific significance:
It marks the end of the monsoon and the start of the autumn harvest, hence the name Navanna Purnima (festival of new grain) in some regions.
The Ayurvedic tradition holds that autumn moonlight is cooling and soothing, balancing the excess pitta built up in the monsoon. Kheer kept in moonlight is considered beneficial for health, eyesight and vitality. The tradition is cultural and traditional rather than scientifically proven.

Regional observances:
Region Name / Practice
1.Maharashtra Kojagiri Purnima; masala doodh, night gatherings.
2.Gujarat Sharad Purnima; Garba and Raas, eating dudhpaua (milk-poha)
3.West Bengal, Assam, Tripura Kojagari Lakshmi Puja; alpana, nadu sweets, chaupar
4.Odisha Kumar Purnima; Chanda and Kartikeya worship, Chuda-Dahi
5.Braj, Uttar Pradesh Raas Purnima; Raas Leela performances
6.Bihar, Mithila Kojagara; makhana, paan and cowrie games
7.Manipur Lai Haraoba / Ras Leela

1.Fix the date and time: Observe the Purnima tithi of Ashwin month. Lakshmi Puja is done at Nishita Kaal (midnight) or after moonrise, as per the local panchang.
2.Morning preparation: Wake early, bathe, and wear clean (preferably white or light-coloured) clothes. Clean the house and decorate the entrance with rangoli (alpana in Bengal) and mango-leaf toran.
3.Sankalp and fasting: Take a vow (sankalp) to observe the vrat. Devotees keep a full or partial fast (fruits, milk and water), and break it after the night puja.
4.Set up the altar: Place an idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi (and Lord Vishnu) on a clean raised platform with a red or yellow cloth. Place a kalash filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut.
5.Invocation: Light a ghee diya and incense. Invoke Ganesha first, then Lakshmi and Vishnu.
6.Worship (Shodashopachara): Offer water for washing the feet, panchamrit abhishek, new clothes or cloth, sandalwood paste, kumkum, akshat (rice), lotus or other flowers, incense, lamp, naivedya and betel leaf with supari.
7.Recitation: Chant the Lakshmi mantras, Shri Suktam or Lakshmi Ashtottara, and recite the Kojagari Lakshmi Vrat Katha.
8.Moon worship: When the moon rises, offer arghya (water) to Chandra Dev with folded hands.
9.Kheer in moonlight: Prepare kheer from milk, rice and sugar, flavoured with cardamom and dry fruits. Cover it with a thin cloth and keep it in the open under the moonlight for at least a few hours (traditionally through the night).
10.Jagaran (night vigil): Stay awake through the night with bhajans, kirtans, Lakshmi stotras, storytelling, or games such as chaupar (traditional in Bengal and Mithila).
11.Aarti: Perform the Lakshmi aarti at evening
12.Prasad: After the night vigil, take the moonlit kheer as prasad, share it with family, and break the fast.
13.Daan (charity): Donate food, clothes or money to Brahmins and the needy, and offer milk-based sweets to children.