Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2026

Kojagari Lakshmi Puja: The Night Vigil of Sharad Pournami

Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is the worship of Lakshmi Devi with an all-night vigil on Ashwayuja Pournami, also called Sharad Pournami. It is mainly celebrated in Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Maharashtra. In the Telugu states the same full moon is observed as Sharad Pournami and as Valmiki Jayanthi.

The Story Behind the Name

"Ko jagarti?" means "Who is awake?". Folk belief says that on this night Lakshmi Devi moves across the earth asking this question and blesses with prosperity those who stay awake remembering her. A popular tale in these regions tells of a king's family in financial trouble whose fortunes changed after they kept this vigil and worshipped Lakshmi. Elders also say the Sharad Pournami moon shines with all its sixteen kalas and its moonlight is soothing for body and mind.

How to Perform the Puja

• Fast during the day; in the evening clean the house and draw muggulu. In Bengal, rice-flour "alpana" designs with Lakshmi's footprints are drawn.
• After moonrise, place a picture of Lakshmi Devi or a kalasham on a peetham and worship with turmeric, kumkum and flowers.
• Recite the Lakshmi Ashtottaram, Kanakadhara Stotram or Sri Suktam.
• Keep payasam made of milk, rice and jaggery in the moonlight for a while, offer it as naivedyam and share it as prasadam.
• Stay awake through the night with bhajans, stories and games.

For Telugu Devotees

The name "Kojagari" is not common in Telugu homes, but many families worship Lakshmi Devi and the Moon on Ashwayuja Pournami night and eat payasam kept in the moonlight. Coming after Dasara Navaratri, this Pournami is an auspicious prelude to Deepavali Lakshmi Puja.

Significance

Being awake means more than skipping sleep; it means being alert, sincere and hardworking in life. The festival teaches that Lakshmi stays with such people.

May Lakshmi Devi's grace fill your home like the Sharad Pournami moonlight.