Dhaka:Lakshmi Puja was celebrated today with religious fervor and enthusiasm, marking the first full-moon night after Sharadiya Durga Puja, the largest religious festival for the Hindu community in the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this full-moon night is known as Kojagari Purnima, which is why the festival is also referred to as Kojagari Lakshmi Puja. The celebration included adorning courtyards with mangalghat (sacred pot) and sheaves of paddy, along with alpona (traditional rice flour patterns) often depicting the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi. Women observed a fast, and it is customary to stay awake throughout the night.
The Vishuddha Siddhanta Panjika, the authoritative Hindu almanac, notes that the lunar day of the full moon began at 1155 am today and will conclude at 941 am tomorrow. Evening rituals included worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, offering anjali, distributing prasad, and reciting from Lakshmi Panchali at temples and residences across the country.
In Bengali society, popular tales about Goddess Lakshmi, composed in Panchali form, are recited during the Puja, a practice known as 'Lakshmi'r Panchali'. Essential items for the Puja include vermilion, a consecrated pot, unhusked rice, and various other traditional offerings.
The term 'Kojagari' originates from the question, "Who is awake?" As per scriptures, Goddess Lakshmi visits every home on this night, and if the doors are closed and residents asleep, she turns back. Therefore, an all-night vigil is traditionally observed.
Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth and prosperity, is believed to roam the earth on Kojagari Purnima, blessing those awake in devotion. The night is considered the brightest and most auspicious full moon of the year, with Goddess Lakshmi arriving to bless homes with prosperity.
In Hindu tradition, Lakshmi is the embodiment of wealth, prosperity, progress, and beauty. Her divine vehicle is the owl, and she accompanied Lord Vishnu in his incarnations as Rama and Krishna. The Kojagari Purnima night is believed to be when Goddess Lakshmi visits her devotees to bestow abundance and prosperity. From ancient times, everyone from kings to ordinary householders has worshipped Goddess Lakshmi.