Karmandir 
Why it is celebrated
The full moon of Ashwin is called Sharad Purnima. It is believed that the moon shines with all its sixteen kalas tonight, so families keep kheer in the moonlight and stay awake for Lakshmi puja. In Braj it is remembered as the night of Krishna's Maha Raas.
The story
Two lovely stories are linked to Sharad Purnima.
The first is about Lakshmi ji. It is believed that on this bright night Maa Lakshmi walks the earth and asks, “Ko jagarti?”, which means “Who is awake?” That is why it is called Kojagari Purnima. In Bengal, Odisha and Mithila, people decorate their homes, draw alpana and stay up through the night singing bhajans to Lakshmi ji. Being awake does not just mean keeping the eyes open; it means keeping the mind alert and pure too.
The second story comes from Vrindavan. The Shrimad Bhagavat tells that on a moonlit night of the Sharad season, Shri Krishna played his flute on the bank of the Yamuna. Hearing the sweet tune, the gopis left everything and came running. Krishna then danced the Maha Raas with them, and every gopi felt that Kanha was dancing with her alone. This raas is seen as a sign of love and bhakti, where the devotee and the Lord become one.
That is why this night is called a night of moonlight, devotion and joy.
Puja vidhi
- In the evening, clean the house, light lamps and set up a chowki for Lakshmi ji.
- Offer Lakshmi ji roli, rice, flowers, incense, a lamp and bhog.
- When the moon rises, offer arghya (water) to Chandra Dev.
- Make milk-and-rice kheer and keep it in the moonlight in a clean pot, covered with a net or thin cloth.
- Sing bhajans or read the Lakshmi katha during the night.
- Next morning, share the kheer with the family as prasad.
Food
Milk-and-rice kheer kept in the moonlight; makhana in Mithila and coconut laddoos in Bengal.
Wishes to send
Warm wishes on Sharad Purnima! May the cool light of the moon fill your heart with peace.
WhatsAppMay your home always be as sweet as kheer kept in the moonlight.
WhatsAppOn this Kojagari night, may Maa Lakshmi visit your home and bless everyone with happiness and peace.
WhatsAppMay the night Kanha danced the Maha Raas fill your life with love and devotion. Radhe Radhe!
WhatsAppA full moon, full moonlight and the whole family together. Happy Sharad Purnima!
WhatsAppKo jagarti? Who is awake? Tonight, let us wake the heart and sink into devotion. Happy Kojagari Purnima.
WhatsApp
