Kojagiri Purnima (Sharad Purnima)

Kojagiri Purnima, also known as Sharad Purnima, is a serene and beautiful harvest festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin. This luminous night marks the official end of the monsoon season and is celebrated with quiet elegance across many parts of India. The festival is primarily dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. The very name 'Kojagiri' is derived from a poignant Sanskrit phrase, 'Ko jagarti?', which means "Who is awake?".

According to ancient belief, on this special night, Goddess Lakshmi descends to earth. She gracefully roams the streets and observes her devotees, looking for homes where people have stayed awake in her honor. She bestows her blessings of prosperity and abundance upon those who are vigilant and engaged in worship. The moon on Sharad Purnima is exceptionally bright and is believed to shine closest to the earth, its rays imbued with special healing and nourishing properties, often described as 'Amrit' or divine nectar.