Kojagari Laxmi Puja
Worshipping Goddess Laxmi on Sharad Purnima for wealth and awakening
Materials Required
- Idol of Goddess Laxmi
- Coconut & Kalash
- Puffed Rice (Khoi/Murmura)
- Coconut Sweets (Narkel Nadu)
- Alpana (Rice paste for floor art)
- Flowers (Lotus/Marigold)
- Incense Sticks & Ghee Lamp
- Fruits & Betel Leaves
- Conch Shell (Shankh)
Step-by-Step Procedure
Alpana & Preparation
Clean the house. Draw beautiful Alpana (floor art) with rice paste, especially footprints of Goddess Laxmi entering the house.
Kalash Sthapana
Place the Kalash with water, mango leaves, and a coconut (or a green coconut with stalk) on the altar.
Invocation
Invoke Goddess Laxmi. Offer flowers, sandalwood paste, and vermilion. Light the lamp and incense.
Offerings (Naivedyam)
Offer Khoi (puffed rice), Narkel Nadu (coconut sweets), and flattened rice (Chida) as Bhog. This is specific to Kojagari Puja.
Aarti & Pushpanjali
Perform the Aarti with the conch shell sound. Offer Pushpanjali (flowers) with mantras.
Jagran (Night Vigil)
Stay awake at night. It is believed Goddess Laxmi visits and asks "Ko Jagarti?" (Who is awake?). Devotees often play dice or games.
Laxmi Pranam Mantra
"Namaste Sarva Gevanam Varadasi Hareh Priya
Ya Gatih Tvat Prapannanam Sa Me Bhuyat Tvad Archanat"
Meaning: I bow to You, O beloved of Hari, who grants boons to all beings. May the state attained by those who surrender to You be mine through Your worship.