Kojagrat celebrations begin tonight: worshipping Goddess Mahalakshmi for prosperity

The Kojagrat Festival celebrated on the night of Ashwin Shukla Purnima, marks the final day of the 15-day Bada Dashain festival. This occasion is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Mahalakshmi, the deity of prosperity. Rituals for Kojagrat begin tonight as the full moon phase starts.

According to local traditions, on this night, Goddess Mahalakshmi is believed to descend to Earth and ask, “Who is awake?” Hence, the day is called ‘Kojagrat,’ meaning ‘who is awake.’

In Mithila, staying awake throughout the night during Kojagrat is a tradition. Special prayers are offered at the Janaki Temple in Janakpur on this occasion, with rituals involving offerings like betel leaves (paan) and fox nuts (makhana). The Kojagrat rituals conclude the following morning after sunrise.