Kojagiri Purnima 2024: Kojagiri Purnima, also known as Sharad Purnima, is one of the most significant full moon nights in Hindu culture. This year, Kojagiri Purnima is being celebrated on October 16, 2024, and the festivities hold immense religious and cultural importance across India. According to Hindu beliefs, this full moon night marks the closest distance between the moon and the Earth, making the moon appear larger and brighter than usual. (Kojagiri Purnima)
Kojagiri Purnima 2024 Timings
As per the Drik Panchang, Kojagiri Purnima begins at 8:40 PM on October 16, 2024, and the auspicious Purnima Tithi continues until 4:56 PM on October 17, 2024. This period is considered highly favorable for performing rituals and seeking divine blessings from Goddess Lakshmi, who is worshipped on this night for prosperity and well-being.
Kojagiri Purnima Rituals and Puja Vidhi
To observe Kojagiri Purnima, devotees begin their day with an early morning bath and don clean clothes. The first step in the worship is offering water to Surya Dev (the Sun God), followed by cleansing the home altar and setting up a picture or idol of Goddess Lakshmi.
The rituals typically involve lighting a ghee lamp (diya) after moonrise, offering kheer (a sweet dish made of milk and rice), and distributing it as prasad to family members. This practice is rooted in the belief that the rays of the full moon on this sacred night have a healing and nourishing effect, turning the milk into nectar.
Significance of Milk and Kheer on Kojagiri Purnima
A unique tradition of Kojagiri Purnima involves placing milk or kheer under the moonlight. It is believed that the rays of the moon carry divine qualities akin to amrit (nectar), and by consuming this moonlight-infused kheer, individuals receive health and spiritual benefits. This practice is especially followed in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
Puja Materials for Kojagiri Purnima
For the Kojagiri Purnima puja, devotees gather essential items such as:
- Kalash (sacred pot)
- Five types of fruits
- Flowers
- Ghee
- 11 Diyas (lamps)
- Betel leaves
- Incense sticks
- Sandalwood paste
- Rice grains (Akshata)
These materials are used in various rituals to honor the divine and invoke blessings for the household.
Why is Milk Consumed on Kojagiri Purnima?
Hindu mythology suggests that the moonlight on Sharad Purnima is imbued with special properties that make it akin to nectar. By preparing milk or kheer and leaving it under the moonlight, it is believed that the dish absorbs these divine qualities, making it sacred. Consuming this milk or kheer the next day is thought to bring good health, prosperity, and spiritual purification.
Celebrations Across India
In many regions, Kojagiri Purnima is celebrated with family gatherings, music, and prayers under the moonlit sky. It is a time of joy and reverence, as people express gratitude for the blessings they receive and pray for prosperity in the coming months.
This auspicious night brings people closer to the divine, as they celebrate the bounty of the harvest season and seek the grace of Goddess Lakshmi. The night’s spiritual and cultural significance makes it a special occasion for millions across India.
May the divine light of Kojagiri Purnima bring happiness, peace, and prosperity into your life. Happy Kojagiri Purnima 2024!
