Kojagrat Purnima: Significance, Traditions, and Mithila's Unique Celebration

The day marking the end of Bada Dashain and the day before Kartik Snan begins is Ashwin Purnima, also known as Kojagrat Purnima. The full moon day of Kartik month is called 'Kartik Purnima', 'Tripurari Purnima', or 'Dev Deepavali'. The reason Ashwin Shukla Purnima is called Kojagrat Purnima has a mythological value and belief. The Sanskrit word 'Ko Jagrati' means 'Who is awake?'.

According to mythological belief, on this night, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, roams the earthly realm. During her journey on the night of awakening, Mother Lakshmi looks to see 'Who is awake?' at midnight, and it is believed that Lakshmi resides in the house of the person found awake and performing her puja-archana with a sincere heart, bestowing wealth and grains. This is why this full moon is called Kojagrat Purnima.