Kojagiri / Sharad Purnima.

Wishing all my friends "A Very Happy Kojagiri (Sharad) Purnima" May Goddess Maa Laxmi bless us all with Good Health, Wealth, Peace and Prosperity and also May on this Full Moon (Purnima) night all the blessings of Moon shower on us … Stay Blessed … 

** Sharad Purnima also known popularly known as Kojagiri Purnima, Ashwin Purnima, Navanna Purnima or Kaumudi Purnima, is a harvest festival celebrated on the full moon day that marks the end of monsoon by Hindus. According to Hindu calender the day falls on the a auspicious full moon day of Ashwin month, somewhere in September-October as per English calendar and it is celebrated in different parts of the country in traditions of their own way. This year ie in 2017 … kojagiri / Sharad Purnima will be celebrated on 5th of October as per the tithi / calendar. 

** There are several purnimas and amavasya in hindu calendar as per the hindu months, each month having both purnima and amavasya. The purnima concludes on the first half of the month that is Shukla Paksha and amavasya on the second half ie Krishna Paksha ending of that month. Purnima in particular marks the occasion of celebration of moon days. 

** Sharad or Kojagiri Purnima is one of the most popular among all full moon days, the other being Guru Purnima and is widely celebrated festival. It is believed that on this day the moon comes out in all different Kalas. For the uninitiated, sixteen different kalas when combined forms a perfect human personality. And these sixteen kalas come from the moon on this auspicious day spreading brilliance and sending auspicious signals.

** Again the term Sharad signifies the Sharad Ritu or Autumn Season of the year. Sharad Purnima is celebrated as a harvest festival and has huge religious significance. On this day it is believed that the moon is at its fullest brightness radiating all its brilliance. It is also believed that Amrit drips on the earth from the moon on this day thus sending on amazing medicinal and nourishing properties for benefit of human beings. Staying awake the whole night out in the brilliance of moonlight is said to rejuvenate the body. Kheer or milk rice is prepared and offered to Moon and kept in the open sky which is believed to absorb the moon light and its nourishing properties and the same is then distributed and consumed in the morning. 

** Goddess Laxmi is also worshiped on this day as it is believed that Maa Laxmi was born on this particular day. Devotees observe fast and stay vigil all night offering prayers and it is believed that Maa Mahalaxmi bestows them with wealth and prosperity. 

** Daan / Donation is considered as the most auspicious and important service to mankind performed by a devotee in Hindus. Man according to his believes and ability donates what is best available within his resources on this special occasion. It is a strong belief in Hindus that Daan / Donation to the needy propitiates sins committed knowingly or unknowingly by him. 

** There are many aspects and ways of giving Daan / Donation. It should always be given with swayam itccha ie with full faith and desire to give that comes from within oneself and not done by forcefully. Daan given in such manner is considered sacred by the Gods. Daan that is given secretly without being pompous earns the highest merits which is considered as pure daana which receives pure punya (blessings).

** There are many more Dana’s like Vastra Daan (clothes), Gow Daana (Cow), Kanya Daana (Daughter given in marriage) etc. While Anna Dana (Feeding of Food) is considered as one of the most virtuous of all. On the day of Kojagiri Purnima devotees make many types of Dana’s and thus seek blessings from their Guru and God. Any puja’s rituals done on this day plays prime importance in seeking blessings and good fortune for family from Maa Laxmi. 

** It is believed that when done with great Shradda (Devotion), Maa Mahalaxmi is said to pleased and bestow upon the devotees health, wealth, happiness, peace, prosperity and also bless them with protection against evil, enemies and adversities. 

** There are many more importance's of this day and my knowledge regarding the same is limited. I have given a jest of this religious day and Appeal for forgiveness in case of mistakes. This is compiled this from net sources and my friends. Having said this, I immensely believe that only faith, belief and trust in Guru and God gives you the best blessings and satisfaction in life. 

** Besides rituals of performing kalasha stapana, poojas and fast, lighting of diyas is for the whole day is considered important. While Mantras like Satanamavali, Lakshmi Sahasranama stotra, Lakshmi Ashtottara are recited by devotes to please Maa Laxmi. Singing of devotional songs / bhajans are a part of the ritual in the evening's worship.

** Ashta Lakshmi Stotram, is one of the greatest devotional prayer offered to Goddess Lakshmi and her eight manifestations. They are are Adi Lakshmi (Mother Lakshmi), Dhanya Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Grains), Dhairya Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Courage), Gaja Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Elephants), Santana Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Progeny), Vijaya Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Victory), Vidhya Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Knowledge), and Dhana Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Wealth).

** I have enclosed Ashta Lakshmi Stotram below for those who wish to say it ... 

1) Adi Lakshmi (Mother Lakshmi or Primeval Lakshmi)

Sumanasa vandhitha, madhavi, Chandra sahodhari hemamaye,

Munigana manditha, moksha pradhayini, manjula bhashini, veda nuthe,

Pankaja vasini deva supoojitha sadguna varshani, santhiyuthe,

Jaya jaya hey madhusoodhana kamini Adhilakshmi sada palaya maam.

2) Dhanya Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Grains)

Ayio kali kalmasha nasini, kamini, Vaidhika roopini, veda maye,

Ksheera samudhbhava mangala roopini, Manthra nivasini, manthranuthe,

Mangala dhayini, ambuja vasini, deva ganarchitha padayuthe,

Jaya jaya he madhusoodhana kamini Dhanyalakshmi sada palaya maam.

3) Dairya Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Courage)

Jaya vara varnani, vaishnavi, Bhargavi, manthra swaroopini, manthra maye,

Suragana poojitha seegra phala pradha, Jnana vikasini, sasthranuthe,

Bhava bhaya harini, papa vimochini, Sadu janarchitha pada yuthe,

Jaya jaya he madhusoodhana kamini Dairyalakshmi sada palaya maam.

4) Gaja Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Elephants)

Jaya jaya durgathi nasini kamini, Sarva phala pradha sastra maye,

Rathha gaja thuraga padathi samavrutha, Parijana manditha lokanuthe,

Harihara brahma supoojitha sevitha, Thapa nivarini pada yuthe,

Jaya jaya he madhusoodhana kamini Gajalakshmi sada palaya maam.

5) Santana Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Progeny)

Ayi kagha vahini, mohini, chakrini, raga vivrdhni, jnanamaye,

Gunagana varidhi, loka hithaishini, Swara saptha bhooshitha gana nuthe,

Sakala surasura deva muneeswara, Manhava vandhitha padayuthe,

Jaya jaya he madhusoodhana kamini Santhanaalakshmi sada palaya maam.

6) Vijaya Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Victory)

Jaya kamalasini, sadgathi dayini, jnana vikasini ganamaye,

Anudina marchitha kumkuma dhoosara bhooshitha vaasitha vadhyanuthe,

Kanakadhara sthuthi vaibhava vanditha shankara desika manyapathe,

Jaya jaya he madhusoodhana kamini Vijayalakshmi sada palaya maam.

7) Vidhya Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Knowledge)

Pranatha sureswari, bharathi, bhargavi shoka vinasini, rathna maye,

Mani maya bhooshitha karma vibhooshana, Santhi samavrutha hasyamukhe, 

Nava nidhi dhayini kalimala harini, Kamitha phalapradha hasthayuthe, 

Jaya jaya he madhusoodhana kamini Vidhyalakshmi sada palaya maam.

8) Dhana Lakshmi (Lakshmi of Wealth)

Dhimidhimi dhindhimi dhindhimi dhindhimi, dundubhi nada supoornamaye,

Ghumaghuma ghumaghuma ghumaghuma, Sankha ninadha suvadhyanoothe,

Veda puranethihasa supoojitha, Vaidhika marga pradarsayuthe,

Jaya jaya he madhusoodhana kamini Danalakshmi sada palaya maam.

** Once again .... Wishing all my friends "A Very Happy Kojagiri (Sharad) Poornima"  Stay Blessed and spread happiness … 

** Disclaimer : Pictures and Story : Just a short story Compiled by me from various net sources and friends to the best of my knowledge. May differ from actual facts which is not intentional.