Kojagari night asks for a clean altar, an alpona or rangoli, the right offerings and a pooja done at the right hour. A pandit leads the vidhi and the katha, so the household can enjoy the evening rather than check the sequence.
Why it is done
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is traditionally observed on the full-moon night of Ashwin (Sharad Purnima), especially in Bengal, Odisha and Assam. The name is often linked to the phrase 'who is awake', and many families keep a lamp lit and stay up for part of the night. Customs vary by region and household.
Who it is for
Bengali, Odia and Assamese families keeping the festival at home; households who want a simple pooja with the right sequence; people living away from their hometown who want to observe it with a pandit.
When to do it
It is usually held on the evening or night of Sharad Purnima, in the hours when the full moon is up. Exact timing depends on the panchang for your city and year, so your pandit can suggest a muhurat. If your family has its own custom, that takes priority.
Choose your ceremony
About 1.5 hours for the standard ceremony; about 2 hours for the extended one.
- Live video puja: A live video Kojagari Lakshmi Puja works well if the family is abroad or in another city: the pandit leads on video and you follow along at home. You will arrange samagri yourself, and a helper at home makes the diya or havan easier.
- Standard: The standard ceremony with 14 steps led by one pandit: purification, Ganesh invocation, sankalp, the main Lakshmi pooja, katha and aarti. A good fit for a nuclear family or a first time hosting.
- Extended: The extended ceremony with 21 steps, also led by one pandit: the standard sequence with a fuller upachar pooja, more time at each stage and a longer closing. Suits a family that follows the fuller vidhi.
If you want a simple, essential pooja, the standard is enough. If elders expect the fuller vidhi or relatives will join, the extended ceremony gives more time.
Choose 'With samagri' and the pandit brings the ritual items. Choose 'Own samagri' if you already have them or prefer to buy them yourself.
The sequence
- Purification and lamp lighting to begin
- Ganesh invocation
- Sankalp with your family's details
- Kalash sthapana and invocation of Lakshmi
- Main Lakshmi pooja with offerings
- Listening to the katha, as your tradition includes it
- Aarti and pushpanjali
- Bhog and prasad, often including kheer or sweets
How to prepare
- Clean the pooja space and decorate it as your family does, with alpona or rangoli
- Keep the Lakshmi idol or picture, kalash, flowers, fruits and the items your family traditionally offers
- Choose a clean, level surface for the altar
- Keep diyas ready and a safe spot for them
- Decide in advance whether you will use pandit-supplied samagri or arrange items yourself
- Let family know the evening muhurat so they can join
Who should attend
The household members, with the head of the household or the woman of the house traditionally leading the offerings, but families decide this for themselves. Guests can join for the aarti and prasad.
Your tradition
Bengali, Odia and Assamese households follow different sequences, offerings and katha versions, and some families keep a night vigil. Tell us your tradition and language when booking so we can match a pandit who follows it.
Safety
Diyas involve an open flame. Keep them on a stable heat-safe surface, away from curtains, children and pets.
Questions
How long should I plan for? About 1.5 hours for the standard ceremony and about 2 hours for the extended one, plus setup time.
Does it have to be at night? Many families hold it in the evening or night of the full moon, but customs vary. Your pandit can suggest a muhurat for your city.
Can we do it if we are not Bengali? Yes. Many households observe it, and the pandit can follow your own custom.
What if our family follows a different sequence? Your family's sequence takes priority. Share it when you book and the pandit will follow it where possible.
Can we do it on video? Yes, usually. You arrange the samagri and the pandit leads on video.