Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is performed on the radiant full moon day of the beautifully calm autumn month of Ashvin. Devotees deeply worship Goddess Lakshmi to seek her divine blessings for familial wealth, agricultural prosperity, and enduring peace. Distinctly bypassing the pan-Indian Diwali Lakshmi Puja, Bengalis specifically host this celestial guest right after Durga Puja, making elaborate and breathtaking Alpana (rice flour art) across their floors.

History: The word 'Kojagari' intriguingly translates to 'who is awake?'. Ancient mythological scriptures dictate that the goddess descends from the heavens and roams the earth on this specific night, blessing those who remain awake, vigilant, and devoted. Historically, it is an agrarian thanksgiving festival marking the successful autumn harvest, where freshly harvested rice, coconut, and sugarcane form the core of the sacred offerings.

Significance: Unlike the rest of India which celebrates Lakshmi Puja on Diwali, Bengalis celebrate it primarily on this full moon night. Exquisite Alpana (street art) featuring footprints of the goddess is a major attraction.