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Did you know that unlike large parts of India, Bengal celebrates Lakshmi Puja not on or around Diwali but soon after Durga Puja? Also known as Kojagori Lakshmi Puja, this festival is usually celebrated within a week after Durga Puja across Bengal. This festival arrives just a few days after Maa Durga's departure and the end of Durga Puja in Bengal, marking the full moon of Ashwin, also known as Kojagori Purnima. On this auspicious night, we believe that Goddess Lakshmi roams the earth, blessing households with prosperity, wealth, and happiness.
With our family originating from East Bengal, our family’s Lakshmi Puja or as we call it, ‘Lokkhi Pujo’ rituals have been passed down through generations, and every year, we honour these customs with love and respect.
A Brief History Of Kojagori Lakshmi Puja
Image Credit: Saborni Saha
According to mythology, Kojagori Purnima is associated with 16 kalas, including Amrita, Pushti, and Shree, signifying entirety, fulfilment and prosperity. On this night, the moonlight is believed to possess magical healing properties, known as Amrit Varsha (Elixir shower). This divine light is thought to bless the earth with health, prosperity, and rejuvenation during Sharad Purnima.
The history of Lakshmi Puja is deeply rooted in the stories recited from the Lokkhi Panchali. According to mythology, Goddess Lakshmi roams the earth on Kojagori Purnima, bestowing her blessings on homes that are well-prepared to receive her. The tales emphasise that those who neglect their household duties and disregard tradition risk losing her favour.
One significant story from the Panchali is about Dhaneshwar’s wife, who was left destitute after her family’s wealth vanished. With the guidance of an elderly woman, revealed to be Maa Lakshmi, she followed the Lokkhi Brata and restored her family’s fortune.
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In our family, Kojagori Lakshmi Puja is a cherished tradition. Preparations for the puja start early in the morning. The house is thoroughly cleaned, as it's believed that Maa Lakshmi enters only those homes that are tidy and well-kept. A key part of our tradition is drawing alpona, intricate designs made from rice flour paste, on the floor. These white patterns symbolise lotus flowers and paddy, representing purity and abundance. We draw alpona near the altar and at the entrance, where tiny footprints are painted to guide the Goddess inside.
Family Traditions Around Kojagori Lakshmi Puja
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We don't bring Lakshmi idols; instead, we worship Maa Lakshmi Sora, a beautifully painted image of the Goddess on a rounded clay surface. The preparations begin with cleaning the house and drawing intricate alpana designs on the floor, including Lakshmi’s footsteps, depicting her arrival. A small mandap is set up for the puja, where we place the Sora along with offerings of fruits, sweets, and khichuri. At our place, we worship Naryana as well with Maa Lokkhi (Maa Lakshmi).
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Married women in our family, including my mother and aunts, wear the traditional white saree with a red border and gold jewellery during the puja. This attire signifies purity and prosperity. One of the most important parts of our Kojagori Lakshmi Puja is the reading of the Lokkhi Panchali. This sacred text narrates the tales of Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings and how following her path can bring prosperity. My mother leads the reading while the rest of the women in the family join in, reciting verses that have been recited by our ancestors for generations.
Another unique custom followed in our house is that after the puja, these women eat fish, which is believed to enhance fertility and ensure the longevity of their husbands' lives. This tradition is a way of seeking blessings from Maa Lakshmi for health, happiness, and harmony in marriage.
Seven Types Of Naru And Bhog Preparation
At our home, food plays a central role in Lakshmi Puja. Every year, we prepare an array of sweets to offer as bhog to Maa Lakshmi. The most important are the seven types of naru. We make narkel naru, a traditional coconut and jaggery sweet, as well as chirer naru (flattened rice laddus), til er naru (sesame seed laddus), and gur er naru (jaggery coconut sweets). My personal favourite is Narkel er naru, made from grated coconut, whole milk powder, cardamom and sugar, giving it a crunchy texture.
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Along with naru, we make mowa (puffed rice sweetened with jaggery) and murki (another dry sweet made from puffed rice). These sweets are prepared at home with love, using recipes passed down from my grandmother. Sinni is another delicacy we prepare as an offering to Narayana. In addition to these, we offer khichuri, luchi, and labra as part of the bhog prasad. Khichuri, made with rice and lentils, along with labra, a mixed vegetable dish, form a wholesome and simple offering to the goddess.
The Feast After the Pujo
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After the rituals and prayers, the moment everyone in the family looks forward to is the feast—where the bhog, offered to Maa Lakshmi, is shared as prasad. This prasad is not just food; it carries the blessings of the goddess, believed to bring prosperity, happiness, and well-being to the household. The meal is simple yet abundant, prepared with devotion and the freshest ingredients.
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The centrepiece of the bhog is always khichuri, a comforting dish made with rice and moong dal (yellow lentils), slow-cooked with ghee and spices. The aroma of ghee-laden khichuri fills the air, signalling the beginning of the meal. The khichuri is not overly spiced, as it is meant to offer simplicity and purity to the goddess, but it has a richness from the ghee and a mild warmth from ginger and cumin. It pairs perfectly with labra, a traditional Bengali mixed vegetable curry made with pumpkin, eggplant, potatoes, and other seasonal vegetables. Cooked slowly, the labra has a hearty, earthy flavour that feels like a celebration of the harvest season. Each bite of khichuri and labra is nourishing, representing the abundance of the land and the blessings of Lakshmi.
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Along with khichuri and labra, luchi is a must-have on this special day. Luchis are small, deep-fried flatbreads made from white flour, soft and puffed, golden at the edges. They’re the perfect companion to many of the dishes, especially cholar dal, a thick, fragrant Bengal gram curry made with coconut slices, ginger, and a hint of garam masala. The combination of crispy luchi and flavourful cholar dal is always a favourite, with each bite bringing a burst of texture and taste.
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Another essential dish is suji halwa, a rich, sweet dessert made from semolina roasted in ghee, cooked with sugar, and milk, and flavoured with cardamom. The halwa has a smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture and a gentle sweetness that perfectly balances the savoury items on the plate. Homemade kalakand is another mandatory sweet dish we offer to Goddess Lakshmi.
The meal also includes payesh, a quintessential Bengali rice pudding. Payesh is made by slowly simmering gobindobhog rice in full-cream milk, sweetened with sugar or jaggery, and flavoured with cardamom. Sometimes, it’s garnished with raisins or cashews, giving it a luxurious feel. This creamy, fragrant dessert is not only delicious but also holds deep cultural significance, as it’s traditionally offered to deities during pujas.
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A unique addition to the prasad is tomato khejur chutney, a sweet and tangy chutney made with tomatoes, dates, and sometimes raisins. The chutney acts as a palate cleanser between the richer dishes, providing a burst of flavour with its combination of sweetness and tartness. This chutney also represents the balance of life—sweetness and sourness coexisting, much like joy and challenges in our daily lives.
To conclude the meal, payesh is often served again, but this time it’s more about savouring the slow, lingering sweetness of the rice pudding. The labra and khichuri, the luchi and cholar dal, and the halwa all come together to form a meal that is as nourishing for the soul as it is for the body. We believe that Maa Lakshmi's blessings flow through this food, and sharing it as prasad not only brings prosperity to our home but also strengthens the bonds within our family.
As we eat together, we reflect on the significance of the feast. It is a time to give thanks for what we have and to share in the prosperity that the goddess has bestowed upon us. The food itself, lovingly prepared and blessed during the puja, becomes a medium through which we connect with the divine, with each other, and with the traditions that have shaped our lives.
The All-Night Vigil And Lighting The Lamps
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Another important aspect of our Lakshmi Puja is staying awake throughout the night. It's believed that Goddess Lakshmi blesses those who remain awake during the night of Kojagori Purnima. To ensure her path is clear, we light earthen lamps throughout the house, from the entrance to the altar. These lamps not only symbolise hope and prosperity but also protect the home from evil spirits. The house glows with the warm light of these lamps, and we chant devotional songs in praise of the goddess.
Our family observes a strict rule during the puja—no loud noises like fireworks or ritual bells. Only the sound of the conch is allowed, as we believe that Maa Lakshmi is frightened by loud sounds. This creates a peaceful and serene atmosphere, allowing us to focus entirely on the goddess and her blessings.
Image Credit: Saborni Saha
Kojagori Lakshmi Puja is a time for family get-togethers, faith, and food. The alpona, the sacred readings, and the elaborate food preparations all come together to create a sense of unity and reverence. Every year, as I partake in the puja, I feel a deep connection to my ancestors and a profound sense of gratitude for the blessings of Maa Lakshmi. Through these rituals, we not only honour the goddess but also celebrate the essence of life—prosperity, togetherness, and love.
