Falls On: September-October
Also Known As: Kaumudi Celebration
Traditional Celebration: Of The Moon
Prayers Offered To: Goddess Laxmi
On the full moon day of Ashwin (September-October)
the Kojagari feast is celebrated. The rainy season is over and the
brightness of the full moon brings special joy. This is a traditional
celebration of the moon and is also called the Kaumudi celebration,
Kaumudi meaning moonlight.
At night goddess Laxmi is worshipped.
Some people believe that on this night Laxmi moves about from place
to place asking, "Who is awake?" ("Kojagarti?")
and shows her pleasure on those she finds awake. So people sit in
the moonlight singing songs, or keep themselves entertained in some
other way. They fast from solid food and take only fluids like coconut
water or milk. Milk is boiled till it thickens, and milk masala
(a readymade combination of dry fruits) is added to it and drunk.
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