Kojagiri’ - The divine night of healing body, mind, soul
‘Kojagiri’ - The divine night of healing body, mind, soul
| Source: The Hitavada Date: 15 Oct 2016 11:13:50 |
By Rajendra Diwe,
‘Kojagiri Pournima’ also popular as ‘Sharad Poornima’, ‘Kojagara’ or ‘Kumar Purnima’ in various parts of the country, is basically an harvest festival. Goddess Mahalaxmi, a symbol of prosperity is worshipped on this day. The day brings together two major aspects in the lives of farmers prosperity through good harvests and spiritual blessings from a divine power which oversees all human achievement and endeavour.
Religious importance
According to Marathi scriptures, ‘Kojagiri Pournima’ is defined as the full moon night when Goddess Mahalaxmi visits every house asking ‘Kojagarti’ — Who is awake? Kojagiri means ‘Staying Awake’. The festival is known as ‘Kojagar’ as Goddess Lakshmi is called ‘Jagirti’. Hence, it is aptly said:
Nishithe Varada Lakshmi Ko Jagartiti Bhashini; Jagati Bhramate Tasya Lokchesthavalokini; Tasmai Vittang Prayacchami Yo Jagarti Mahitale.
This day is of great importance in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, eastern parts of India and Maharashtra. On this day, people perform special pooja of Goddess Mahalaxmi. This is also known as Kaumudi (moonlight celebration) in different parts of India. In Gujarat and West Bengal, this festival is popular as ‘Sharad Poonam’ which is celebrated after ‘Durga Pooja’. In Odisha, it is celebrated as ‘Kumar Purnima’ (Birthday of Lord Kartikeya). On this day, unmarried girls observe fast and perform puja to seek desired soul-mates and worship Lord Kartikeya. Many believe that no particular God or Goddess is worshipped on this day. On this day, the Sun and the Moon are worshipped. It is also believed that Lord Krishna began his ‘Raas Leela’ with Radha and gopis on the night of ‘Sharad Purnima’.
Religious importance
According to Marathi scriptures, ‘Kojagiri Pournima’ is defined as the full moon night when Goddess Mahalaxmi visits every house asking ‘Kojagarti’ — Who is awake? Kojagiri means ‘Staying Awake’. The festival is known as ‘Kojagar’ as Goddess Lakshmi is called ‘Jagirti’. Hence, it is aptly said:
Nishithe Varada Lakshmi Ko Jagartiti Bhashini; Jagati Bhramate Tasya Lokchesthavalokini; Tasmai Vittang Prayacchami Yo Jagarti Mahitale.
This day is of great importance in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, eastern parts of India and Maharashtra. On this day, people perform special pooja of Goddess Mahalaxmi. This is also known as Kaumudi (moonlight celebration) in different parts of India. In Gujarat and West Bengal, this festival is popular as ‘Sharad Poonam’ which is celebrated after ‘Durga Pooja’. In Odisha, it is celebrated as ‘Kumar Purnima’ (Birthday of Lord Kartikeya). On this day, unmarried girls observe fast and perform puja to seek desired soul-mates and worship Lord Kartikeya. Many believe that no particular God or Goddess is worshipped on this day. On this day, the Sun and the Moon are worshipped. It is also believed that Lord Krishna began his ‘Raas Leela’ with Radha and gopis on the night of ‘Sharad Purnima’.
Science and ‘Sharad Pournima’
There is a popular belief that on this day, the Moon showers amrit (elixir of life) upon people as it comes closer to the Earth. Moon rays have certain healing properties of nourishing the body and the soul. This is the reason, in Ayurveda, ‘Sharad Pournima’ is considered as an effective night to give medicines to those suffering from chronic diseases like Asthma.
The practice of drinking cold milk during this fast on this day has its origins in Science. ‘Sharad ritu’ brings in very hot days and cool nights. During such weather, ‘pitta’ or acidity becomes predominant in our body. Consumption of milk and rice flakes is a good remedy for ‘pitta’.
Medicinal ‘Kheer’
Dr Pankaj Oudhia, an agriculture scientist, in his research paper, has revealed the significance of Medicinal ‘Kheer’. He mentioned, “The practice of distributing medicinal kheer is followed in different parts of the country. Charitable trusts are doing the social service since decades. When I contacted different traditional healers, ayurvedic practitioners and patients who consumed the kheer, I came to know that it is prepared with 32 herbs. They claimed that proper use of the kheer cures the ailment in single dose. They suggested its use round the year on full moon days. In general, the inner bark of medicinal tree — Koha is used in kheer as medicine.”
Ayurvedic vaidyas add few pinches of Koha bark powder in kheer and keep it under open sky whole night. Next morning, at five, kheer is distributed to the patients. After consuming it, they are asked to go for a long walk. When they return, they are asked to take curry prepared from ‘Mooli’ with ‘Roti’ sans cow ghee. They are suggested to avoid consumption of potato, brinjal, Urd Dal and pumpkin for two months, Dr Oudhia said.
The practice of drinking cold milk during this fast on this day has its origins in Science. ‘Sharad ritu’ brings in very hot days and cool nights. During such weather, ‘pitta’ or acidity becomes predominant in our body. Consumption of milk and rice flakes is a good remedy for ‘pitta’.
Medicinal ‘Kheer’
Dr Pankaj Oudhia, an agriculture scientist, in his research paper, has revealed the significance of Medicinal ‘Kheer’. He mentioned, “The practice of distributing medicinal kheer is followed in different parts of the country. Charitable trusts are doing the social service since decades. When I contacted different traditional healers, ayurvedic practitioners and patients who consumed the kheer, I came to know that it is prepared with 32 herbs. They claimed that proper use of the kheer cures the ailment in single dose. They suggested its use round the year on full moon days. In general, the inner bark of medicinal tree — Koha is used in kheer as medicine.”
Ayurvedic vaidyas add few pinches of Koha bark powder in kheer and keep it under open sky whole night. Next morning, at five, kheer is distributed to the patients. After consuming it, they are asked to go for a long walk. When they return, they are asked to take curry prepared from ‘Mooli’ with ‘Roti’ sans cow ghee. They are suggested to avoid consumption of potato, brinjal, Urd Dal and pumpkin for two months, Dr Oudhia said.
‘Kojagiri’ events today
Shri Poddareshwar Ram Mandir: Medicine to cure Asthma with specially prepared ‘Kheer’ will be distributed on October 15 from 8.30 pm by temple trustees in presence of Pushkarlal Agrawal and Anand Kothari. For last 89 years Ram Mandir is rendering the service and thousands of patients across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and MP avail benefit of the medicinal kheer. Medicine is mixed with the kheer and kept under moonlight till 4 am and patients have to consume it in early morning after remaining awake.
Ramdeobaba Bhakta Mandal Charitable Trust: A programme of ‘Kojagiri Pournima’ will be held at ancient Ramdeobaba Mandir, opposite Lakkadganj Police Station at 8 pm
Shri Radhakrishna Mandir: ‘Medicinal Kheer’ will be distributed from 10.30 pm to 11 .30 pm at mandir premises in Wardhaman Nagar. This practice is continuing for last 30 years.
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