Kojagara marked at Janaki Temple

By Laxmi Chaudhari,Janakpurdham, Oct. 8: The Kojagara festival, considered as a symbol of Mithila’s culture and tradition was celebrated on Tuesday with great joy at the Janaki Temple in Janakpurdham.

Along with this, there is also a tradition of formally concluding the Bijaya Dashami festival.

This year, Kojagrat Purnima fell on both Monday and Tuesday according to the lunar calendar. It was celebrated in rural areas on Monday, but at the Janaki Temple, the rituals are being properly observed and celebrated today.

As per tradition, the Bijaya Dashami (Dashain) festival formally concludes with Kojagrat Purnima. Hence, today (Tuesday) is celebrated as Kojagrat Purnima.

In the Mithila region, this festival is known as Kojagara and the practices of wearing white clothes, preparing rice pudding made from lotus seeds, and worshipping Goddess Laxmi are still maintained today.

This ancient tradition embodies not only religious faith but also conveys messages of family unity and cultural continuity. On this day, wearing white clothes, preparing lotus seed rice pudding and offering it on the rooftop, and worshipping Goddess Maha Laxmi are characteristic customs of Mithila.

Special preparations have been made for the Kojagara worship at the Janaki Temple in Janakpurdham.

Ramtapeshwar Das Baishnav, the Mahanta of the temple, said that Kojagara Purnima is a symbol of Mithila’s cultural and labor traditions. He said, “Kojagara is not just a day of worship; it is a tradition intertwined with our way of life. Only by continuing it can we preserve our culture.”

According to him, festivals like Kojagara provide an opportunity to preserve the cultural identity of Mithila—something that local youth should embrace as a celebration.

On this day, a large crowd of devotees gathers at the Janaki Temple in Janakpurdham. Devotees buying worship items such as betel leaves, lotus seeds, fruits, and sweets have also added to the hustle and bustle in the temple premises.