🔥 Driving Away Ill-Luck: Alakshmi Viday
Before worshipping Goddess Lakshmi in the evening, a vital traditional custom called **Alakshmi Viday (driving away the goddess of misfortune)** must be conducted. This is done to purge the household of negativity, poverty, and discord before welcoming divine abundance.
- Preparation: The women of the household make a small representation of Alakshmi using cow dung, placed on a banana sheath (Kala Peto).
- Banishment: The figure is taken outside the boundaries of the household or to a three-way junction (tematha) in the evening.
- Beating the Winnowing Fan: As the Alakshmi figure is carried out, a broken winnowing fan (Kulo) or dry tin container is beaten repeatedly. The family members chant in unison: "Alakshmi baire ja, Lakshmi ghore ay" (Misfortune leave our home, Goddess Lakshmi enter our home).
- Purification: Jute sticks (patkathi) are lit, and after leaving the winnowing fan and figure outside, family members return home immediately. They must wash their hands and feet and purify themselves before initiating the main Lakshmi Puja.
💰The Lord of Wealth: Kubera & Ganesha Puja
Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi is considered complete only when Lord Kubera (the celestial treasurer of the gods) and Lord Ganesha (the remover of obstacles) are offered prayers. This ensures that the wealth obtained is protected and guided by wisdom.
"Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanyasamriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha."
⭐ Astrological Remedies by Zodiac Sign (রাশি অনুযায়ী টোটকা)
To harness the powerful positive lunar energies of the Kojagari Purnima night, astrologers recommend specific spiritual remedies based on your moon sign:
| Zodiac Group | Auspicous Remedy / Offering |
|---|---|
| Aries, Leo, Sagittarius | Offer fresh red lotus flowers and kheer (sweet rice pudding) at Goddess Lakshmi's feet. |
| Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn | Place a silver coin or a clean cowrie (kori/sea shell) at the altar to ensure continuous cash flow. |
| Gemini, Libra, Aquarius | Dedicate five Gomati Chakras at the Mother's feet and place them in your cash box after the puja. |
| Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces | Light a pure cow ghee lamp under the Tulsi plant and chant the holy Kanakadhara Stotram at midnight. |
🏡 Traditional Bengali Folk Beliefs (লোকচার)
On the night of Kojagari, keep all major rice drums, storage containers, and bowls in the house filled with raw rice. Leaving grain vessels empty is considered highly inauspicious and invites scarcity.
Light lamps in the four major corners of the house and under the Tulsi altar. These holy lamps must remain illuminated throughout the night to welcome Goddess Lakshmi during her night vigil.