Kojagiri Purnima on Oct 25: how to worship Laddu Gopal and what to offer on Sharad Purnima night

Kojagiri Purnima holds special religious significance in Hinduism. The festival is observed on the full moon day in the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashwin. It is also called Kojagara Purnima and Raas Purnima. This year it will be observed on Sunday, October 25.

The festival is also linked to Lord Krishna's Maharas Leela. According to the Braj tradition, the night of Sharad Purnima is considered very special. For this reason, devotees who worship Laddu Gopal, the child form of Lord Krishna, perform his worship with particular devotion on this day.

This religious belief is also the reason Sharad Purnima is called Raas Purnima. According to the Braj tradition, Lord Krishna performed the Maharas Leela with the gopis in Vrindavan on the night of this full moon. The leela is regarded as a symbol of love, devotion and the spiritual bond between God and his devotees.

Laddu Gopal is the child form of Lord Krishna. Devotees regard him as a member of their family and serve him as they would a small child. On an occasion such as Sharad Purnima, many devotees therefore pray to him for peace, love and prosperity to remain in the home. Religious events such as bhajan and kirtan are held in Krishna temples on this day. Special decorations are made and bhog is offered.

The tradition of making kheer on Kojagiri Purnima and placing it in the moonlight is very popular. It is a religious belief that the moonbeams of this night are like nectar. Kheer is made from milk and rice and is eaten later as prasad. Devotees may also offer kheer to Laddu Gopal according to their faith.

Besides kheer, bhog of butter and khadi shakkar (rock sugar), milk, fruit and other sattvik sweets can also be offered. Lord Krishna is believed to like butter, so many devotees offer him butter and khadi shakkar on special occasions.

Worship of the moon and its light is also considered special on this night. According to religious belief, the moon is complete with all its sixteen phases on this night and its rays have the properties of nectar. For this reason, many people keep kheer in the moonlight overnight and eat it the next day as prasad. Because of the faith linked to the Maharas Leela, the night is also considered special, so some devotees worship Lord Krishna and Laddu Gopal along with the moon.

As for the method of worship, on the morning of Kojagiri Purnima, bathe and clean the home shrine. Then dress Laddu Gopal in clean clothes and adorn him according to your own tradition. Light a lamp before the idol, offer flowers and worship with devotion. On this day Laddu Gopal can be offered kheer, makhan-mishri, fruit or other sattvik sweets.

After this, chant the mantras of Lord Shri Krishna, sing hymns and pray for the happiness and prosperity of the family. When the worship is over, distribute the bhog among family members as prasad.