Reblogged from Kaleidoscope of my Life:

India is a land of festivals and celebrations; and the zest with which each festival is celebrated in India is unparalleled in the whole world. The festive season that has started with Ganesh Chaturthi in the month of September, will now continue till the end of the year. The coming months will be alive with festivals like Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali.

One of the lesser known festivals is the one that is celebrated during the ‘Sharad Ritu’ or ‘Autumn Season’. The full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin is celebrated as the Kojagiri Purnima or Sharad Purnima. It is a harvest festival that marks the end of the monsoon season.

The Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi (Vishnu’s consort) is said to roam the earth on this night observing the human beings, asking “Ko Jagarati” (who is awake?) and blessing those who are awake and celebrating life. It is also believed that the goddess was born on this day.

Continue reading at Kaleidoscope of my Life