Ko-jagrat Purnima: Last Day of Dashain Festival

Hindu and Nevah Buddhist Nepalis celebrate one of the longest festivals called Dashain starting on the first day and ending on the full moon day of the bright fortnight of the Aswin in the Vikram calendar. During this fifteen-day festival, Nepalis make offerings to the various manifestations of Living Goddess Kumari and Goddess Durga Bhavani.

On the fourteenth day, Nepalis celebrate Ko-Jagrat holding a nightlong vigil with the home lighted up for the Goddess of Wealth called Laxmi to visit them. Nepalis worship Goddess of Wealth in the evening, and keep themselves awake the whole night turning lights on anticipating the Goddess of Wealth visits them, and make them wealthy staying at their home. This is called Ko-Jagrat, which literally means who can keep awake. This year’s Ko-Jagrat is on October 3, 2009.

Next day, on the early morning, Nepalis dispose of the sand, remains of the plants sown on the first day of Dashain and all the remains of the offerings made to the Goddesses in the nearest river ending the Dashain festival.

On the full moon day, Nevah Buddhists clean Chaityas and Stupas, and perform Buddha Puja. They believe that Svoyambhu appeared on this full moon day.

Then ends the Dashain festival for both the Hindus and Nevah Buddhists.  (SBR)