Many people consider playing a game of dice, cards, or gambling a necessary ritual on the night of Kojagiri Purnima, also known as Kojagari Lakshmi Puja. The main reason for this custom is for people to stay awake when Goddess Lakshmi visits their house during the night.
🌙 The Meaning of 'Kojagari'
The name 'Kojagari' is derived from the Sanskrit phrase 'Ko Jagarti' (or 'Ke Jagoti' in some regional languages), which translates to:
“Who is awake?”
🙏 Goddess Lakshmi's Vigil
According to popular belief, Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, descends to Earth on the day of Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.
If a house has its doors open and is illuminated by lamps (diyas), the Goddess will enter and bestow her blessings.
Conversely, if a house's door is shut and the interior is dark, the Goddess cannot enter and returns without giving her blessings.
This is why there is a tradition of observing a night vigil (rat jagar)—to ensure the door is open when the Goddess arrives and calls. It is widely believed, particularly in Bengal, that those who remain awake and worship Goddess Lakshmi on this night are blessed with abundance.
🎲 The Custom of Playing Dice
The custom of playing games of chance is directly tied to the night vigil.
An ancient verse (shloka) says:
"निशीथेवरदा लक्ष्मीः। तस्मै वित्तं प्रयच्छामि अक्षैः क्रीडां करोति यः।।" (At midnight, Lakshmi grants a boon. I grant wealth to those who play a game of dice.)
Due to this verse, many believe that the Goddess grants wealth and prosperity to those who stay awake and play a game of dice (pasha) on Kojagari Purnima night. Today, people play various games involving luck, such as cards and other forms of gambling, often to symbolically know their fortune for the coming year.
