Kathmandu – The great Dashain festival concludes today with the worship of Goddess Mahalaxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, along with night-long prayers on the occasion of Kojagrat Purnima.

According to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti, this full moon day of the Ashwin month is observed with Mahalaxmi worship and the ritual of staying awake all night, marking the formal end of the 15 day long Dashain celebration. The committee also stated that today is the day for performing Akhil Balipooja, the final ritual sacrifice prescribed by scriptures.

With this ritual, the tradition of receiving tika and jamara,the blessings of Goddess Durga that began on Vijaya Dashami also concludes. After completing Akhil Balipooja, devotees immerse the jamara in nearby rivers, ponds, or other holy waters.

Dashain, also called Durga Paksha, begins from the first day of the bright lunar fortnight of Ashwin. People across Nepal celebrate it according to their family customs and means.

According to Professor Shambhu Prasad Dhakal, chairperson of the committee, it is believed that Goddess Mahalaxmi visits homes of those who remain awake in her worship tonight and blesses them with wealth and prosperity.

Among the three main forms of Goddess Durga, Mahalaxmi is one, and her worship today marks the farewell of the Durga Paksha. Although Navaratri ends on Vijaya Dashami, the Durga Paksha formally concludes on Kojagrat Purnima.

As Mahalaxmi is worshipped fifteen days before the Laxmi Puja of Tihar, this full moon holds special significance. The day is also known as Kaumudi Purnima. Scriptures mention that playing traditional games like dice (jua) tonight is customary. Along with Mahalaxmi, Lord Indra, who is believed to ride an elephant, is also worshipped.

The annual Kartik Snan (holy bathing) and special worship of the sacred Tulsi plant will begin from Tuesday, Ashwin 21 (October 7). The ritual of lighting lamps in the sky, known as Aakash Deepdaan, will also start that evening.