KATHMANDU: Nepali Hindus are observing the Kojagrat Purnima (full moon day) today as the final day of the 15-day-long Bada Dashain festival by worshipping and paying homage to Mahalaxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Dashain festival formally ends today with the marking of Kojagrat Purnima when devotees worship Goddess Mahalaxmi at their homes in the evening and keep vigil the whole night. There is a belief that the goddess takes a trip around the world on the night of Kojagrat Purnima to see who observes the vigil at night. As per this belief, the goddess of wealth blesses the people who are found observing the overnight vigil. Since the ritual of giving and receiving tika and jamara  also concludes on this day, the jamara that is sprouted and anointed at the dashainghars on the day of Ghatasthapana are also disposed as per the religious tradition. On this day, people also worship at the Swayambhu Chaitya and observe the night vigil by lighting 'Mahadeep' lamp. (with inputs from Rastriya Samachar Samiti)