Nepal’s national festival, Vijaya Dashami– popularly known as Bada Dashain– comes to a close on Monday.

The first day of Bada Dashain, known as Ghatasthapana commencing from October 4 this year, concluded on the day of Purnima with the worship of Mahalaxmi in the evening.

According to RSS news agency, legends have it that the Goddess of prosperity and wealth, Mahalaxmi roams round the earth on the night of ‘Kojagrat Purnima’ to see people who stay awake to worship Goddess Mahalaxmi to whom she is said to bless with wealth. It is for this religious belief that housewives maintain their vigil during the night of Kojagrat Purnima in order to worship and pray to Goddess Mahalaxmi. It is believed the night-long worship of the Goddess will bring more wealth to the devotees.

Another month-long festival of lighting a lamp called “Akash Deep” and offering Puja to the “Tulsimath” as homage to Lord Bishnu started throughout the kingdom on Monday. Buddhists also offer prayers to the Swayambu Chaitya throughout the night on this day in the belief that the “Swayambu Jyoti” emerged on this day.

The Kojagrat Purnima started from Sunday evening at 7:30 and will last till 5:48 this evening.