Kathmandu, Nov 8: Laxmi Puja, dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, is being observed across Nepal today with traditional rituals and prayers. The festival falls on Kartik Krishna Aunsi, the new moon day and third day of Tihar, according to the Vedic Sanatan calendar.
People begin the day by cleaning their homes, plastering floors with cow dung and red clay, and decorating entrances with lights to welcome the goddess. The tradition stems from the belief that Goddess Laxmi resides in clean and well-maintained homes.
In the evening, households draw the goddess’s footprints using rice flour and coloured powder, marking a path from the courtyard to the prayer room. Oil lamps are placed along the route to guide her inside. Although candles have become increasingly popular, religious scholar Professor Toyaraj Nepal said lighting oil lamps remains the traditional Vedic practice.
Devotees worship Goddess Laxmi alongside Lord Ganesh and Lord Kuber, offering jewellery, money, rice, paddy, fruits, flower garlands and sel roti. The new moon night is also known as Sukharatri, or the night of happiness, and is counted among the four major nights observed during the year.
Following the puja, young girls and daughters are worshipped as symbols of Goddess Laxmi and given money as dakshina. Religious tradition also discourages taking money or household belongings outside after the worship, as it is believed to drive prosperity away.
At midnight, women traditionally beat winnowing trays while praying for Alaxmi, the goddess of misfortune, to leave the house and for wealth and prosperity to enter, said religious scholar Professor Dr Ramchandra Gautam.
Another major feature of the day is Bhailo, performed by groups of young women who visit neighbourhood homes singing traditional songs. The practice is associated with King Bali, who, according to religious tradition, was granted authority over heaven, earth and the underworld by Lord Vishnu for five days during Yama Panchak. Bhailo is believed to recall the tradition of sending people to homes to convey good wishes. Its name is also linked to the phrase ‘Bhalo Hos’, meaning ‘may good fortune prevail’.
Households offer Bhailo performers rice, paddy, flowers, money and sel roti. Giving donations during Kartik is considered meritorious, while refusing is regarded as inauspicious.
Cities and towns are illuminated with lamps and decorative lights. Although some communities worship cows on Laxmi Puja morning, religious scholar Professor Dr Devmani Bhattarai said scriptures prescribe cow worship only after Kartik Shukla Pratipada begins.
This year, Laxmi Puja falls on a Sunday, coinciding with the regular public holiday. The Tihar holiday period begins on Monday and continues until the day after Bhai Tika on Kartik 26.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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