KATHMANDU, NOV 03 - Hindus all over Nepal are celebrationg Laxmi Puja by worshipping the Goddess of Wealth on Sunday. Laxmi Puja, which is celebrated every year with much fanfare, is the day when Goddess Laxmi is worshipped by decorating homes with garlands and lights. All the nooks and corners of the house, including the courtyard, rooms and cowsheds, are cleaned and illuminated with colourful and decorative lights in the evening in the belief to attract the goddess of prosperity. On this occasion, people also worship the cow as the worldly manifestation of the goddess. Legend has it that gods and goddesses reside in each cow. Gai Puja is performed by putting a tika on the forehead of a cow, a flower garland on the neck, and offering good food as well as sweets to it. Some people light lamps and spend the whole night in vigil to please the goddess. The worship consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshiped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta. Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in her three forms—Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning) and Mahakali. On the day, groups organised Bhailo, a cultural programme played especially during the Tihar.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 05:43:04 +0000