Nepal Traveller
Kathmandu
Laxmi Puja is celebrated on the third day of the Tihar Festival after Kaag (Crow) Tihar and Kukur (Dog) Tihar. The goddess Laxmi is worshipped as the goddess of wealth on this day. This day is also known as Gai (Cow) Tihar.
On this day people worship cows which are regarded as the goddess Laxmi according to the Hindu religion. In the morning people feed their cows with the best grass and fruits and decorate her with garlands made of Sayapatri (Marigold) or chrysanthemum flowers which are specifically used in Tihar. Devotees worship the cow try to pass through the four legs of the cow as part of the ritual.
In the afternoon people clean their houses with a mixture of red mud and cow dung. Footsteps are made using flour and powdered color mixed liquid to mark the entry of goddess laxmi at the entrance of the house. Patterns on the floor of living rooms or courtyards are made using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals outside their house, called Rangoli.
Houses are lit up with bright colored lights. Traditionally candles, Diyo (oil lamps) in different colors were used which is now replaced by electric lights. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi is attracted to the lights and will reside in houses that are well lit.
People play Deusi (festive songs sung by boys) and Bhailo (songs sung by girls) as part of the tradition. Deusi is a narrative poem that tells the story of the festival, with one person narrating and the rest as the chorus. They go from house to house singing and dancing. Selroti, sweets, Laxmi roti is prepared by family members and are offered to the goddess Laxmi. The whole nation especially Kathmandu looks very beautiful and lit up during the night.
Complied by Rina Kumari Mandal a content writer at Nepaltraveller.
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