KATHMANDU, Nov 8: Kattik Krishna Aunsi, also known as Laxmi Puja, is being observed this evening across the country with special rituals dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the Hindu deity of wealth and prosperity.
According to Vedic traditions, the evening of Kattik Krishna Aunsi (Amavasya), which falls on the third day of the Tihar festival (Yamapanchak), is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Laxmi.
It is traditionally believed that Goddess Laxmi visits only neat, tidy and well-maintained homes. For this reason, people thoroughly clean their houses and decorate them with marigold flowers, lights and other embellishments to welcome the goddess and seek her blessings, according to religious scholar Toyaraj Nepal.
Gai Puja, Goru Puja and Govardhan Puja today
Traditionally, mud houses were cleaned with cow dung and red clay before being illuminated with oil-filled earthen lamps known as diyos. Nowadays, candles and electric lights are also commonly used to decorate homes.
Kattik Krishna Aunsi, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Laxmi, is also known as Sukharatri, meaning the night of happiness.
After cleaning their homes, devotees create symbolic footprints of Goddess Laxmi from the courtyard to the prayer room using a mixture of rice flour and red vermilion powder. These footprints are believed to represent the arrival of Goddess Laxmi into the house. Banana stems or earthen bowls are placed along the decorated pathway, with lamps lit to welcome the goddess.
However, Professor Nepal says Vedic tradition specifically prescribes lighting traditional oil-filled earthen lamps rather than candles or modern electric lights.
Following the lighting rituals, devotees place a diyo, a kalash (sacred vessel), and idols or images of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Laxmi and Lord Kuvera in the prayer room. Goddess Laxmi is then worshipped according to prescribed rituals, with offerings of jewelry, money, rice, fruits, traditional selroti and garlands.
Following the Laxmi Puja, girls and daughters are offered tika and money as a mark of respect, as they are traditionally regarded as manifestations of Goddess Laxmi.
In the evening, girls and women take part in Bhailo, a traditional singing and dancing activity in which groups visit neighborhood homes. Residents welcome the groups with offerings of money, paddy, rice, flower garlands and selroti, believing that such generosity will bring happiness, prosperity and good fortune to their households.
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