Laxmi Pooja being observed today

KATHMANDU: Laxmi Pooja is being observed on Sunday as part of the five-day Tihar festival.

People worship the goddess of wealth and prosperity by lighting oil lamps to welcome her into their homes.

Kukur Tihar, a ritual dedicated to dogs, which are worshipped as messengers of Yama, the god of death, was observed on Sunday morning. Laxmi Pooja, the main ritual of the day, is performed in the evening.

Observed on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik (mid-Oct to mid-November), Laxmi Pooja falls on the third day of Yama Panchak, the five-day Tihar festival. According to religious tradition, Goddess Laxmi resides in clean and well-maintained homes.

People therefore begin the day by cleaning their houses. Special attention is given to windows, doors, rooms, balconies, terraces, entrances and stairways before oil lamps are lit to welcome the goddess. Marigold garlands are hung above doors and windows.

In the evening, devotees create a symbolic pathway from their courtyards to the main entrance and the room where the goddess is worshipped. Footprints of Goddess Laxmi are drawn using rice flour and red powder to indicate her way into the house. Oil lamps are placed along the pathway.

Another major feature of the day is Bhailo, in which groups of young women visit houses singing traditional songs and receiving rice, paddy, flowers, garlands, money and sel roti. The tradition is associated with a blessing granted by Lord Vishnu to King Bali, allowing him to rule over heaven, earth and the underworld for five days during Yama Panchak. According to religious scholars, the practice of singing Bhailo songs originated from the tradition of wishing households well.