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{{Short description| |
{{More citations needed|date=November 2023}}{{Short description|Deepavali occasion dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi}}{{Infobox holiday |
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| image = Laxmi Pooja.jpg |
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| caption = Idol of the goddess during Lakshmi Puja |
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| observedby = [[Hindu]]s |
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|image= Lakshmi puja.jpg |
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| date = Ashwayuja 30 ([[Hindu calendar#amanta|amanta]] tradition) <br> Karthika 15 ([[Hindu calendar#purnimanta|purnimanta]] tradition) |
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|caption= Lakshmi puja in an Indian Home |
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| date2023 = 12 November |
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| date2024 = 1 November |
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|date2022=October 23 |
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|date2021= November 4 |
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| frequency = Annual |
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| image_size = 200 |
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{{Hindu festival date info}} |
{{Hindu festival date info}} |
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{{Hinduism}} |
{{Hinduism}} |
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| ⚫ | '''Lakshmi |
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| ⚫ | '''Lakshmi Puja''' ({{Lang-sa|लक्ष्मी पूजा|translit=Lakṣmī Pūjā}}) is a [[Hindu]] occasion for the veneration of [[Lakshmi]], the goddess of prosperity and the supreme goddess of [[Vaishnavism]].<ref name=":0" /> The occasion is celebrated on the [[amavasya]] (new moon day) in the [[Bikram Sambat|Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar]] month of [[Ashwayuja]] (according to the [[Hindu calendar#amanta|amanta]] tradition) or [[Kartik (month)|Kartika]] (according to the [[Hindu calendar#purnimanta|purnimanta]] tradition), on the third day of [[Diwali|Deepavali]] ([[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]]) in most part of India and [[Nepal]].<ref name=":0" /> In Assam, Bengal, and Odisha, this puja is celebrated five days after [[Vijaya Dashami]]. |
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In [[Assam]], Lakkhi Puja is performed on the full moon day following Vijaya Dashami. It is celebrated in the evening with all family members participating in decorating and cleaning home as part of the puja. |
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| ⚫ | [[Lakshmi]], the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and [[Vishnu]]'s wife, visits her devotees, and bestows good fortune and her blessings upon them. To welcome the goddess, devotees clean their houses, decorate them with finery and lights, and prepare sweet treats and delicacies as offerings.<ref name=":0" /> Devotees believe that the happier Lakshmi is during her visit, the more she blesses the family with health and wealth.<ref>{{Cite book |last=selvam |first=Kayalvizhi saravana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=utUvEAAAQBAJ&dq=lakshmi+puja&pg=PA81 |title=Arts Of Hindustan |publisher=Kayalvizhi saravana selvam |isbn=979-8-5088-2055-8 |pages=80 |language=en}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In [[Bengal]], ''Lokkhi |
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| ⚫ | In [[Assam]], [[Odisha]], and [[Bengal]], ''Lokkhi Puja'' or ''Lakshmi Puja'' (লক্ষ্মী পূজা) is performed on [[Sharad Purnima|Ashvin Purnima]] day on the month of Ashvin, the full moon day following Vijaya Dashami and [[Durga Puja]]. This puja is also known as Kojagori Lokkhi Pujo. Women worship the goddess Lakshmi in the evening, after cleaning their house and decorating the floor of their houses with alpona, or [[rangoli]]. It is celebrated in the evening with all family members participating in decorating and cleaning home as part of the puja. |
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==Celebrations== |
==Celebrations== |
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[[File:The Rangoli of Lights.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Rangoli]] of Lights]] |
[[File:The Rangoli of Lights.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Rangoli]] of Lights]] |
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===India=== |
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Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth on the night of Lakshmi<ref>https://www.bspirituality.com/2019/10/lakshmi-puja-2020-2020.html</ref> Pooja. On the evening of Lakshmi Pooja, people open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place ''diya'' lights on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her in. |
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| ⚫ | People wear new clothes or their best outfits as the evening approaches. Then ''diyas'' are lit, pujas are offered to [[Lakshmi]], and to one or more additional deities depending on the region of India; typically [[Ganesha]], [[Saraswati]], |
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Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth on the night of the Lakshmi Puja. She searches for households where she will be welcomed, in which she will enter and spread prosperity and good fortune.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James |title=The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Hinduism |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group Inc, New York |year=2002 |isbn=0-8239-3180-3 |location=New York, USA |pages=200 |language=English}}</ref> On the evening of Lakshmi Puja, people open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place ''diya'' lights on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her in. During the days leading up to Diwali, people will clean, repair and decorate their homes to make them suitable for welcoming the goddess.<ref name=":0" /> |
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| ⚫ | On this day, the mothers, who work hard all year, are |
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| ⚫ | People wear new clothes or their best outfits as the evening approaches. Then, ''[[Diya (lamp)|diyas]]'' are lit, pujas are offered to [[Lakshmi]], and to one or more additional deities depending on the region of India; typically [[Ganesha]], [[Saraswati]], or [[Kubera]].<ref name=tp>Pintchman, Tracy. ''Guests at God's Wedding: Celebrating Kartik among the Women of Benares'', pp. 59–65. State University of New York Press, 2005. {{ISBN|0-7914-6596-9}}.</ref> Lakshmi symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead. |
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| ⚫ | It is popularly believed that Lakshmi likes cleanliness and will visit the cleanest house first. Hence, |
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| ⚫ | On this day, the mothers, who work hard all year, are praised by the family. Mothers are seen to embody a part of Lakshmi, the good fortune and prosperity of the household.<ref name=jgl>Lochtefeld, James G. "Diwali" in ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism'', Vol. 1: A–M, pp. 200–201. Rosen Publishing. {{ISBN|9780823931798}}.</ref> Small earthenware lamps filled with oil are lighted and placed in rows by some Hindus along the parapets of temples and houses. Some set ''diyas'' adrift on rivers and streams. Important relationships and friendships are also recognised during the day, by visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts and [[South Asian sweets|sweets]].<ref name="ReferenceA">Jean Mead, How and Why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?, {{ISBN|978-0-237-534-127}}</ref><ref>John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford UP, 2000), See Festivals</ref> |
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The most auspicious time for the puja is decided when “amavasya tithi” prevails during “pradosh kaal” or the evening time. On this day, the sun enters its second course and passes the constellation [[Libra (constellation)|Libra]], which is represented by the balance or scale. Hence, the sign of Libra is believed to suggest the balancing and closing of account books.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}} |
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| ⚫ | It is popularly believed that Lakshmi likes cleanliness and will visit the cleanest house first. Hence, offerings of ''haldi'' (turmeric) and ''sindoor'' (vermilion) are made on this day. In certain regions, Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: [[Ganesha]] is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighneshvara; the goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms: [[Mahalakshmi]], the goddess of wealth and money, [[Mahasaraswati]], the goddess of books and learning, and [[Mahakali]]. [[Kubera]] the treasurer of the gods is also worshipped.[[File:Laxmi puja.jpg|thumb|Lakshmi Puja in home]] |
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After the ''puja'', people go outside and celebrate by lighting up fireworks. The children enjoy [[sparklers]] and variety of small fireworks, while adults enjoy playing with ground chakra, Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar), [[sutli bomb]], [[chocolate bomb]], rockets and bigger fireworks.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/light-up-your-day/article5281060.ece Light up your day] The Hindu (28 October 2013)</ref> The fireworks signify celebration of Diwalias well a way to chase away evil spirits.<ref name="Firecracker2">{{cite book|url = https://archive.org/details/kidsguidetoasian0000petr|url-access = registration|page = [https://archive.org/details/kidsguidetoasian0000petr/page/175 175]|title = Asian American History|first=Valerie|last=Petrillo|publisher=Chicago Review Press|quote=There are firecrackers everywhere to scare off evil spirits and contribute to the festive atmosphere.|access-date = 26 October 2011|isbn = 978-1-55652-634-3|date = 28 May 2007}}</ref><ref name="Firecracker3">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=TRyb8XqB7dEC&q=lamps+diwali+evil+spirits&pg=SA9-PA1|title = The International Holiday & Festival Primer|first1=David|last1=DeRocco|first2=Joan|last2=Dundas|author3=Ian Zimmerman|publisher=Full Blast Productions|quote=But as well as delighting the spectators, the fireworks are believed to chase away evil spirits.|access-date = 26 October 2011|isbn = 978-1-895451-24-5|year = 1996}}</ref> After fireworks, people head back to a family feast, conversations and ''[[South Asian sweets|mithai]]'' (sweets, desserts).<ref name=tp/> |
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People also perform vaibhava Lakshmi vrat for only one day it is believed that doing vrat on Diwali gives the blessings of vrat doing it for 21 times. |
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Vaibhavalakshmi Vrat (Pious Observance & Worship of Laxmi) is also celebrated in many parts of India in the month of Margashirsha (the ninth month of Hindu Calendar) every Friday. Vaibhav means “Prosperity and Wealth” and hence Goddess Vaibhavalakshmi is believed to protect the devotees from misfortunes and grant them grace, happiness, wealth and prosperity. |
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[[File:Laxmi puja.jpg|thumb|Laxmi puja in home]] |
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Vaibhavalakshmi Poojan (Worship) is held at Juinagar, Maharashtra, India by Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Trust (Mumbai, India) every year with great enthusiasm. Thousands of devotees participate in this poojan and carry out the rituals with discipline and in harmony.<ref>https://aniruddhafoundation.com/vaibhavalakshmi-pooja-festival/</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aajtak.intoday.in/story/vaibhav-laxmi-vrat-katha-1-796454.html|title = वैभव लक्ष्मी व्रत की महिमा व कथा}}</ref><ref>http://www.vaibhavlakshmi.org/about-vaibhav-lakshmi-puja.html</ref> |
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[[File:Kojagori Lokkhi Pujo.jpg|thumb|The clay model of goddess |
[[File:Kojagori Lokkhi Pujo.jpg|thumb|The clay model of goddess Lakshmi accompanied by her consort Vishnu and a boat (on the left side of the image) consisting five drums having grains, gold, silver, cotton and cowrie shells in Bengal]] |
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In Bengal, the goddess Lakshmi is worshipped five days after Vijaya Dashami on the full moon day of Sharada. This is known as Kojagori Lokkhi Pujo (কোজাগরী লক্ষ্মী |
In Bengal, the goddess Lakshmi is worshipped five days after Vijaya Dashami on the full moon day of Sharada. This is known as Kojagori Lokkhi Pujo (কোজাগরী লক্ষ্মী পুজো) in Bengali. On this day generally, the goddess is worshipped at night. She is also worshipped in the form of banana trees (কলা বউ), designed clay cover of utensils (সরা), accompanied by a small boat containing five drums. She is also worshipped on the eve of [[Diwali|Deepavali]] which is commonly known as Dipanwita Lokkhi puja (দীপান্বিতা লক্ষ্মী পুজো) or Alakshmi Viday (Leaving of Alakshmi). The goddess is also worshipped in the month of Bhadra (August–September) on Thursdays. She is worshipped as rice put into a utensil (হাঁড়ি) which is changed annually. This worship is also practiced in the month of Poush (December–January). |
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In [[Assam]] |
In [[Assam]], Lakshmi/Lakkhi puja (লক্ষ্মী পূজা) is celebrated five days after Vijoya Doshomi. Family members participates in decorating home entrances to welcome goddess Lakshmi. Prasad usually includes sweets, moong/gram, fruits etc. |
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===Nepal=== |
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Lakshmi Puja is celebrated as a part of [[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]], a second national festival of Nepal after [[Dashain]]. In Nepal, it is celebrated for five days, which include Kag (crow) Tihar; Kukur (dog) Tihar; Gai (cow) Tihar in the morning and |
Lakshmi Puja is celebrated as a part of [[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]], a second national festival of Nepal after [[Dashain]]. In Nepal, it is celebrated for five days, which include Kag (crow) Tihar; Kukur (dog) Tihar; Gai (cow) Tihar in the morning and Lakshmi Puja at night; Maha puja (self puja); Goru (Ox and Bull) Tihar and Gobardhan puja; and finally, Bhai Tika (Bhai dhooj)—respectively the first, second, third, fourth and fifth days. |
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On Lakshmi Puja in Nepal, people buy gold and silver, precious gemstones, new utensils of copper, brass and bronze as a sign of good luck, prosperity, money and wealth. These are then used to worship Lakshmi at night. Nepalese people perform this worship at a place cleansed with holy water, cow dung and red mud; they light the whole house with candles and lamps. From Lakshmi Puja, [[Deusi |
On Lakshmi Puja in Nepal, people buy gold and silver, precious gemstones, new utensils of copper, brass and bronze as a sign of good luck, prosperity, money and wealth. These are then used to worship Lakshmi at night. Nepalese people perform this worship at a place cleansed with holy water, cow dung and red mud; they light the whole house with candles and lamps. From Lakshmi Puja, [[Deusi/Bhailo]] is performed by gathering with friends. |
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==Puja== |
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[[File:Lakshmi Puja, Bhubaneswar - Oct 2010.jpg|thumb|Lakshmi Puja, Bhubaneshwar]] |
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In the beginning of the puja, the houses are cleaned and a [[rangoli]] is drawn at the doorstep to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. |
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In the beginning of the [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]], the houses of devotees are cleaned, and [[rangoli]] is drawn at the doorstep to welcome the goddess Lakshmi.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rosen |first=Steven |title=Essential Hinduism |publisher=Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. |year=2006 |isbn=0-275-99006-0 |edition=1st |location=United States of America |pages=209 |language=English}}</ref> While there is no consensus of the standardised ritual to pray to the goddess, variations of the puja exist across the regions of the Indian subcontinent as well as Southeast Asia. However a central component in almost all forms of puja is the process of ''darshan'', a form of devotion via the exchange of affectionate glances between an image of the deity and a devotee, initiating a relationship between the two. Other integral parts of puja come in the form of offerings given to the deity by the devotee, sanctifying the food (''prasad'') by divine contact, for the devotee to then distribute and consume.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James |title=The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Hinduism |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group Inc |year=2002 |isbn=0-8239-3180-3 |edition=2 |location=New York, USA |pages=529 |language=English}}</ref> |
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===Procedure=== |
===Procedure=== |
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Before beginning the puja, Hindus consider it important to cleanse and purify the space where the |
Before beginning the puja, Hindus consider it important to cleanse and purify the space where the puja is being carried out. For this, benzoin is lighted using either coal, or dried pancakes made of cow-dung. Its fumes of incense are considered to purify the atmosphere. |
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Once the place is |
Once the place is cleansed, the puja begins by laying down a piece of new cloth on a raised platform. Handfuls of grains are sprayed in the centre of the cloth and a [[kalasha]] made of gold, silver, or copper is placed on top. Three-quarters of the kalasha is filled with water and betel nut, a flower, a coin, and a few rice grains are added to it. Five kinds of leaves are arranged (if a specified species is not available, leaves from a mango tree are used) and a small dish filled with rice grains is placed on the kalasha. A lotus is drawn over the rice grains with turmeric powder and the idol of goddess Lakshmi is placed over the top of the kalasha, and coins are placed around it. |
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An idol of [[Ganesha]] is placed in front of the kalasha, on the right-hand side pointing towards the south-west. Ink and business account books of the worshippers are kept on the platform. Specially blended oils made for puja are used with its ingredients varying, depending on the deity it's being offered to. A "Panchmukhi Diya" (Five faced lamp) accommodating five wicks are lit for this purpose. A special lamp is then lit in front of Lord Ganesha. |
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[[File:Tiler Naru - Kojagari Lakshmi Puja Offering - Bengali Brahman Family - Howrah 20171005173335.jpg|thumb|Tiler naru offered to goddess Lakshmi during the puja at a household in [[West Bengal]], India |
[[File:Tiler Naru - Kojagari Lakshmi Puja Offering - Bengali Brahman Family - Howrah 20171005173335.jpg|thumb|Tiler naru offered to goddess Lakshmi during the puja at a household in [[West Bengal]], India]] |
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The puja begins by offering turmeric, [[kumkuma]] and flowers to the |
The puja begins by offering turmeric, [[kumkuma]] and flowers to the goddess Lakshmi. Turmeric, kumkuma, and flowers are offered to the water, later used for the puja. The river goddess [[Saraswati]] is invoked to become part of that water. Lakshmi is worshipped and invoked by reciting Vedic mantras, hymns and prayers addressed to her. Her idol is placed in a plate and is bathed with [[panchamrita]] (a mixture of milk, curd, [[ghee]] or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing a gold ornament or a pearl. Her idol is cleaned and placed back on the kalasha. A special lamp is then lit in front of goddess Lakshmi. |
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Offerings of sandal paste, saffron paste, garland of cotton beads or flowers, [[ittar]] (perfume), turmeric, |
Offerings of sandal paste, saffron paste, garland of cotton beads or flowers, [[ittar]] (perfume), turmeric, kumkuma, [[abir]], and gulal are then made to the goddess Lakshmi. Flowers and garlands, such as lotus, marigold, rose, chrysanthemums and leaves of [[Aegle marmelos|bael]] (wood apple tree) are also offered. An incense stick is lit for her. An offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambulam, is made later. Puffed rice and batasha (varieties of Indian sweets) are placed near the idol. Puffed rice, batasha, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds are poured or offered to her idol. |
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In villages, a pot made of bamboo-canes measuring the paddy known as Nana' is filled up to the brink with freshly harvest paddy. Rice and lentils are also kept with the paddy. The `Mana' is the symbol of Mahalakshmi. Adoration of the |
In the villages, a pot made of bamboo-canes measuring the paddy known as Nana' is filled up to the brink with freshly harvest paddy. Rice and lentils are also kept with the paddy. The `Mana' is the symbol of Mahalakshmi. Adoration of the goddess is done by offering fruits, coconut, banana, doob-grass, amla, curd, turmeric, flowers, incense etc. It is customary to read out the Odia text [[Lakshmi Purana]] while performing the puja.<ref name= JM>{{cite book |last= Mohapatra |first= J |date= 2013 |title= Wellness In Indian Festivals & Rituals |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=UdpzAgAAQBAJ&q=lakshmi+pooja&pg=PA173 |publisher= Partridge Publishing |page= 173 |isbn= 9781482816907 }}</ref> |
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A [[ |
A [[swastika]] symbol is also then drawn on the safe or vault in which the devotee keeps their valuables and it is worshipped as a symbol of [[Kubera]]. |
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Towards the end of the ritual, [[ |
Towards the end of the ritual, the [[aarti]] is performed which is dedicated to goddess Lakshmi. The aarti is accompanied by a small bell and is performed in a silent and sublime atmosphere.<ref name=JM/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Lakshmi Puja}} |
{{Commons category|Lakshmi Puja}} |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131013213551/http://www.lokakshemayagna.org/activitiestrust/157-raja-mathangi-sahita-ashta-lakshmi-deepa-puja Ashta Lakshmi Deepa |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131013213551/http://www.lokakshemayagna.org/activitiestrust/157-raja-mathangi-sahita-ashta-lakshmi-deepa-puja Ashta Lakshmi Deepa puja] |
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{{Culture of West Bengal}} |
{{Culture of West Bengal}} |
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[[Category:Hindu festivals in Nepal]] |
[[Category:Hindu festivals in Nepal]] |
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[[Category:October observances]] |
[[Category:October observances]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:November observances]] |
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Latest revision as of 04:17, 21 November 2023
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2023) |
| Lakshmi Puja | |
|---|---|
 Idol of the goddess during Lakshmi Puja | |
| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Hindu |
| Date | Ashwayuja 30 (amanta tradition) Karthika 15 (purnimanta tradition) |
| 2023 date | 12 November |
| 2024 date | 1 November |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Deepavali and Tihar |
Hindu festival dates The Hindu calendar is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: māsa (lunar month), pakṣa (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. amānta / pūrṇimānta. If a festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify the same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa. A lunar year is shorter than a solar year by about eleven days. As a result, most Hindu festivals occur on different days in successive years on the Gregorian calendar. | |
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Lakshmi Puja (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मी पूजा, romanized: Lakṣmī Pūjā) is a Hindu occasion for the veneration of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and the supreme goddess of Vaishnavism.[1] The occasion is celebrated on the amavasya (new moon day) in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar month of Ashwayuja (according to the amanta tradition) or Kartika (according to the purnimanta tradition), on the third day of Deepavali (Tihar) in most part of India and Nepal.[1] In Assam, Bengal, and Odisha, this puja is celebrated five days after Vijaya Dashami.
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Vishnu's wife, visits her devotees, and bestows good fortune and her blessings upon them. To welcome the goddess, devotees clean their houses, decorate them with finery and lights, and prepare sweet treats and delicacies as offerings.[1] Devotees believe that the happier Lakshmi is during her visit, the more she blesses the family with health and wealth.[2]
In Assam, Odisha, and Bengal, Lokkhi Puja or Lakshmi Puja (লক্ষ্মী পূজা) is performed on Ashvin Purnima day on the month of Ashvin, the full moon day following Vijaya Dashami and Durga Puja. This puja is also known as Kojagori Lokkhi Pujo. Women worship the goddess Lakshmi in the evening, after cleaning their house and decorating the floor of their houses with alpona, or rangoli. It is celebrated in the evening with all family members participating in decorating and cleaning home as part of the puja.
Celebrations[edit]
India[edit]
Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth on the night of the Lakshmi Puja. She searches for households where she will be welcomed, in which she will enter and spread prosperity and good fortune.[1] On the evening of Lakshmi Puja, people open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place diya lights on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her in. During the days leading up to Diwali, people will clean, repair and decorate their homes to make them suitable for welcoming the goddess.[1]
People wear new clothes or their best outfits as the evening approaches. Then, diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more additional deities depending on the region of India; typically Ganesha, Saraswati, or Kubera.[3] Lakshmi symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.
On this day, the mothers, who work hard all year, are praised by the family. Mothers are seen to embody a part of Lakshmi, the good fortune and prosperity of the household.[4] Small earthenware lamps filled with oil are lighted and placed in rows by some Hindus along the parapets of temples and houses. Some set diyas adrift on rivers and streams. Important relationships and friendships are also recognised during the day, by visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts and sweets.[5][6]
It is popularly believed that Lakshmi likes cleanliness and will visit the cleanest house first. Hence, offerings of haldi (turmeric) and sindoor (vermilion) are made on this day. In certain regions, Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighneshvara; the goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms: Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and money, Mahasaraswati, the goddess of books and learning, and Mahakali. Kubera the treasurer of the gods is also worshipped.
In Bengal, the goddess Lakshmi is worshipped five days after Vijaya Dashami on the full moon day of Sharada. This is known as Kojagori Lokkhi Pujo (কোজাগরী লক্ষ্মী পুজো) in Bengali. On this day generally, the goddess is worshipped at night. She is also worshipped in the form of banana trees (কলা বউ), designed clay cover of utensils (সরা), accompanied by a small boat containing five drums. She is also worshipped on the eve of Deepavali which is commonly known as Dipanwita Lokkhi puja (দীপান্বিতা লক্ষ্মী পুজো) or Alakshmi Viday (Leaving of Alakshmi). The goddess is also worshipped in the month of Bhadra (August–September) on Thursdays. She is worshipped as rice put into a utensil (হাঁড়ি) which is changed annually. This worship is also practiced in the month of Poush (December–January).
In Assam, Lakshmi/Lakkhi puja (লক্ষ্মী পূজা) is celebrated five days after Vijoya Doshomi. Family members participates in decorating home entrances to welcome goddess Lakshmi. Prasad usually includes sweets, moong/gram, fruits etc.
Nepal[edit]
Lakshmi Puja is celebrated as a part of Tihar, a second national festival of Nepal after Dashain. In Nepal, it is celebrated for five days, which include Kag (crow) Tihar; Kukur (dog) Tihar; Gai (cow) Tihar in the morning and Lakshmi Puja at night; Maha puja (self puja); Goru (Ox and Bull) Tihar and Gobardhan puja; and finally, Bhai Tika (Bhai dhooj)—respectively the first, second, third, fourth and fifth days.
On Lakshmi Puja in Nepal, people buy gold and silver, precious gemstones, new utensils of copper, brass and bronze as a sign of good luck, prosperity, money and wealth. These are then used to worship Lakshmi at night. Nepalese people perform this worship at a place cleansed with holy water, cow dung and red mud; they light the whole house with candles and lamps. From Lakshmi Puja, Deusi/Bhailo is performed by gathering with friends.
Puja[edit]
In the beginning of the puja, the houses of devotees are cleaned, and rangoli is drawn at the doorstep to welcome the goddess Lakshmi.[7] While there is no consensus of the standardised ritual to pray to the goddess, variations of the puja exist across the regions of the Indian subcontinent as well as Southeast Asia. However a central component in almost all forms of puja is the process of darshan, a form of devotion via the exchange of affectionate glances between an image of the deity and a devotee, initiating a relationship between the two. Other integral parts of puja come in the form of offerings given to the deity by the devotee, sanctifying the food (prasad) by divine contact, for the devotee to then distribute and consume.[8]
Procedure[edit]
Before beginning the puja, Hindus consider it important to cleanse and purify the space where the puja is being carried out. For this, benzoin is lighted using either coal, or dried pancakes made of cow-dung. Its fumes of incense are considered to purify the atmosphere.
Once the place is cleansed, the puja begins by laying down a piece of new cloth on a raised platform. Handfuls of grains are sprayed in the centre of the cloth and a kalasha made of gold, silver, or copper is placed on top. Three-quarters of the kalasha is filled with water and betel nut, a flower, a coin, and a few rice grains are added to it. Five kinds of leaves are arranged (if a specified species is not available, leaves from a mango tree are used) and a small dish filled with rice grains is placed on the kalasha. A lotus is drawn over the rice grains with turmeric powder and the idol of goddess Lakshmi is placed over the top of the kalasha, and coins are placed around it.
An idol of Ganesha is placed in front of the kalasha, on the right-hand side pointing towards the south-west. Ink and business account books of the worshippers are kept on the platform. Specially blended oils made for puja are used with its ingredients varying, depending on the deity it's being offered to. A "Panchmukhi Diya" (Five faced lamp) accommodating five wicks are lit for this purpose. A special lamp is then lit in front of Lord Ganesha.
The puja begins by offering turmeric, kumkuma and flowers to the goddess Lakshmi. Turmeric, kumkuma, and flowers are offered to the water, later used for the puja. The river goddess Saraswati is invoked to become part of that water. Lakshmi is worshipped and invoked by reciting Vedic mantras, hymns and prayers addressed to her. Her idol is placed in a plate and is bathed with panchamrita (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing a gold ornament or a pearl. Her idol is cleaned and placed back on the kalasha. A special lamp is then lit in front of goddess Lakshmi.
Offerings of sandal paste, saffron paste, garland of cotton beads or flowers, ittar (perfume), turmeric, kumkuma, abir, and gulal are then made to the goddess Lakshmi. Flowers and garlands, such as lotus, marigold, rose, chrysanthemums and leaves of bael (wood apple tree) are also offered. An incense stick is lit for her. An offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambulam, is made later. Puffed rice and batasha (varieties of Indian sweets) are placed near the idol. Puffed rice, batasha, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds are poured or offered to her idol.
In the villages, a pot made of bamboo-canes measuring the paddy known as Nana' is filled up to the brink with freshly harvest paddy. Rice and lentils are also kept with the paddy. The `Mana' is the symbol of Mahalakshmi. Adoration of the goddess is done by offering fruits, coconut, banana, doob-grass, amla, curd, turmeric, flowers, incense etc. It is customary to read out the Odia text Lakshmi Purana while performing the puja.[9]
A swastika symbol is also then drawn on the safe or vault in which the devotee keeps their valuables and it is worshipped as a symbol of Kubera.
Towards the end of the ritual, the aarti is performed which is dedicated to goddess Lakshmi. The aarti is accompanied by a small bell and is performed in a silent and sublime atmosphere.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Lochtefeld, James (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Hinduism. New York, USA: The Rosen Publishing Group Inc, New York. p. 200. ISBN 0-8239-3180-3.
- ^ selvam, Kayalvizhi saravana. Arts Of Hindustan. Kayalvizhi saravana selvam. p. 80. ISBN 979-8-5088-2055-8.
- ^ Pintchman, Tracy. Guests at God's Wedding: Celebrating Kartik among the Women of Benares, pp. 59–65. State University of New York Press, 2005. ISBN 0-7914-6596-9.
- ^ Lochtefeld, James G. "Diwali" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A–M, pp. 200–201. Rosen Publishing. ISBN 9780823931798.
- ^ Jean Mead, How and Why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?, ISBN 978-0-237-534-127
- ^ John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford UP, 2000), See Festivals
- ^ Rosen, Steven (2006). Essential Hinduism (1st ed.). United States of America: Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. p. 209. ISBN 0-275-99006-0.
- ^ Lochtefeld, James (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Hinduism (2 ed.). New York, USA: The Rosen Publishing Group Inc. p. 529. ISBN 0-8239-3180-3.
- ^ a b Mohapatra, J (2013). Wellness In Indian Festivals & Rituals. Partridge Publishing. p. 173. ISBN 9781482816907.
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