Laxmi Puja, Kukur Tihar being observed throughout the country today

KATHMANDU: Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, is being worshipped with jubilation and various religious rituals throughout the country in the evening in accordance with time honoured tradition.

Laxmi Puja or worship to the Goddess of wealth is being celebrated in every household today to mark the second day of the five-day Tihar festival –also known as the festival of lights – by lighting butter lamps and candles inside and outside of the households to light up the path of Goddess Laxmi in order to welcome her.

Nepali Hindus worship Goddess Laxmi and their wealth in the evening today wishing for prosperity.

All the nooks and corners of the house including the courtyard and rooms are illuminated with colourful and decorative lights this evening in the belief that Goddess Laxmi does not visit places that are not properly illuminated, and to please Goddess Laxmi, people light lamps and spend the whole night in vigil.

The night of Laxmi Puja is also known as ‘the Night of Bliss’. The Laxmi Puja is a day during which cultural programmes like Deusi and Bhailo are held.

Girls in groups visit door-to- door in settlements singing the Bhailo songs. The house owners offer gifts of selroti, rice grains and money to these girls.

Meanwhile, Kukur Tihar is being observed today.

On this day, dogs are worshipped as protectors of the house. A dog is the most loyal friend to human beings, and according to Hindu myth, dogs are regarded as the guards of Yama, the god of death.