GUWAHATI, Oct 6 � Vijaya Dashami has no doubt brought the curtains down on the elaborate and frenetic Durga Puja celebrations in the city, but the festive season is far from over.
On Monday, citizens from all walks of life were seen getting ready to worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, with all the traditional fanfare tomorrow.
Though the prices of the special fruits, flowers and other items required to perform this puja were high on the eve of Lakshmi Puja, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the citizens as this puja is all about appeasing the Goddess of wealth and bounty.
The markets in the city were flooded with different sizes of the idols of the Goddess, lotuses, paddy ears, fruits, garlands, etc. According to a citizen, Nita Baruah, the idols were costlier than last year. Depending on the sizes, the prices of the idols varied between Rs 150 and above.
�The flower and fruit vendors are doing good business. But I do not mind as this puja is about prosperity for everyone,� said Nita.
As citizens flocked in to purchase flowers and fruits, the vendors knew Goddess Lakshmi was already being generous towards them.
The temples and individual households were being decked up for the auspicious occasion. Houses are thoroughly cleaned up and decorated with colourful rangolis, earthen lamps and garlands. Illumination is important to welcome the Goddess and the households are ready to sparkle tomorrow.
�I prefer to make a rangoli on the occasion. The colours of rangoli send out positive vibes and my family members help me out in completing the design,� said Sudriti, a student, adding that her friends and neighbours have been invited over to participate in the ritual.
In many households, special delicacies were being prepared for the occasion. The capital city will be in a festive spirit before settling down to its mundane routine shortly.
