GUWAHATI, Oct 30 - With prayers to bring prosperity and good fortune in the lives of common people, Assam is celebrating Lakshmi Puja � revering the Hindu deity of wealth and riches � with religious fervor today. The festival holds special significance in today�s time when COVID-19 has had an adverse impact on the life and livelihood of majority of people. Unlike many other parts of the country, where Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the day of Diwali, Lakshmi Puja in Assam is celebrated on Lakshmi Purnima or Sharad Purnima, when devout Hindus perform elaborate rituals and seek the blessings of the deity for good fortune.
As part of the celebrations, people decorated their homes and lighted earthen lamps at the entrance to please the deity. Other Vedic rituals performed in every household also form a part of the festival. The markets were comparatively crowded today with people buying puja essentials like coconuts, mango leaves, bunch of paddy, flowers, sweets, etc., to perform the rituals. Small earthen Lakshmi idols were also brought at homes for the puja.
�Lakshmi Puja used to be a big celebration for us and we used to seize this opportunity to call our friends for sharing prasad. However, owing to COVID restrictions and also some pandemic-induced financial adversities, this year�s puja will be low key,� said Pranjal Baruah, working with a private firm in Guwahati.
Significantly, apart from homes, Lakshmi Puja is performed at all the venues and pandals where Durga Puja was held. Many devotees also visited temples to light lamps and pray for the wellbeing of their near and dear ones.
