Nepal Immersed in Lights and Laxmi Puja Celebrations

Nepal is observing Laxmi Puja today, with devotees worshipping Goddess Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity and abundance, as part of the five-day Tihar festival.

Celebrated on Kartik Krishna Aunsi, the new-moon night and the third day of Tihar, the festival sees homes cleaned and decorated with oil lamps and colourful lights in the belief that the goddess blesses clean and welcoming households.

Devotees decorate entrances and pathways with symbolic footprints made from rice flour and vermilion, believed to guide Goddess Laxmi into their homes.

Lamps are lit along doors, windows, courtyards, stairways and rooftops, giving cities and neighbourhoods a festive glow.During evening prayers, devotees offer flowers, fruits, rice, sweets and other traditional items to Goddess Laxmi, often alongside Lord Ganesh and Kubera, the deity associated with wealth.

The night, also known as Sukharatri, is considered one of the four significant nights observed in the Hindu calendar.

As darkness falls, homes and cities across Nepal sparkle with decorative lights, while the traditional Bhailo celebration brings people together with songs and festivities.