In pictures: Lakshmi Puja celebrations in USA

USA — Nepalis living in the United States celebrated Lakshmi Puja with great enthusiasm and devotion. As winter has just begun in the U.S. and Lakshmi Puja fell on Thursday, the festival has already been completed in many states.

In some cities across the country, Lakshmi Puja is just starting. Similar to Nepal, worship materials are readily available in many places in the U.S., allowing the Nepali community to gather items such as puja materials, lamps, water pots, fruits, and sweets.

Nepalis have adorned their homes by creating various types and designs of rangoli both in their yards and inside their rooms. Colorful lights reminiscent of Nepal have brightened their homes.

As family members begin to visit one another, this year’s Tihar, the second major festival for Nepalis, has become even more joyful. In America, rice flour and colored powder have been used to create Lakshmi’s footprints from the yard to the worship room where bust of Lakshmi is established.

Due to concerns about fire hazards, it is more common to use candles instead of traditional oil lamps. After the Diwali celebrations, Lakshmi is installed in the worship room along with lamps, water pots, and Ganesha, followed by offerings of jewelry, money, rice, fruits, selroti, and flower garlands in a ritualistic manner. 

After Lakshmi Puja, it is customary to worship young girls, symbolizing Lakshmi, and offer them gifts as well.

This year, like in previous years, the traditional Deusi Bhailo has been performed. On Lakshmi Puja day, prayers and offerings are made to Mother Lakshmi, with particular attention given to wealth and prosperity. It is also a religious tradition to mark symbols of auspiciousness or write blessings on safe storage containers for wealth and valuables.