Nagpur: The blissful and divine atmosphere of 10-day Ganeshotsav will turn more joyous as the 3-day Mahalaxmi Puja, too, begins from Saturday, September 3.
The traditional and ancestral three-day Gauri (Mahalaxmi) puja has now assumed bigger dimensions with families giving the homely touch to the festivities, which bring many families together for the celebrations. Legend has it that Mahalaxmi arrives with Her Family to Her “Maheri” or “Maika” (Mother’s home) for three days in a year.
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The place in the households where Mahalaxmi Puja is performed has been artistically and elegantly decorated befitting the divine atmosphere. During the 3-day puja, the idols of Mahalaxmi and Her Family are attired in a special and authentic tradition.
On the first day, Mahalaxmi and Her Family are welcomed traditionally and religiously. The ‘Mahaprasad’ served on the second day of the Mahalaxmi Puja is on a grand scale. The elaborate ‘prasad’ having a number of mouth-watering dishes with main Prasad being a vegetable prepared with a mix of 16 different vegetables, ‘Ambil’ made of jowar flour and puran poli would be served to a large number of people comprising families, friends and neighbours. The third day would mark “Haldi Kumkum,” a gathering of womenfolk from across the society.
Maa Mahalaxmi is worshiped once in a year. Mahalaxmi Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi and is observed for sixteen consecutive days starting from the ‘Ashtami’ of the Shukla Paksha in the month of ‘Bhadrapada’. It ends on ‘Krishna Paksha Ashtami’ of the ‘Ashwin’ month.
Devotees offer prayers to Goddess Laxmi every morning for 16 continuous days during the vrat. All the eight forms of Mahalaxmi are worshipped during this period. Ritualistically, the vrat observer wears a string on left hand with sixteen knots being tied in the string.
After the puja of Goddess Laxmi, sixteen Durva grasses are tied together. It is dipped in water and sprinkled over the body. At the end of puja, Mahalaxmi Vrat Katha is recited. Those who observe the vrat don’t eat non-vegetarian food during the period of 16 days.
On the last day of the vrat, a Kalash is worshipped. It is filled with water, a few coins and akshatas. The neck of the Kalash is covered with mango or betel leaves, with a coconut placed on the top. The Kalash is smeared with sandalwood, turmeric paste and kumkum. A piece of new cloth is tied to the Kalash.
Bhadrapada month started from 13th August and will continue till 10th September. Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami is also celebrated as Radha Jayanti, also known as Radha Ashtami. According to the scriptures, this is a very important fast. By observing this fast, Maa Laxmi fulfills all the wishes and ends all kinds of problems in life. This fast is observed for the happiness and blessings of Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. If for some reason you are not able to keep fast for 15 days, then this fast can also be observed for some days.
