Kukur Tihar, Laxmi Puja being observed today
KATHMANDU: Kukur Tihar, Laxmi Puja being observed today, the second day of Tihar festival this year, by worshipping, garlanding and feeding dogs and cows.
In Kukur Tihar, dogs are worshipped as protectors of the house. A dog is the most loyal friend to human beings, and according to Hindu myth, dogs are regarded as the guards of Yama, the god of death.
This year, Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja is being celebrated on the same day, according to Nepal Panchanga Nirnayan Samiti.
Similarly, Nepali Hindus worship cows in the morning and Goddess Laxmi in the evening, wishing for prosperity on this day.
People celebrate Laxmi Puja in every household today by lighting butter lamps and candles inside and outside the households to welcome the Goddess by lighting up the path.
All the nooks and corners of the house including the courtyard and rooms are illuminated with colourful and decorative lights this evening with the belief that Goddess Laxmi does not visit places that are not properly illuminated, and to please Goddess Laxmi, people light lamps and spend the whole night in vigil.
The night of Laxmi Puja is also known as ‘the Night of Bliss’.
People also start playing deusi-bhailo following the puja.
