KATHMANDU: On the third day of the Yamapanchak, Laxmi Puja or worship to the Goddess of wealth is being celebrated with jubilation and various religious rituals throughout the country in the evening in accordance with time honoured tradition.

Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, is being worshipped in every household today to mark the second day of the five-day Tihar festival –also known as the festival of lights – by lighting butter lamps and candles inside and outside of the households to light up the path of Goddess Laxmi in order to welcome her.

Nepali Hindus worship Goddess Laxmi in the evening today wishing for prosperity.

All the nooks and corners of the house are illuminated with colourful and decorative lights this evening in the belief that Goddess Laxmi does not visit places that are not properly illuminated, and so to please Goddess Laxmi, people light lamps and spend the whole night in vigil.

After the worshipping rituals, women of every household beat the Nanglo (a large straw woven plate) and enter the house from the courtyard to appease the Goddess and by wishing prosperity to enter their homes, according to Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Committee Chairman Radharam Chandra Gautam.

"As per the scriptures Sri Sukta hymn is recited after worshipping Laxmi and a coconut, which is a favorite of the Goddess, is offered to her as it is believed this ritual ushers in prosperity," Gautam said.

The night of Laxmi Puja is also a start to the cultural programmes like 'Deusi' and 'Bhailo', where people, said to be sent by the king Bali, visit different homes singing and dancing for the prosperity.