Laxmi Puja being observed, Dogs being worshipped

Kathmandu -  Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, is being worshiped in every household on Monday 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 wishing for prosperity.

All the nooks and corners of the house are illuminated with colourful and decorative lights in the 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 many people spend the whole night in vigil.

The night of Laxmi Puja is also a start of the cultural programs like ‘Deusi’ and ‘Bhailo’, where people, said to be sent by the mythical king Bali, visit different homes singing and dancing for prosperity. On the same day also known as ‘Kukur Tihar’, dogs are worshiped 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.