Deepawali which literally means ‘the row of lamps’ is celebrated as the festival lights. This festival is also called ‘Tihar’, which lasts for five consecutive days and is observed in honor of Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and good luck. It is the most friendly of festivals observed throughout Nepal and also India. Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and good fortune is invited into evry homne. All people enjoyu five days of feasting and family gatherings. It also heralds the advent of autumn in Nepal.
Laxmi puja is observed on the auspicious occasion of Deepawali. This is the third day of Tihar when the sacred cow is worshipped with great honor. Hindus worship and regard cow as their holy mother. So we worship the holy cow in the morning with garlands of flowers and apply red Tika on her foreheads. This ceremony is solemnized with reverence in the morning hours of Deepawali. This tradition was initiated by the people of Ayodhyaya to express their boundless joy when lord Rama returned after his fourteen years’ exile.
A few days before Tihar, preparations are seen in full swing for cleaning and whitewashing to add new look to houses and buildings. During this festival houses, shops, offices, factories, and mills are brightly decorated with lights and traditional lamps. It is a time of lights and tinsel decorations. This type of illumination is done for three consecutive days, beginning from the first day of Tihar. But special light arrangements are done on the day of Laxmi Puja. Flickering oil-traditional lamps lighten all courtyards, doorways, roof-tops, verandas and windows. People stroll around in new clothes and buy sweets and gifts. In this way, this festival gives a glimpse of a traditional Christmas.
After the illumination in the evening the main part of Laxmi puja is performed during the night. An illumination and well-decorated house attracts the attention of the Goddess of prosperity. It is believed that the Goddess of wealth is ritually invited to enter the house and offer blessing to its occupants. For this purpose a ritualistic drawing is made of purified cow dung plaster to guide the way for Laxmi in front of main door. From the drawing a trail of plaster or rice and red vermillion leads into the house and the room where Laxmi is worshiped with utmost devotion and dedication. A beautifully decorated image of the Goddess Laxmi is placed before the family treasure box or safe which contains the valuables. Prayers are offered to make them multiply. Throughout the whole night the earthen lamps filled with ghee or pure mustard oil, are kept burning at the place where the Goddess of wealth is worshipped. Everybody tries his level best to welcome and please the goddess of prosperity. She loves light and sacred cowrie (conch) shells. Children love to play with fireworks during the Tihar and especially on Laxmi puja day. However, as fire crackers could be dangerous and harmful they are banned in Nepal these days.
All monetary transactions are forbidden on this auspicious occasion. The only exception is the giving of small coins and food (sel roti)- to small groups of Bhailo singers. Groupes of singers go door to door singing and dancing and asking for money. This is a timebound tradition. Girls are supposed to ask for money on this solemn occasion. Boys turn comes next day, which is called Dheunsi. The last day of the Tihar is celebrated by sisters worshipping their brothers. This is called bhai Tika. All sisters honor and worship their brothers for blessings and wish them success in all their ventures.