Agartala, Oct 6 (TIWN): Even as a mood of gloominess prevailed in the air with the end of the grand festival of the Bengali community-the Durga Puja- people of Agartala and the rest of Tripura once again geared up to taste the flavour of festivity by welcoming the Goddess of wealth, Maa Lakshmi, with customary rituals on Tuesday. The streets in the Agartala city have been largely preoccupied with Laxmi idols on sale and the markets in City are abuzz with buyers doing last minute shopping for Laxmipuja.

Goddess Lakshmi, in Hinduism is worshiped for wealth and prosperity. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped every year in Hindu households all over the country. Hindu Goddess Lakshmi is one of the most popular and widely worshipped Goddesses in Hindu tradition since pre-Buddhist period. However the time for the puja varies across the country. Some people celebrate Lakshmi puja during Diwali while some people celebrate it after Dusshera. The kojagari Laxmipuja is generally performed by the women. The rituals will be started early in the morning and would continue till night on Saturday.

The puja is carried out ceremoniously at home, often collectively among neighbours and relatives. Homes are decorated with floor patterns made of ground rice and water known as alpanas or rangolis and 'S'-shaped footprints are made to symbolize the goddesses visit to replenish the wealth and prosperity of the homes. This Alpana is prepared with rice flour and made into beautiful and articulate designs. The feet of Goddess Lakshmi is also made with the rice flour at the entrance.

Bengalis offer a number of things to Goddess Lakshmi placed in a cane plate known as 'dala'. This offering contains mustard oil, soil from the banks of Ganga, turmeric, perfume, food grains, grass, flowers, five kids of fruits, curd, ghee, vermillion, conch shell bangles, kohl, yellow thread, iron bangle, white mustard seeds, rice, gold and honey.

Several small pandals (marquees) across the city and in Tripura were spotted hosting Laxmi Puja along with large number of household Pujas to add on to the celebration mood. Goddess Laxmi, the possessor of wealth, fortune, beauty, power, luxury, fertility and auspiciousness, is believed to bestow the same on those, who deserve her grace.
Hindus, thus celebrate Laxmi Puja to usher in prosperity and fortune in their lives as Goddess Laxmi is said to be 'swarna hasta' or golden handed. Laxmi Puja is also celebrated in those pandals (marquees) that had been a shelter to goddess Durga.