The 16-day Mahalaxmi festival concluded in the city on Sunday, with grand festivities in various temples and gathering in the city. The fest was celebrated majorly by Sindhi community as ‘Mahalaxmi Jo Sagro’ and some other Hindu communities.
Mahalakshmi Vrat is a 16-day festival that starts on Shukla Ashtami in Bhadrapada. The festival is celebrated for a period of sixteen days. Depending on leaped and skipped Tithi during fasting period, total fasting days might reduce to fifteen days or might increase to seventeen days.
The observance comes four days after Ganesh Chaturthi and continues till the eighth day of the Pitru Paksha (the fortnight dedicated to ancestors) period. Interestingly, Shukla Ashtami in Bhadrapad month celebrates the birth anniversary of Radha as Radha Ashtami. The Mahalakshmi Vrat festival starts on the same day when Durva Ashtami wherein the Durva grass is worshipped.
This fast is observed with fervour and dedication in the northern regions of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
During this period, devotees observed fast and worship the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity and auspiciousness, Mahalakshmi.
“Mauli of 16 strands kept in turmeric water tied 16 knots was tied to wrist of every member of the family at the commencement of the festival,” Sona Kasturi, a community member, said. On the last day, this mauli was taken out and prayed to for culminating the festival.
“Horse is worshipped on this day, earlier, we use to prepare the horse with mud, but now some even have silver horses to worship,” Chandni Fudhwani, a homemaker, said. She explained that horse is of special significance, because Mahalaxmi is believed to be riding the majestic animal and sitting on lotus.
Mahalakshmi Vrat is a 16-day festival that starts on Shukla Ashtami in Bhadrapada. The festival is celebrated for a period of sixteen days. Depending on leaped and skipped Tithi during fasting period, total fasting days might reduce to fifteen days or might increase to seventeen days.
The observance comes four days after Ganesh Chaturthi and continues till the eighth day of the Pitru Paksha (the fortnight dedicated to ancestors) period. Interestingly, Shukla Ashtami in Bhadrapad month celebrates the birth anniversary of Radha as Radha Ashtami. The Mahalakshmi Vrat festival starts on the same day when Durva Ashtami wherein the Durva grass is worshipped.
This fast is observed with fervour and dedication in the northern regions of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
During this period, devotees observed fast and worship the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity and auspiciousness, Mahalakshmi.
“Mauli of 16 strands kept in turmeric water tied 16 knots was tied to wrist of every member of the family at the commencement of the festival,” Sona Kasturi, a community member, said. On the last day, this mauli was taken out and prayed to for culminating the festival.
“Horse is worshipped on this day, earlier, we use to prepare the horse with mud, but now some even have silver horses to worship,” Chandni Fudhwani, a homemaker, said. She explained that horse is of special significance, because Mahalaxmi is believed to be riding the majestic animal and sitting on lotus.