Oct. 6: A festive mood again pervades the atmosphere of the city, after a brief lull in the celebrations, with the advent of Lakshmi Puja. The citizens threw themselves wholeheartedly into the spirit of the occasion to invoke the blessings of the goddess.

Lakshmi Puja, devoted to the goddess of “wealth and prosperity” was celebrated in all the Durga Puja pandals of the city. Goddess Lakshmi is believed to have accompanied Durga on the journey from her celestial abode down to earth.

“Although Durga has left for her home, Lakshmi Puja is a must in all the pandals according to the rites and rituals of Durga Puja. One can say it is an extension of the Durga Puja. Thus, we are celebrating it with right earnest,” said Damodar Sarma, a priest.

Goddess Lakshmi was also offered generous prayers throughout individuals houses in the city to ask for her blessings.

The verandas and courtyards of houses were decorated with motifs made with rice powder, believed to be auspicious, to welcome the goddess into the house.

“Lakshmi Puja is a must in our home. I have been offering prayers to the goddess every year for last 16 years,” said Shyamoli Saha, a housewife who had fasted throughout the day as part of the Puja.

The fast is broken at dusk after the end of all religious rituals.

One of the major attractions at the pandals is the khichri and kheer (rice porridge) as bhog, which is distributed in generous amounts after all the rituals are performed.

Moreover, sweet shops also witnessed quite a rush and all sweet delicacies vanished off the racks within minutes. All the government offices and several private companies remained closed on the occasion.