Lakshmi Worship Held Four Times a Year in Krishnanagar's Raibari

Kolkata. In Raibari, Krishnanagar, Lakshmi puja has been held four times a year for over 300 years. It takes place during Poush, Chaitra, Bhadrapada, and Kojagari Purnima. The first three pujas are held inside the house, but the Kojagari Purnima puja takes place in the Thakurdalan. There was a tradition of sacrificing a white goat during the puja. However, this tradition has now stopped. The puja still retains its royal flair, deep reverence, and devotion. The puja is conducted in the names of the women of the household. The sons of the family carry pots filled with rice on their heads and place them at the Goddess's spot in the hall. Goddess Lakshmi is invited with rice. The Goddess is adorned in a Banarasi saree. The puja is performed on jute. When new rice grows during Nabanna, sugarcane is harvested in the month of Poush to worship the new rice. The remaining three pujas are then performed using that same rice. At that time, the Goddess is offered kheer, khichdi, pitha, and bhaja. During Kojagari Lakshmi puja, the Goddess's prasad is fried rice. Earlier, a white goat was sacrificed. Now, rice and pumpkin sacrifice is performed. Coconut water is offered to the Goddess in a stone bowl. When they return home, that water is applied to their eyelids.