Lakshmi Puja in Newar society

Immediately after Dashain or Dussehra and a few days before the Chhath festival, the Newars celebrate Swati Nakha with great importance. Since this is a festival in India and a popular festival in the hilly regions of Nepal called Tihar, it is not uncommon to find people wondering whether the Newars call it Swati. Just as the Newars celebrate Mohini Nakha in a different way during Dashain or Dussehra, the Newars also celebrate Swati Nakha in a different way during Diwali or Tihar. Although Diwali or Tihar is celebrated for five days as Yama Panchak, Swati is basically celebrated for only three days. Under the influence of Yama Panchak, the Newars also celebrate five days by worshipping crows and dogs. Here, Lakshmi Puja is discussed from a Newar perspective.

If a multidimensional approach is not adopted regarding the Lakshmi who is worshipped as Lakshmi, there is a high possibility of confusion. Lakshmi is not the only one. The name of the Goddess Lakshmi worshipped by Newars in Swanthi is Dhanalakshmi. Another form of Dhanalakshmi is Vasundhara. It is absolutely necessary to explain this in a simpler way. Newars celebrate three festivals related to Goddess Vasundhara. Who is Vasundhara? The question also arises. Vasundhara is a goddess from the Ratnasambhava clan and she is found to have three forms. She is also considered as the Bodhisattva of wealth, grains and land. This goddess, who is considered as the provider of wealth, grains and land, is worshipped on various special occasions. Accordingly, Swanthi Nakha begins with the worship of Dhanalakshmi. This falls on the day of Ashwin Krishna Aunsi. Similarly, on the day of Marga Shukla Purnima, another form of Vasundhara, Dhanyalakshmi, is worshipped. After the third time, after the end of the Gunla, the Gathila fast is observed after worshipping Vasundhara. This is the fast of Goddess Vasundhara. In ancient Newar society, there was a custom of worshipping 16 different types of Lakshmi throughout the year. The custom of worshipping two types of Lakshmi each month has now disappeared.

The Lakshmi (Dhanalakshmi) worshipped in the Newar society is found to be very different from the Lakshmi worshipped in other Hindu societies. They are not the same. Therefore, it is misleading to think that they are the same Lakshmi. In Hindu tradition, Goddess Lakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu. Her idols are found to have different features. This Lakshmi is seen holding a flower in her upper two hands and the right hand of the lower two hands is in Abhayamudra or Varadamudra. In this way, she is depicted showering wealth with her left hand.

However, the image of Dhanalakshmi, worshipped during the Swati festival in Newar society, has different characteristics. She also has four hands, but she sits on a throne in a semi-circular position. This is the posture of Vasundhara. It is also the posture of Arya Tara. Of the two upper hands, her right hand is usually holding the 'Jwala Nhayakam', while her left hand is holding the 'Sinhamu' (tika thali). Similarly, of the two lower hands, her right hand is in the Varada Mudra and her left hand is in the Abhaya Mudra. Along with the image of Lakshmi, Kubera, Khyah, etc. are also depicted.

Sundhara is mentioned as Mahalakshmi in the Karandavyuha or Gunakardavyuha. According to the sutra, Bodhisattva Aryabolokiteshwar said to Vasundhara, "You are Lakshmi, Shri Mahadevi, Maheshwari and Vasundhara. You continue to give all wealth, happiness and enthusiasm. Always give the world alms and restore it to the Dharma and continue to follow it."

On the day of Lakshmi Puja, in the Newar society, in the morning, in front of the house, a mandap is made of red clay, wrapped in pikhalkhu, and stretched to the dhukiti of the house. Making a mandap in pikhalkhu means welcoming Lakshmi, while stretching the same red clay to the dhukiti means making a path with respect. A picture of Dhanalakshmi is placed in the dhukiti and fruits and other worship items are placed in front of it. In Newar society, Lakshmi Puja is associated with Dashain. During Dashain, a piece of meat of the animal or bird that is sacrificed is set aside for Lakshmi. Dashain meat is also kept. This is not done in houses where animal sacrifices are not offered during Dashain. Old coins in the house are also kept along with the picture of Lakshmi to worship on this occasion. Lakshmi Puja is not completed in one day. Newars perform Mha Puja the next day. Accordingly, they also perform Mha Puja of Lakshmi.