PARADIP: In a bid to propagate the age-old tradition of Laxmi Puja, a socio-cultural organisation, ‘Shree Ustav’, on Monday organised ‘jhoti’ competition among local women.
This apart, several events will be organised to popularise the essence of Laxmi Purana across the State during this month. On December 15, a State-level ‘jhoti’ competition will be held among the winners of district-level meets at Bhubaneswar.
More than 25 women participated in the competition and displayed their creativity by drawing innovative patterns of ‘jhoti’ on Monday.
Utsav Chairperson Rina Routray said Laxmi Purana raises voice against the evil practices of untouchability in society besides stressing importance of feminity and empowering the female power to resist male hegemony. The story of Laxmi Purana speaks of cleanliness, non-discrimination and celebrates womanhood, the organisers said and urged people to participate in the Utsav in large numbers. Hindu month of ‘Margashira’ (November-December) is considered auspicious as Goddess Laxmi is invoked in every house on Thursdays. This is an important festival as it is the harvest season when grain is thrashed and stored. The harvest of the kharif season is worshipped as Goddess Laxmi on these Thursdays. This is a traditional festival followed by married women in every household.