Kolkata: The soaring prices of vegetables, flowers and fruits failed to dampen the spirit of Lakshmi Puja which is held in almost every household, particularly by those who are the original inhabitants of the southern part of Undivided Bengal.
The community Durga Puja committees also worshipped the Goddess of Wealth in the pandals. As the businessmen of Calcutta, the then capital of the British Empire, became rich, they started worshipping Lakshmi where as in eastern and northern parts of Undivided Bengal, it is held on the day of Kali Puja and the purpose is to establish the victory of good over evil.
Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay and his wife Nayana organised the Lakshmi Puja in their house like previous years. Lakshmi Puja was also observed by Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, the state Power minister, at his residence. Chattopadhyay himself conducted the Puja along with his family members.
Lakshmi puja was held in the house of Uttam Kumar on Girish Mukherjee Road. Gourab, the matinee idol's grandson, performed the rituals. The idol is made by the same family who used to make it during Uttam Kumar's time over four decades ago.
Lakshmi Puja was also held in the residences of Indrani Halder, Aparajita Adhya and Pallavi Chatterjee.
'Kojagari Lakshmi Puja' was celebrated in households across the state on Sunday.
Women blew conch shells as priests worshipped the Goddess in almost every house, besides the community pujas held at markets and at the Durga Puja pandals. Apart from idols, the image of Lakshmi in 'sara' (hand painted image on coloured clay plate) and picture of the goddess, was also being worshipped in several households, as part of the respective family traditions.