Lakshmi Puja at Camberwell, Melbourne – A devotee’s experience
On Saturday, 15 January 2011, Sri LakshmiJi conducted a Lakshmi Puja at Sai Samsthan, Camberwell, Melbourne. More that twenty women and men performed the puja and a similar number participated and watched.
LakshmiJi explained that Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth, and She comes in many forms – money, health, fortune, power, luxury, beauty, fertility, and auspiciousness. The puja involved invoking the Goddess Lakshmi in a Deepam or lamp. The deepam is decorated with kumkum, akshathai, flowers, a beautiful cloth,
and then Goddess Lakshmi is invoked in the deepam. Through powerful chanting of mantras, offering of kumkum, akshathai, flowers, food, water, and aarti the Goddess presents Herself in the deepam. It is the time when the whole atmosphere becomes electric and one can feel the vibrations and energy. The mere listening of the chanting of the mantras uplifts the soul and the presence of Goddess is felt.
Many days have passed and I can still visualise the scene: one big hall, at the top majestic and auspicious LakshmiJi conducting the puja. By her side a pious Shubha with her big deepam and small lamp in front of the pictures of Goddess Meenakshi, Sri LakshmiJi’s Guru Pujya Shri Venkatesa Battachar Swamigal and Vishwaroopa Panchamukha Anjenaya; then, the two rows of participants sitting with their lamps performing the Lakshmi puja; big pink lotus in front of each big deepam and the other devotees around them. The chanting of mantras and the initiation by Sri LakshmiJi was a sight to behold and an atmosphere to experience.
This was my first Lakshmi puja and I believe it was possible only through the grace of God. Every moment was fulfilling and uplifting. I wish that you all get a chance of attending one.
Photos of the event can be viewed at
http://picasaweb.google.com/lkytrust/RajaMathangiSahitaAshtaLakshmiDeepaPoojaAustralia