In the land of temples and tides, Gaja Lakshmi Puja emerges as a resplendent festival of prosperity, devotion, and cultural splendor. For guests at Ashok Nandini Guest House, this is your chance to tap into Odisha’s devotional grandeur, from elaborately decorated idol processions to nights of chanting and community harmony.

What is Gaja Lakshmi Puja?
Gaja Lakshmi (or Gajalaxmi) is a form of Goddess Lakshmi flanked by two elephants (gaja) — symbolizing royal prosperity, fertility, and sovereignty.
In Odisha, the Gajalaxmi Puja begins on Kumar Purnima (the full-moon of Ashwin) and continues for 7 to 11 days in many regions, especially Kendrapara and Dhenkanal.
Especially prominent in Kendrapara, where the festival (locally called Gaja Laxmi Puja) has been observed for 9 decades (since ~1928).

Significance & Symbolism:
The elephants represent the royal court, strength, and the majesty that accompanies Lakshmi’s blessings.
Worshipping Gajalaxmi is believed to bring wealth, prosperity, fertility, abundance, and removal of obstacles.
The festival emphasizes night vigilance — devotees remain awake, chant, and worship through nights, because Goddess Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth.
In regions like Kendrapara, Gajalaxmi Puja is considered the second mass festival after Rath Yatra.

Rituals & Celebrations:
Duration & Setup
From Kumar Purnima onward, small pandals or temporary temples (mandaps) are erected in villages and towns, dedicated to Gajalaxmi.
Idols of Goddess Lakshmi (sometimes with Ganesha) are installed, beautifully decorated with flowers, cloth, lights, and elephant motifs.

Daily Worship & Offerings:
Devotees perform aarti, chanting of Lakshmi mantras, singing bhajans every night.
Offerings include rice, sweets, fruits, coconut, turmeric, kumkum and symbolic floral arrangements.
Night vigil (jagaran) is maintained: devotees stay awake, worship, meditate, and chant.

The Grand Processions:
In some towns like Dhenkanal, the final day features a grand procession of the goddess, idols taken on floats or chariots, immersed back in water bodies.
The immersion ceremony is accompanied by music, drums, lamps, and community participation.

Why It Matters for Ashok Nandini & Guests?
Our Guests can witness or partake in the pandals, processions, evening aartis, giving them a deeply local, spiritual immersion.

Witness the divine spectacle of Gaja Lakshmi Puja with us — reserve your heritage stay at Ashok Nandini today!

ASHOK NANDINI GUEST HOUSE
Address: Plot No. 2982, Ravi Talkies Road, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha – 751002

Contact: +917684919155, +917978911362
Book your stay now at www.hotelashoknandini.com

Google Maps Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xV3TrgPYsQgKGEsk6
Message us on WhatsApp: https://tinyurl.com/HANWAC
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/61579345750162
Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/ashoknandiniguesthouse/
Twitter Profile: https://x.com/AshokNandiniGH
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AshokNandiniGH

#AshokNandiniGuestHouse #HeritageStay #Bhubaneswar #FestiveStay #BhubaneswarStay #AshokNandiniGuestHouse #GuestHousenearLingarajTemple #GajalakshmiPuja #GajalakshmiPuja2025 #OdishaFestivals #AshokNandini #BhubaneswarCulture #OdishaCulture #FestivalVibes