"gods and goddesses"

#12873957

18 October 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee offers butter-fed lamps under the decorated lights in the premises of a decked-up temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 17, 2025, as they prepare to celebrate Tihar or Diwali. During Tihar, people light up earthen lamps and candles in their homes for three days while performing Pooja of Goddess Laxmi. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi showers blessings on the houses that glow with lights throughout the night. Laxmi Pooja and the worship of the cow are performed on the same day because the goddess Laxmi emerges bearing a lotus along with a divine cow when the Devata (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churn the ocean of milk (Ksheera Sagara), as stated in the Vishnu Purana. On the occasion of Laxmi Pooja, also known as Diwali, people in Nepal and India do not let any nook and corner of the house remain dark and light up lamps, candles, and lights, appealing to Goddess Laxmi to shower blessings on them. The Pooja is especially done by the ladies of the family in the presence of all the members, reciting the Sri Sukta hymn with the offering of coconut, which is believed to appease Goddess Laxmi.

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#12873958

18 October 2025

People take photos under the decorated lights on the premises of a decked-up temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 17, 2025, as they prepare to celebrate Tihar or Diwali. During Tihar, people light up earthen lamps and candles in their homes for three days while performing Pooja of Goddess Laxmi. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi showers blessings on the houses that glow with lights throughout the night. Laxmi Pooja and the worship of the cow are performed on the same day because Goddess Laxmi is said to have emerged bearing a lotus along with a divine cow when the Devata (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the ocean of milk (Ksheera Sagara), as stated in the Vishnu Purana. On the occasion of Laxmi Pooja, also known as Diwali, people in Nepal and India do not let any nook and corner of the house remain dark and light up lamps, candles, and lights, appealing to Goddess Laxmi to shower blessings on them. The Pooja is especially done by the ladies of the family in the presence of all members, reciting the Sri Sukta hymn with the offering of coconut, which is believed to appease Goddess Laxmi.

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#12873959

18 October 2025

A long exposure shot captures a decorated shopping center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 17, 2025, with the arrival of Tihar or Diwali. During Tihar, people light up earthen lamps and candles in their homes for three days while performing Pooja of Goddess Laxmi. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi showers blessings on houses that glow with lights throughout the night. Laxmi Pooja and the worship of the cow are performed on the same day because Goddess Laxmi emerged bearing a lotus along with a divine cow when the Devata (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the ocean of milk (Ksheera Sagara), as stated in the Vishnu Purana. On the occasion of Laxmi Pooja, also known as Diwali, people in Nepal and India do not let any nook and corner of the house remain dark, lighting lamps, candles, and lights to appeal to Goddess Laxmi for blessings. The Pooja is especially performed by the ladies of the family in the presence of all members, reciting the Sri Sukta hymn with the offering of coconut, which is believed to appease Goddess Laxmi.

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#12865679

16 October 2025

Offerings for the Goddess Durga are seen during the Durga Puja festival at a pandal (temporary temple) in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Hundreds of Bengalis who have migrated to Canada from Kolkata, India, attend the celebration. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12865681

16 October 2025

A Bengali Hindu priest performs special prayers during the Durga Puja festival at a pandal (temporary temple) in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Hundreds of Bengalis who have migrated to Canada from Kolkata, India, attend the celebration. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12865695

16 October 2025

An idol of Goddess Durga is decorated during the Durga Puja festival at a pandal (temporary temple) in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Hundreds of Bengalis who have migrated to Canada from Kolkata, India, attend the celebration. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12860538

14 October 2025

Bangles are displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12860542

14 October 2025

A handcrafted necklace with a figure of the Goddess Durga is displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12860548

14 October 2025

Jewelry is displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12860553

14 October 2025

A handcrafted necklace with a figure of the Goddess Durga is displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12860556

14 October 2025

Silver rings are displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12860558

14 October 2025

A woman sells sarees during the Durga Puja Bazaar at the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12860563

14 October 2025

Traditional necklaces adorned with cowry shells are displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12860566

14 October 2025

A handcrafted necklace with the theme of the Goddess Durga is displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12860576

14 October 2025

A handcrafted necklace with a figure of the Goddess Durga is displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology.

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#12816754

1 October 2025

GRAPHIC CONTENT: Nepalese Army personnel sacrifice a goat as an offering to the Gods and Goddesses during Maha Nawami, the ninth day of the Dashain festival, at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Dashain, Nepal's longest and most important Hindu festival, symbolizes the victory of good over evil. On Maha Nawami, animals such as goats, ducks, roosters, and buffaloes are ritually sacrificed at temples dedicated to the goddesses, while some devotees offer fruits and vegetables as symbolic substitutes.

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