There is a special tradition to celebrate Diwali in Uttarakhand, the idol of Goddess Mahalaxmi is made of sugarcane stalks. Updated: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 04:21 (IST) The festival of Diwali is especially celebrated in Uttarakhand. Here is an old tradition of making the idol of Goddess Lakshmi from sugarcane stalks. Local people believe that it brings luck and prosperity to the house. The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is made and decorated by collecting sugarcane stalks. Tradition of worshiping Mahalakshmi prepared from sugarcane stalks in Kumaon. Archive Dialogue Associate, Jagran, Almora. In Kumaon, the tradition of worshiping Mahalakshmi idol made of sugarcane stalks has been going on for years. In Skanda Purana sugarcane was described as auspicious and beloved of goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi is believed to reside in sugarcane. Remove Advertisement Just Read News On the day of Diwali, Mahalakshmi is prepared from sugarcane stalks in homes. At night Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped with rituals and wishes for happiness and prosperity. After the puja, the idol is immersed in the river or lake at an auspicious time on the day of Govardhan Puja or Bhaiya Dooj. According to belief, the making of the idol of Maa Mahalakshmi from sugarcane stem in Kumaon started from the 17th century. Since then, this tradition has been ongoing. On the day of Diwali, the idol of Mahalakshmi is made of sugarcane stalks in every village and every house. According to Pandit Tara Dutt Joshi, it is told in Skanda Purana that Goddess Lakshmi resides in sugarcane. Therefore, on the day of Diwali festival, an idol of Mahalakshmi is made from sugarcane stalks and special worship is done. The demand for sugar cane increased in the mountains. In view of the Diwali festival, the demand for sugarcane stalks has increased in the mountains. Nowadays sugarcane is imported from other sugarcane producing areas including Haridwar and Dehradun. One stalk of sugarcane is sold for Rs 70 to Rs 80. According to businessman Harish Dalakoti, people from nearby rural areas also sell sugarcane in the market. The making of Mahalakshmi idol from sugarcane trunk in the mountains started in 17th century. On the day of Diwali, the idol of Mahalakshmi is prepared from sugarcane stalks. In the evening Goddess Mahalakshmi is worshiped and wishes for happiness and prosperity are made. – – Lata Pandey, Artist, Almora
Special tradition to celebrate Diwali in Uttarakhand, the idol of Goddess Mahalaxmi is made of sugarcane stalks – diwali 2025 tradition of worshiping mahalaxmi idols made of sugarcane stalks in kumaon
