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 Post-Deepavali poojas and prayers
 Deepavali may be over, but Deepavali prayers have just begun in various parts of New Jersey. In particular, Annakut pooja, and Kubera pooja are two traditions that are earnestly followed and eagerly carried out in the temples around the area.
For example, the Sanatan Mandir of Parsippany, in New Jersey, celebrates the Deepavali tradition of Annakut. In Annakut, the memory of Lord Krishna’s childhood is celebrated. It was a young Lord Krishna who gave protection to the cowherd clan of Vrindavan from the anger of Lord Indra. In triumph of Indra’s defeat, the people of Vrindavan rejoiced with a sumptuous and large feast. This feast is still continued in the modern day as the ‘Annakut feast’.
 In Annakut, the religious prayers and poojas of Deepavali are followed by a feast. Devotees are asked to bring salt or sweet leviathans. These items, usually, a total of 56 “bhogs,” are then offered to Lord Krishna. These offerings are ceremoniously displayed and raised near the idol of Lord Krishna as a mountain. After the Lord has had a chance to enjoy the prasadam, it is distributed to the devotees.
Indians in many countries around the world also celebrate Kubera pooja, regardless of what other poojas they do - because Kubera happens to be the God of Wealth, and everyone wants to please him. Although Annakut is a community temple affair, Kubera pooja is simply celebrated in one’s home.
 In particular, Lakshmi Kubera pooja or Kubera pooja is a worship of the benefactors or distributors of wealth and prosperity - Lord Kubera, and Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Kubera is a dwarf, who is seated on a lotus, with the right leg folded, and the left leg placed down. Kubera is of fair complexion, bearing a conch on the left hand, and the right hand holding Padmavadhi. Kubera, the husband of Sittarini, is heralded as the Lord of wealth and material possessions. Therefore, devotees believe that doing the Kubera pooja will enhance one’s life. It is said Kubera has the job of distributing the wealth, whereas Goddess Lakshmi creates wealth and richness. Kubera’s wealth power is such that Lord Balaji or Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati is said to have borrowed money from Lord Kubera for his marriage and that Lord Venkateswara is still paying the interest on the loan amount.
 Kubera Pooja, when religiously and sincerely observed and followed, brings the devotees great wealth and prosperity in their business or money affairs. Hence, Kubera pooja done with sincerity and discipline is capable of achieving monetary and spiritual satisfaction.
The moral of the story about Kubera pooja is to remember that although Kubera pooja may bring one great wealth and richness, a devotee should have the heart and generosity of spirit to distribute and share the wealth with their lesser equals - other people. After all, money is not everything, and in the face of humanity and kindness, no amount of money can achieve the same amount of happiness that can be achieved by the spirit and blessings of mankind.
Priyanka Narayanan
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