Labh Panchami is the festival ascribed to Sri Maha Lakshmi, the Goddess bestowing wealth and prosperity. The festival is mostly observed by Gujarati people and people in other regions. Goddess Lakshmi is invoked for getting blessed with benefits / profits in the business and for luck. This festival is the extension of Deepavali celebrations.
Labh Panchami occurs on the Shukla Paksha Panchami of Karthika month. For the Year 2023, it occurs on Friday, 17th November 2023 and Saturday, 18th November 2023. The exact duration of the Panchami Tithi has to be ascertained from the respective regional calendars.
The festival is also called as Shubh-Labh Panchami, Labh Pancham, Saubhagya Panchami, Saubhagya-Labh Panchami, Laakeni Panchami and Gyan Panchami.
Labh Panchami is the first working day of the Gujarati New Year. The shops and business establishments are re-opened on this day after Deepavali holidays.
Rituals
In the first page of the new account ledgers, the words Shubh and Labh are written on the left and right side respectively. The symbol swasthik is drawn.
At the business places, the Puja place is decorated with flowers. The pictures of Sri Ganesh, Bhagwan Shiva, Sri Lakshmi and Sri Saraswathi are cleaned and decked up with flowers. Lamps and incense sticks are lit.
The new ledger books inscribed with Labh, Shubh and Swasthik are kept at the Puja place. Special Pujas are done to all the Deities and the Pujas are done to the ledgers also. The ledgers are also called as Khatu.
Sweets are offered as Neivedyam and distributed to all as Prasad. People also visit the business places of their friends and family members and exchange sweets.
Making donation of cash, food and clothes to the needy and the poor is considered virtuous and auspicious.
It is sincerely believed that the ardent observation of Labh Panchami shall ensure good profit and fortune for the ensuing new business year.
