New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) There are probably few things more sacred to traders than the account book and so traditionally on Diwali, they have been praying to it. This year however, a group of businessmen prayed to their computers instead.

Since Diwali is associated with the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, the business community considers it as an auspicious time to start a new accounting year.

Praveen Khandelwal, president of the Confederation of All India Traders said that this time they were praying to their computers.

‘In view of rapid computerisation, most traders across the country have changed their accounting system from traditional Bahi-Khata to computer system. Therefore today (Saturday), on the occasion of Diwali, the trading community is worshipping their computers,’ Khandelwal said.

According to him, a special puja was organised at Karol Bagh, a busy business district in the capital, Saturday with vedic mantras being recited by priests.

‘We are offering our prayers to one computer and a laptop, since the latter is now being used in our shops as well,’ said Harish Kumar, a trader who participated in the ceremony.

While the ceremony was attended by around 25 traders and shop keepers of the area, it attracted scores of other curious onlookers.

‘Generally we see shopkeepers praying to their account books on Diwali, but this is the first time I am seeing puja being done to computers and laptops! I had come out of my house to buy some flowers and stopped by to see what they were doing with the machines,’ homemaker Gauri Sharma said.