Diwali Puja & Festivals

Lakshmi Puja, is a Hindu religious festival that falls on Amavasya (new moon day) of Krishna Paksha (Dark fortnight) in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar month of Ashwin, on the third day of Tihar and is considered as the main festive day of Deepawali.

According to legend, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and lord Vishnu's wife, visits her devotees and bestows gifts and blessings upon each of them. To welcome the Goddess, devotees clean their houses, decorate them with finery and lights, and prepare sweet treats and delicacies as offerings.

It is popularly believed that Lakshmi likes cleanliness and will visit the cleanest house first. Hence, the broom is worshiped with offerings of haldi (turmeric) and sindoor (vermilion) on this day. Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshiped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighneshvara; goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in her three forms; Mahalakshmi the goddess of wealth and money, Mahasaraswati the goddess of books and learning, and Mahakali. Kubera the treasurer of the gods is also worshiped.

Firstly, before starting the puja process, the place should be cleaned by using 'Ganga jal' too to purify the area, once cleaning is done.

Secondly, what follows is the setting-up of a raised platform and on it place a red-coloured cloth. In the centre of the cloth, carefully put a handful of grains palce a 'kalash' (pot), which will be filled with water, one supari, a marigold flower, coin and rice. You also need to keep five mango leaves, which will be used in the 'kalash', after which goddess Lakshmi and lord Ganesha will be placed on the 'kalash'. Now, after the mango leaves are placed inside the 'kalash'. Now prepare a traditional 'puja ki thali', comprising rice grains, which will have to be placed in a heap. Then, with the help of turmeric/haldi powder, draw a lotus flower over it then gracefully place your beautiful Lakshmi idol over it.

According to Hindu mythology, lord Ganesha is invoked before any god or goddess when performing a puja or havan. Therefore, you will also have to place a Ganpati idol facing south-west direction on the right side of the 'kalash' As per rituals in our Hindu religion, welcome the lord with putting a haldi-kumkum tilak on the forehead. Offer some rice grains to the Ganpati idol.

Light a special Diwali diya, and place it on the 'puja ki thali'. Also, with it put some more rice grains kumkum and flowers. You will also have to remember to keep aside a glass of water which will be used during the puja. Now, as you proceed to perform the puja—start with putting a 'tilak' on the 'kalash', also apply it on a glass of water which you kept it aside for puja. Offer some flowers also.

Now starts the process of invoking the goddess. If you know how to correctly chant the vedic mantras of Lakshmi Maa. Take some flowers and rice grains in your hand, close your eyes with full devotion bow your head down before the goddess and chant her holy name. Afterwards, offer the flowers and rice in your hand to the goddess.

Once the goddess is invoked, take the Lakshmi idol and put in a plate, while bathing it with water. Put the 'panchamrit', and clean the idol again with pure water. Now,clean the idol, wipe out the water and place it on the 'kalash'. Welcome the goddess with a freshly-made garland of flowers. You can also offer some marigold and Bel. To get that aromatic feel, light up some incense sticks before the goddess.

You will then have to please the goddess offering her some sweets, as it is the festival of wonderful mithais. Place the coconut in front of the goddess. You will also have to place the supari on a supari leaf—again beautifying it with some haldi-kumkum and rice grains.

Lastly, the entire puja culminates with a Lakshmi aarti, where everyone joins in the celebratory mood and prays to the Mother goddess together. With folded hands, we immerse ourselves before the goddess Lakshmi and in our honest askings —pray for prosperity and well-being.

After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks). The children enjoy sparklers and variety of small fireworks, while adults enjoy playing with ground chakra, Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar), sutli bomb, chocolate bomb, rockets and bigger fireworks.[7] The fireworks signify celebration of Diwali as well a way to chase away evil spirits.[8][9] After fireworks, people head back to a family feast, conversations and mithai (sweets, desserts)