All that we should know about Diwali Puja

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All that we should know about Diwali Puja

Diwali is the time of the year that brings merry making and a string of customs/rituals. Diwali is celebrated to welcome the home-coming of Lord Rama after spending 14 years of exile. But Diwali has a lot more attached with it. Every household in India gears up to welcome the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi. Laxmi Puja is performed with full custom and rituals.

Why do we worship Goddess Laxmi on Dhanteras?

It is believed that on the day of Dhanteras that Goddess Laxmi came out of the ocean while it churned a pot of gold and wealth. Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali. It falls on the 13^th day of Kartik Krishna Paksha in the holy month of Kartik. Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi is the significant day when Lord Kuber and Goddess Laxmi are worshipped.

An interesting fact can be highlighted here. If we all know that Diwali was first celebrated to welcome the home coming of Lord Rama, then why don’t we worship Him on this auspicious day?

Well, here goes the answer. As per popular belief, when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile, the first thing He did was to worship Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha. This ringed in the tradition of worshipping Laxmi and Ganesha on this auspicious day. It became a custom as time passed and took the shape of Laxmi Pooja on Diwali night.

Why do we worship Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha on Diwali?

Interestingly Diwali falls on the new moon day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin Month that is called Amavasya. Still Diwali is the most auspicious night of the year. Lord Ganesha is worshipped with Goddess Laxmi. Goddess Laxmi is the Goddess of wealth and fortune and Lord Ganesha is the Lord of wisdom and intellect. He is also worshipped because he has the power to remove obstacles in the life of the natives. No ritual or religious ceremony is deemed complete without worshiping Lord Ganesha.

Hence, Laxmi Puja is also considered significant and complete with the presence of Lord Ganesha with Goddess.  Gaining wealth is one of the most important desires of humans. But maintaining sanity and intellect with wealth is also an important element in life. Hence, intelligence and wisdom is required for the same and Lord Ganesha’s blessings can provide that harmony in our life. He can guide the people to spend the wealth with intelligence.

A mythological story will further throw light on the question. Once Goddess Laxmi was in conversation with her husband, Lord Vishnu and the Lord observed that she was giving herself the credit for all the worldly pleasures and desires. She also considered herself as one of the most worshipped deity in the universe. Lord Vishnu decided to make her realise her ego and do away with it. As Goddess Laxmi had not experienced motherhood, he said that a woman is incomplete without experiencing it. Goddess Laxmi was heart-broken and met Goddess Parvati to seek her support and get the blessings of motherhood. She wanted to adopt one of Parvati’s sons but the latter was not in favour of the same because Laxmi did not stay in one place for a long time. Goddess Laxmi assured Goddess Parvati that she will take the best care of her son and he will be worshipped with her. On hearing this, Parvati agreed and gave Ganesha to her. Hence, Lord Ganesha is worshipped with Goddess Laxmi on Diwali.

Diwali is 5-day celebration that starts with Dhanteras and comes to an end with Bhai Dhuj.

Day 1     Dhanteras or Dhantrayodhi

The tradition is to buy new utensils, gold or silver. It is considered auspicious to indulge in such activities and perform Kuber and Laxmi Pooja on this day.

Day 2     Choti Diwali or Narak Chaturdashi

It is also known as Roop Chaturdashi or Roop Chaudas in some parts of the country. The mythological significance explains the importance of taking oil bath on this day as Lord Krishna did it after killing the demon Naraksura on this day. This explains the reason for Abhyanga Snan on this day before sunrise. It is the mixture of Ayurvedic herbs and oil. The mixture is applied on the body and after massage, the holy bath is followed.

Day 3     Diwali

The main day is Diwali and Lakshmi Pooja is performed at night. Homes and offices are cleaned and decorated with flowers, rangoli, and oil lamps to welcome the Goddess. Merry making and exchanging gifts/greetings are also a part of tradition.

Day 4     Govardhan Puja

Delicious food or popularly known as Chappan Bhog is offered to Lord Krishna on this day. People make a mountain of food to offer to the Lord that is called Annakoot.

Day 5     Bhai Dhuj

Sister and brother celebrate their love for each other on this auspicious day. It commemorates the bond shared by the siblings and sisters apply Tikka on the forehead of their brothers and pray for their long life. Brothers pamper their sisters by offering them gifts. It falls on the dark lunar night of Kartik month.

Vedic Guru Ji is providing you an opportunity to make your stars shine this Diwali. We are here with the Saubhagya Potli Puja which we will perform for you. Shell out just Rs 1100 and get your Puja performed by our experts Acharyas Astrologers. You will be provided with the Saubhagya Potli that you can keep with you either at your home locker, temple, cupboard or office. The potli will help you in achieving success and bring in wealth and prosperity.