Diwali Festival: Celebration, Significance & Traditions

Diwali Festival of five days

Diwali is a religious and spiritual festival of Hindus. Everyone celebrates this festival with enthusiasm and happiness. There is no difference between day and night due to the light in every house. Every place is illuminated by lighting lamps, which is why it is also called Deepotsav. Be it rich or poor, everyone celebrates this festival with great pomp. The purpose of Diwali is to promote brotherhood. On this festival, everyone gives gifts and sweets to each other as gifts. Children wait for this day from a very early date because they get new clothes and gifts on this day, and they also get excited by burning crackers. The Diwali festival is celebrated in all religions. Diwali is a symbol of the victory of truth over sin. The Diwali festival is celebrated for five days which each day has its own importance. It starts from Dhanteras and is celebrated till Bhai Dooj.

Why is Diwali celebrated? There are many other main reasons for celebrating these special days.

On this day, the goddess of wealth was incarnated during the “Samudra Manthan”. Lord “Dhanvantari” and “Kuber” were also born on this day during the “Samudra Manthan”.
On this day, Shri Ram ji returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshman after conquering Lanka, due to which ghee lamps were lit in every house to welcome him.
Two days before this day, Lord “Krishna” killed “Narakasur” and saved 16,000 women from his captivity, due to which the festival of victory was celebrated till the day of Diwali.
The founder of the “Arya Samaj” and the founder of Jainism attained Nirvana.
The Golden Temple was also established in Amritsar on this day, and Guru Hargobind ji was released from custody on this day.
On this day, the Pandavas returned after 12 years of exile, due to which they lit lamps and illuminated them after coming back.
King Vikramaditya was crowned on this day. Since then, this day has been celebrated historically.
On this day, Lord Vishnu in his Vamana avatar saved Goddess Lakshmi from the captivity of King Bali.
At the time of Diwali, a special position of the Sun and Moon is formed, during which special fruits are obtained by performing rituals and siddhis. People of many religions celebrate the festival of Diwali with joy and enthusiasm according to their customs.
A few days before, the houses and workplaces are cleaned and painted, where there is cleanliness, Lakshmi definitely comes, then the house is decorated with lights and attractive things. Businessmen check their accounts and implement new rules of business with enthusiasm.

Dhanteras:- Wealth and prosperity come to the house on the day of “Dhanteras”. “Lakshmi Puja” does not mean wealth; Lakshmi means prosperity, happiness, and health. On this day, “Dhanvantari”, the god of health, appeared on earth with a medicinal pot. On this day, any metal or utensil made of any metal is bought and brought home. But these utensils should not be brought empty; bring any kind of grain in them so that there will never be a shortage of wealth and grains in the house. In the evening, light a lamp for Yamraj at the main door facing south in a vessel filled with grains and pray to save yourself and your family from troubles and problems.

On this day, fodder must be fed to the cow. This is the day of “Amrit”; on this day, special rituals are performed to get rid of debt, bad influences, and special troubles; that is why this day is very important.

On this day, if Narayan Mantra and Mahamrityunjay Mantra are perfected, then all kinds of problems can be overcome. Make sure to buy cleaning equipment on this day. On this day, businessmen worship their throne and students worship their chairs. In the evening, light 13 lamps with sesame oil and worship your treasury and Kubera. Then face south and offer water to Yamraj. Take out grains to donate to the puja. To attain any special siddhi, perform the rituals in a special muhurta.

Chhoti Diwali: The second day of “Dhanteras” is called “Chhoti Diwali”. This day is also called “Narak Chaturdashi”. Taking a bath before sunrise on this day relieves many problems. Perform sadhna and rituals in an auspicious muhurta. In the evening, put pure oil in four earthen lamps and put some grains under the lamp, and some coins in the lamp, and let it burn all night. In the morning, donate these grains to a poor person and mix some grains with other grains in the house, and keep the coins in your treasury.

Diwali: On the evening of Diwali, beautiful rangolis are made with colors and flowers outside the house. On the night of “Amavasya”, in the auspicious time of Diwali, the goddess of wealth, “Shri,” is worshipped with rituals, which are explained in detail below. On this day, by installing a pyramid of Panch Dhatu, the inflow of wealth is maintained. After the puja, ghee lamps are lit in homes and crossroads so that the night of “Amavasya” is transformed into light. “Pradosh Kaal” is considered to be the most important time for “Lakshmi Puja”.

This is the best time for worship, which starts after sunset.

“Lakshmi Puja” should be done when there is a stable Lagna. It is believed that by worshipping in a stable Lagna, “Lakshmi” remains stable. Taurus and Leo are stable Lagnas. Therefore, remember this Muhurta, there is no benefit in not worshipping during the “Muhurta”. But this is also true, Lakshmi Ji is fickle and never stays stable at one place, that is why “Lakshmi” Ji should never be worshipped alone; it should always be done with “Vishnu” Ji. “Vishnu” Ji returned to “Vaikunth” along with “Lakshmi” Ji on the day of Diwali.

By worshipping Goddess Lakshmi Ji with rituals on the night of Diwali, one gets the blessings of Shri Ji. For this day, a new sitting idol of Lakshmi Ji and Ganesh Ji should be brought. Do not keep the idol of “Lakshmi” Ji on the left side of “Ganesh” Ji. While worshipping, your face should be towards the north or west direction; the north direction is the direction of “Kuber” and wealth, and the west direction is the direction of attainment. Use colors in Rangoli according to the position of your planets. This will ensure that no work is hindered. Do not keep Ganesh at the main door, as he is not the gatekeeper. Using a “Swastika” at the main door brings prosperity into the house.

Diwali Puja Material: For Diwali Puja, red or yellow color cloth, clay idol of Ganesh Lakshmi, Sandalwood, Rice, Rose, Itra, Mango and Betel leaves, Betel Nut, Durva, Panchamrit, cotton, Rose, Marigold, Lotus Flowers, Fruits, Roli, Moli, Cloves-Cardamom, Coconut, Rice, Sweets, Laddu, Ghee, Incense-lamp, Camphor, Sacred thread, Silver coin, and Rupees. Call for Puja with Vidhi Vidhan on Diwali

On the day of Diwali, after cleaning, wear red-yellow clothes and keep a small stool near the temple and spread a red or yellow cloth on it, and make a Swastika on it.

Install the idol of Ganesh Lakshmi facing east or west and keep the Kalash and coconut in front. Make nine piles of nine planets with rice near the Kalash. Now start the Puja as per the method. Offer a flower garland on the idol and offer fruits, flowers, an incense lamp, Naivedya, and other materials.

Recite Ashtalakshmi Maha Srotra or Sri Sukta during Lakshmi Puja.

Worship method with details. First of all, Lord Ganesha should be worshipped.

Arvibhaav– Tie a betel nut with a string and offer it to Lord Ganesha along with mantras.
Mantra: ऊँ गणानां त्वा गणपति हवामहे प्रियाणां त्वा प्रियापति हवामहे। निधीनां त्वा निधि-पति हवामहे वसो मम्। आहमजानि गर्भधमा त्वमजासि गर्भधम्।
Invocation- Holding Akshat in hands and making the invocation posture of hands, pronounce the mantra.
Mantra- ऊँ भूर्भव: स्व: श्रीगण्पते! इहागच्छ, इह तिष्ठ, मम पूजां गृहाण्।
Dashopachar Puja- After Pran Pratistha, perform Dashopachar Puja. Then pray to Lord Ganesha. After that, worship Lord Lakshmi.

Shri Lakshmi Pujan- Meditation – First of all, meditate on the Goddess and chant the mantra-“या सा पद्मासनस्था विपुल-कटि-तटि पद्म-पत्रायताक्षी, गम्भीरार्तव-नाभि: स्तन-भर-नमिता शुभ्र-वस्त्रोत्तरीया। या लक्ष्मीद्रिव्य-रुपैर्मणि-गण-खचितै: स्वापिता हेम-कुम्भै:, सा नित्यं पद्म-हस्ता मम वसतु गृहे सर्व-मांगल्य-युक्त्ता॥“

Invocation – After meditating, Mother Goddess is invoked with mantras-“आगच्छ देव-देवेशि! तेजोमयि महा-लक्ष्मी! क्रियमाणां मया पूजां, गृहाण सुर-वंदिते! ॥ श्रीलक्ष्मी- देवीं आवाहयामि॥“

Offering flowers- After invocation, offer flowers to Mother Goddess along with mantras- “नाना-रत्न-समायुक्त्म, कार्त-स्वर-विभूषितम्। आअसनं देव-देवेश! प्रीत्यर्थ प्रति- गृह्म्ताम॥ ॥ श्री लक्ष्मी-देव्यै आसनार्थे पंच-पुष्पाणि समर्पयामि॥“

Swagat-Welcome the Goddess with folded hands with the mantra. “Shri Lakshmi-Devi! Swagatham.”
Ardhya-After welcoming, wash the feet and then offer water for the Abhishek of the head.
Panchamrit-Snan-Bathe with curd, honey, ghee, sugar, and water. Then offer Gandh bath. After that, offer a bath with pure water.
Clothes-Offer clothes to the Goddess.
Tilak– Offer Tilak and Kumkum, and Abir Gulal in the form of unbroken good fortune to Shri Lakshmi. Then offer rice, sandalwood in the form of fragrance, and flowers.

Body worship and Ashta Siddhi Puja-Worship the Goddess’s body parts with rice in the left hand, then again offer sandalwood, flowers, and rice in the left hand to the Ashta Siddhis with the right hand. After that, offer flowers to Ashta Lakshmi with mantras.

Dhoop and Deep-Surrender-Offer beautiful, delightfully fragrant incense and a lamp of pure ghee.

Naivedya-Water Offering-Offer suitable food items and water. After that, offer betel nut and cardamom to Shri Lakshmi.

Aradhana-Worship the Goddess by reciting 108 names of Shri Lakshmi, Shri Suktam, Mantra, and Lakshmi Chalisa. Start the Puja by making the surroundings fragrant. First, concentrate on your breathing for some time, then, after remembering your deity, chant using a rosary of lotus seeds or crystals. Also chant the Mahamrityunjay and Narayan Mantra.

Dakshina-Pradakshina– Offer Dakshina in the form of gold, silver, and flowers to Shri Lakshmi. Now, circumambulate Shri Lakshmi from left to right.

Sashtang Pranam/Forgiveness Prayer– Prostration is done to Shri Lakshmi with her eight limbs. In the end, forgiveness should be sought from Shri Lakshmi for any mistake committed during the Puja.

O Goddess, I do not know anything, Mantra. Whatever I have done without rituals and devotion, may my worship be complete. May Goddess Lakshmi be pleased with the worship done with the remedies available as much as possible.

Govardhan Puja:- Govardhan Puja is performed on the next day of Diwali, on this day Lord Shri Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on his smallest finger to break the pride of Indra. That is why on this day, there is a ritual of making an idol of Lord Krishna, worshipping him, and offering 56 food offerings. On this day also, a lamp of pure oil is lit outside the house.

Bhai Dooj:- The fifth day is celebrated as the love between brother and sister. The sister applies a tilak on her brother’s forehead and wishes for his well-being in life. The brother also makes his sister happy by giving gifts.

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