Diwali: A Festival of Lights and Renewal

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, holds deep cultural and religious significance in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Indian scriptures and mythology, particularly the epic Ramayana. The festival commemorates the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and the defeat of the demon king Ravana. As the people of Ayodhya welcomed them back by lighting rows of diyas (oil lamps), the festival of Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Here are some of the key stories associated with Diwali:

1. Return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya
   The most popular story is that Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya lit oil lamps (diyas) to celebrate his return, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

2. Goddess Lakshmi’s Birth and Marriage to Lord Vishnu
   According to mythology, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, was born on this day during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) by the gods and demons. It is believed that on Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi chose to marry Lord Vishnu.

3. The Victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura
   Another legend tells of Lord Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura, who had terrorized the world. This victory is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, one day before Diwali, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

4. The Story of King Bali and Lord Vishnu
   In South India, Diwali is linked to the story of the benevolent demon king Mahabali, who was defeated by Lord Vishnu in his Vamana avatar. In some traditions, Diwali marks the time when Vishnu blessed Bali to visit the earth once a year.

5. The Harvest Festival
   In agricultural societies, Diwali is a time to celebrate the harvest. Farmers offer thanks for the abundance and prosperity from the previous crop season, and prayers are made for continued prosperity.

Significance:Diwali holds immense spiritual significance, signifying the victory of righteousness and the renewal of life. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration, as families come together to express joy, love, and unity. Additionally, Diwali is associated with the goddess Lakshmi, the bringer of wealth and prosperity, and prayers are offered to her for blessings and abundance.

Observance:Diwali is celebrated over five days, with each day holding special significance and rituals. The festival typically begins with Dhanteras, dedicated to the worship of wealth and prosperity. This is followed by Naraka Chaturdashi, when Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. The third day, known as Diwali, is the main festival day marked by the lighting of diyas, fireworks, puja (ritual worship), and feasting. The fourth day is celebrated as Govardhan Puja or Annakut, commemorating the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Lord Krishna. The festival concludes with Bhai Dooj, honoring the bond between brothers and sisters.

1. Dhanteras (First Day)

   • Significance: Dhanteras is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, and it’s believed that buying metals brings good luck.

   • Rituals: People clean and decorate their homes. It’s common to buy gold, silver, or utensils as a sign of prosperity.

   • Pooja Vidhi: A small lamp (diya) is lit at the entrance to welcome wealth and prosperity, and prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi for financial well-being.

2. Naraka Chaturdashi (Second Day)

   • Significance: This day commemorates the defeat of Narakasura by Lord Krishna.

   • Rituals: People take an early morning oil bath, light lamps, and set off firecrackers. It is believed to ward off negative energies.

   • Pooja Vidhi: In some regions, a small idol of Lord Krishna is worshipped, and sweets are offered to symbolize joy and triumph.

3. Lakshmi Puja (Main Day of Diwali)

   • Significance: This is the most significant day of Diwali, dedicated to worshipping Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, health, and prosperity.

   • Rituals: Houses are cleaned thoroughly, decorated with flowers, rangoli, and lamps, symbolizing the goddess’s welcome. Families dress in new clothes, and light diyas, signifying the victory of light over darkness.

   • Pooja Vidhi:

     • Set up a clean altar with idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.

     • Offer flowers, sweets, and prasad (sacred food) to the deities.

     • Chant mantras and perform aarti, invoking blessings for wealth and prosperity.

4. Govardhan Puja and Annakut (Fourth Day)

   • Significance: In North India, this day is celebrated as Govardhan Puja to honor Lord Krishna, who lifted Mount Govardhan to protect villagers from a storm.

   • Rituals: Devotees build small clay hillocks, symbolizing Govardhan, and offer prayers.

   • Pooja Vidhi: Various dishes, especially sweets, are prepared and offered to Lord Krishna as part of the “Annakut” (mountain of food).

5. Bhai Dooj (Fifth Day)

   • Significance: Bhai Dooj celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. According to myth, Yama, the god of death, visited his sister Yamuna on this day, and they exchanged blessings.

   • Rituals: Sisters perform aarti for their brothers, apply a tika (mark) on their foreheads, and pray for their well-being.

   • Pooja Vidhi: A small pooja is performed by sisters, offering prayers for the prosperity and safety of their brothers.

1. Vrishabha (Taurus) Lagan - Sthir Lagan

• Significance: Vrishabha is a fixed or Sthir Lagan, symbolizing stability and long-lasting prosperity. Taurus is associated with Venus, the planet of wealth, luxury, and material well-being, making it ideal for invoking Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings.

• Who Should Perform Puja:

  • Families and individuals seeking long-term financial stability, sustained prosperity, and protection for their home and business.

  • Business owners or those desiring steady growth in income.

• Importance: Performing Lakshmi Puja during Vrishabha Lagan ensures that the blessings received will be stable and enduring. It is considered the most auspicious Lagan for Diwali Puja as it is believed to bring lasting prosperity.

2. Simha (Leo) Lagan

• Significance: Simha Lagan is associated with power, authority, and success. Ruled by the Sun, Leo represents leadership, fame, and social status. This Lagan is beneficial for those wishing to enhance their influence or position in society.

• Who Should Perform Puja:

  • Individuals in leadership roles, government officials, and those aspiring to higher positions.

  • Those seeking recognition, fame, or influence in their careers.

• Importance: Lakshmi Puja during Simha Lagan can help elevate one's social status, bring respect, and grant blessings of power and leadership, making it ideal for ambitious individuals.

3. Vrishchika (Scorpio) Lagan - Sthir Lagan

• Significance: Vrishchika is also a Sthir Lagan, representing intensity, transformation, and depth. Scorpio is ruled by Mars, symbolizing inner strength and resilience. This Lagan is suitable for deep spiritual connections and inner growth.

• Who Should Perform Puja:

  • Those looking for personal transformation, resilience in the face of challenges, and spiritual protection.

  • Individuals involved in careers requiring courage, such as defense, law enforcement, or emergency services.

• Importance: Puja during Vrishchika Lagan is believed to attract blessings for protection, transformation, and personal strength. It is highly auspicious for those undergoing significant life changes or seeking protection from negative influences.

4. Kumbha (Aquarius) Lagan

• Significance: Kumbha Lagan represents innovation, humanitarian values, and intellectual pursuits. Ruled by Saturn, Aquarius is associated with discipline, patience, and long-term goals, ideal for those aiming for intellectual and spiritual growth.

• Who Should Perform Puja:

  • Individuals seeking mental peace, wisdom, or progress in fields like research, education, and social work.

  • People focused on long-term projects or aspirations that require dedication and patience.

• Importance: Performing Lakshmi Puja during Kumbha Lagan invites blessings for intellectual growth, peace, and endurance. It is ideal for those seeking steady progress toward ambitious, long-term goals, including education and innovation.

Variance: Diwali is celebrated with diverse customs and traditions across different regions and communities. In North India, it is associated with the legend of Lord Rama, while in South India, it commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. In Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana or liberation of Lord Mahavira. Sikhs celebrate Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas, commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment.

There are variations in how the festival is observed in different regions. For example, in Indonesia, Diwali is known as Deepavali and is celebrated predominantly by the Indian diaspora. In Malaysia, it is celebrated as Hari Deepavali and is a public holiday. Similarly, in the United States and Canada, Diwali is embraced by people of Indian origin as well as those interested in multicultural festivals.

While traditional rituals are central to Diwali, modern celebrations have evolved to include environmentally friendly practices, such as:

• Eco-friendly Rangolis and Diyas: People are using organic colors and earthen lamps.

• Green Crackers: Crackers with reduced emissions have become popular to minimize air pollution.

• Charity: Many families choose to donate food, clothes, or funds to those in need, embodying the spirit of Diwali.

Pooja : Diwali Puja vidhi differ across regions and customs vary from family to family. Though the basic method is the same. Some people worship only Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesh while some like to pray Lakshmi Ganesh, Sarasvati along with Ganga Ji.

On Kartik Krishna Amavasya, after taking bath early in the morning, Take Sankalp by chanting this

“मम सर्वपच्छान्ति पूर्वकदीर्घायुष्यबल्पुष्टिनैरुज्यदिसकलशुभ्फलप्राप्त्यर्थं गजतुरगरथराज्यैश्वर्यदिसकलसंपदामुत्तरोत्तराभिवृद्धयेअर्थं इन्द्रकुबेरसहितं श्री लक्ष्मी पूजनं करिष्ये “

After taking Sankalp, keep fast either without water or on fruits depending upon your capacity. In the evening, again take bath, and in your pooja room or wealth storage room, place murti of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh on a chauki or on an elevated platform on red cloth. After that draw ashtdal with akshat, and fill a copper, silver, or gold pot with water along with, betel nut,Akshat and coin. Keep some grains on top of kalash and Place this kalash in front of Mutis. Find a small, raised platform, and drape a clean (or preferably new) red cloth over the altar. Then, take a handful of rice and spread it in a small pile at the center of the altar. Flatten the rice pile just a bit in order to create a sturdy bed. Nestle a silver or bronze kalash in the center of the rice. Then, fill it ¾ full with water. To the water, add 1 betel nut, a marigold flower, a coin, and pinch of rice. At the mouth of the kalash, arrange 5 mango leaves in a fanned-out circle. Finally, place a small plate (or “thali”) filled with turmeric on top of the mango leaves, and draw a lotus flower in the turmeric. The kalash appears many times in hindu beliefs and traditions, and is said to contain the elixir of life, and is often a tribute to deities like Lakshmi. Position the idol or picture frame of the Goddess Lakshmi toward the center of the table. Then, position the idol or frame of Lord Ganesha to the southwest of the kalash. Place a small plate of rice in front of Goddess Lakshmi and draw a lotus flower with turmeric on the rice. Set a few coins before the goddess.

After placing Murti, chant  ‘Shri Ganeshaye Namah’, ‘Lakshmaye Namah’, ‘Indraye namah’ and ‘Kuberaye namah’

Arrange things like books, laptops, tools, or pens and pencils next to the Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha—whatever items you might use in your work or career, or which bring you wealth. This is to offer your success to the Goddess and Lord, and to ask them for further success in the future.

Place a mark of turmeric (or a “tilak”) on the idols. Then, light an oil lamp (or “diya”) with 5 wicks on the altar with Lakshmi Puja. You can also use 5 separate lamps.

• The diyas represent purity and goodness—the presence of light also means the banishment of dark powers.

• Decorate your diyas to make them more appealing to the Lord and Goddess.

It is customary to invoke Lord Ganesh before anyone else because he is vighnaharta Thus, removes all obstacles and brings auspiciousness to occasion.

Mantra for Lord Ganesh

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्य कोटि समप्रभा , निविघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्व कार्येषु सर्वदा ||

Vakratunda mahakaya suryakoti samprabha | nirvighnam Kurume dev sarva karyesu sarvada ||

Mantra for Goddess Lakshmi

नमस्ते सर्वदेवानां वरदासि हरेः प्रिया | या गतिस्त्वत्प्रपन्नानां सा मे भूयात्त्वदर्चनात ||

Namste sarvadevanam vardasi hareh Priya| yaa gatistvaatprapannanam sa me bhuyatvadarchanam

Mantra for Indra Poojan

ऐरावत समारुढा व्रज्रहस्तो महाबलः | शत यज्ञाधिपो देवस्तस्मा इन्द्राय ते नमः ||

Airavatsamrudho vrajahasto mahabalah| shatyagnadhipodevastasma indraye ten amah ||

Mantra for Kuber Poojan

धनदाय नमस्तुभ्यं निधिपद्माधिपाय च | भवन्तु त्वत्प्रसादान्मे धनधान्यादिसंपदः ||

Dhandaay namustubhyam nidhipadmadhipay cha|

Bhavantu tvatprasadnme dhandhaayadisampadah ||

In Points:

1. It is quite important to do decluttering and cleaning up the home for Diwali especially for people who do Diwali puja. Thorough cleaning of your home must be done and then Gangajal be sprinkled (holy water from the Ganges River). Homes can be decorated using candles, rangoli and oil lamps.

2. Place a red cotton cloth over the table in your puja room. Put some grains in the center of the platform.

3. Place a bronze or silver Kalash filled with up to 75% water within the center of the grains. Put a coin, one betel nut, one marigold flower, and a few rice grains to the Kalash. Put up to five mango leaves within a circle on to the Kalash.

4. Toward the right of the Kalash, put a statue or photo of Lord Gnesha facing southwest and Goddess Lakshmi statue or picture in the center.
Put some rice on a small thali, make a lotus flower using Haldi, put some money, and set it up in front of the Laxmi Ganesha idols.

5. Put all the money and business related objects in front of the Laxmi Ganesha idols.

6. Apply red tilak, present some flowers and light up a Diya in front of the Laxmi Ganesha idols.

7. To perform a prayer, keep flowers in your hands and recite the puja Mantras with closed eyes.

8. To get started, please join your hands in prayer and then speak out the Diwali puja mantra. Afterwards, present the deities Ganesha and Lakshmi with the flowers in your hands.

9. Take the Lakshmi idol and offer panchamrita as a water bath to it . Wash it again with water, wipe it clean with a fresh towel, and put it back with the Kalash.

10. Offer the deities fresh food, haldi, kumkum as well as a garland. Ignite two incense sticks and a dhoop in front of the Laxmi Ganesha idols.

11. Bring a coconut, betel nut, and paan leaf to the deities. Present treats and fruits to the goddess Laxmi and put a bouquet and add some money in front of the idols.

12. Perform the holy Lakshmi aarti, ignite a Diya in the pooja thali, and ring the puja bell for some time. Afterwards, you can perform activities like donating and distributing prasad, sweets and food.

Diwali Observance: Numerous rituals are followed during Diwali. These rituals vary from state to state and within a state region to region. However,

• cleaning and decorating homes usually by giving new whitewash or fresh paints,

• buying new clothes and jewelry,

• buying new household items either big or small,

• preparing traditional home-made sweets,

• worshipping numerous deities,

• lighting Diya(s) and decorating home with blinking electric lamps,

• bursting firecrackers,

• visiting relatives and family friends,

• distributing sweets, dry-fruits and gifts,

• calling distant family members, relatives and friends to exchange Diwali wishes are the most common activities during Diwali.

Public Life: Most of the public places function as normal during Diwali. On the eve of Diwali most restaurants, pubs, metro trains, buses, taxies, cinema halls and shops, emergency and critical services at hospitals function as normal. However, at most commercial places more than half of the staff would be on leave.

Diwali Wishes

1. Have a happy and safe Diwali.

2. May your Diwali be free from darkness and abundant with light.

3. Have a fun and festive Diwali!

4.Wishing you an abundance of love and riches this Diwali.

5. May Diwali burn out your problems and brighten your life.

6. May all of your wishes come true this Diwali.

7. May your Diwali be peaceful and prosperous.

8. May your Diwali be full of fun and good fortune.