Diwali Puja Kit

Diwali, which is a more colloquial word for the original festival name ‘Deepawali’ means ‘row of lights’. Deepawali signifies the celebration of improvement of wealth and prosperity. Lovingly known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, the essence of the grand North Indian festival is to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. Rooted in Hindu religious traditions, the festival of Diwali takes place over a span of 5 days. In 2022, the main day of Diwali will be celebrated on 24 October.

This festival usually occurs in autumn, during the Hindu month of Kartik. Specifically, Diwali occurs on the darkest day of the lunar month – the day of new moon. The festival commences on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi (Dhanteras) and concludes on Kartik Krishna Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj) – this usually translates to the new Moon night that falls between mid-October and mid-November as per the Hindu calendar.

Goddess Lakshmi’s Birthday: Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and fortune. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi was born during Samudra Manthan, during which the milky ocean was churned to find the nectar of immortality. Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity. That is why on Diwali, Lakshmi Puja is conducted. New ventures and new accounting years are also initiated on this day by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi.

Victory of Lord Rama: According to Ramayana, Diwali marks the return of a victorious Lord Rama from Lanka. After being on exile for 14 years and subsequently defeating and killing the evil king Ravana, Diwali marks the homecoming of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. The people in Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama and his entourage by lighting ‘diyas’ (earthen lamps) and adorning the streets with candles and firecrackers. Therefore, Diwali came to be known as the festival of lights.

How to perform Lakshmi Puja at Home?

Lakshmi Puja (prayer ritual) is one of the auspicious rituals which is performed during the day of Diwali. This auspicious ritual is performed to invite Goddess Lakshmi into one’s home and seek her blessings. Prayers are offered to the Goddess for seeking blessings, so that the New Hindu Financial Year is filled with peace, wealth and prosperity.

ZONE 1
North & South America
24th October 2022, Monday
Puja Timing: 7:03 PM to 8:42 PM

ZONE 2
Europe and Africa
24th October 2022, Monday
Puja Timing: 7:14 PM to 8:55 PM

ZONE 3
India, Middle East, Asia & Australasia
24th October 2022, Monday
Puja Timing: 6:57 PM to 8:16 PM

A simple Guideline to perform Lakshmi Puja during Diwali

Diwali Lakshmi Puja is on 24 October 2022.

1. Clean the area which is selected for puja.

2. The direction of the puja area should be selected on the east wall of your house.

3. Keep the idol of Lord Ganesha on the left of the idol of Goddess Lakshmi The idols placed in the puja should face east direction to enhance the energy of the puja rituals. Sit facing north-east direction while performing the puja. If you don’t have an idol, you can print a picture or just keep the image in your mind.

4. Steps for performing Lakshmi Puja

Decide the place for the platform: Cover the platform with a red cloth. If red is not available then use any other bright color; avoid black or deep blue.
Create a bed of raw uncooked rice on the red cloth.
Place a kalash [pot] on the bed of rice
- Fill the kalash with 75% of water. Put a betel nut, flower, a clean coin, and some rice in the kalash.
- Now arrange the mango leaves around the neck of the kalash.
- Place a small plain plate over the kalash.
- Place the kalash on the chowki covered with red cloth.
If this is not available then you can make do with a pot of water too.
Take a large plate
- Draw the sign of SWASTIK on it. Place the idol of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi with reverence on the right side of the Kalash. Some coins or jewellery are included in the puja for wealth prosperity.
- Take some water and sprinkle on all puja items to purify them.
- Start the puja by applying Tilak with Kumkum [red powder] and flowers on the kalash. Kumkum should also be applied to the idol of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi; also place some flowers.
Light a Diya or a lamp.

Lighting a Guggal Dhoop is considered auspicious during Diwali which brings peace to the environment. In the absence of all other material, you could use a candle also.

Offerings for Goddess Lakshmi

Batasha [a spherical crispy sugar candy], laddoos, fruits of your choice, dry fruits, and sweets can be offered to the Goddess. This offering is called Prasad which will be distributed to all after the Puja. In the absence of traditional Diwali sweets, you could use plain sugar or any other sweet offering that doesn’t have any egg or non-vegetarian component.

5. Puja Vidhi [Procedure]

Now you must take some flowers and rice in your hands.

Close your eyes and meditate on Goddess Lakshmi as you are invoking Goddess Lakshmi for her blessings.

Recite the Mantra of Goddess Lakshmi for abundance of wealth and prosperity:

“OM HREEM SHREEM KLEEM MAHA LAKSHMI NAMAHA”

Play the Mantra

http://www.indastro.com/mantra/diwali/laxmi_puja.mp3

This is a simple Sanskrit mantra dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.

Now place the idol of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi on a clean plate and bathe it with ‘Panchamrit’ made of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar.

Clean the idols with water again and wipe them with a clean cloth. Place the idols back on the chowki [platform].

Apply Kumkum Tilak, offer flowers, including incense to Goddess Lakshmi.

Next make offerings of Prasad for attaining the blessings of the Goddess.

How to conclude the Diwali Puja?

Lastly, perform the ‘Aarti’ of Goddess Lakshmi by singing or through a silent Aarti to Goddess Lakshmi. Meditate on Goddess Lakshmi for her blessings for a good financial year ahead.

Prayer for Aarti

http://www.indastro.com/mantra/diwali/laxmi_aarti.mp3

Dos and Don’ts for Diwali Puja:

Do not wear dark-coloured clothes in Puja.
It is auspicious to ring bell or blow a conch at the time of Lakshmi puja, as it removes negative energies fromthe house.

Diwali Puja is done after sunset. If some items listed for the puja are not readily available, it is fine. You should give more priority on keeping your surroundings clean and meditating on Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi for their blessings.

Last Updated on October 20, 2022