Diwali Laxmi Puja: The Most Prominent Diwali Ritual

The festival of lights is round the corner and what better way to augment the harbinger of good times than with suitable preparation. Among the myriad customs that are innate to the festival of lights, is the elaborate Laxmi Puja. Its significance is so profound that it is known as Diwali Laxmi Pooja and is marked by worshipping the Laxmi idol.

The festival is marked by several rituals which are incomplete without the Diwali Pooja thali, which during this time, gains lot of prominence. The Diwali Pooja thali is decorated in a traditional manner with flowers, rice, turmeric and vermillion. In Southern India, Sandal wood paste is often seen adorning the Diwali Pooja Thali.

Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the homecoming of Lord Rama and the festive celebration is often incomplete without invoking the goddess of wealth. The Diwali Laxmi Pooja is performed by placing the Laxmi idol in a plate and bathing it with water, followed by panchamrit and then with water containing a gold ornament or pearl. The Laxmi idol is then decorated with ornaments and placed on the kalash.

The offerings given to the Goddess during the Diwali Laxmi Pooja include sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume water, turmeric, vermillion and gulal. They are placed on the Diwali Pooja Thali .Lighting incense stick and dhoop perks up the Diwali Laxmi Pooja. In some parts of the country, a garland of cotton beads is offered to the Goddess.

There are a few aspects that one should keep in mind while performing the Diwali Laxmi Pooja and one of them is to minimize the noise, as the goddess abhors loud noise. The chanting of mantras and ringing of bell should be carried out in a peaceful manner and although bursting crackers during Diwali is a ritual, one should avoid it during the Diwali Laxmi Pooja.

The Diwali Laxmi Pooja is complete with suitable bhajans played in the background. Get the Diwali Pooja Thali ready and you are well prepared for the festive occasion. Welcome the festival of lights with exquisite Diwali Pooja thali and follow the procedures mentioned above to make the celebrations complete.

By: Amrith K.A.

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