Diwali is the most significant Indian festival, and is celebrated each year by the masses. Rich and poor, young and old they all come together to revel in the festivities to praise the many Hindu Lords who are worshipped on this wondrous festival. During this diwali pooja, prayers are offered to Lakshmi, who is the Goddess of Wealth. She is asked to bless the household with wealth and bring prosperity in all endeavors for the coming year. In this context, diwali pooja is the most important ritual performed during Diwali.
Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity represents the glory and beauty of nature. Hindus perform Lakshmi Puja during Diwali, the festival of lights. People have a belief that on Diwali goddess Lakshmi will visit homes, which are spotlessly cleaned and decorated beautifully as the goddess of wealth likes cleanliness. People light the earthen lamps to welcome goddess Lakshmi. Diwali is celebrated all over India; Lakshmi Puja is the chief event of north and western states of India, on this festival day. Lakshmi Puja is celebrated on the dark night of Amavasya. It is believed that on this day Lakshmi walks through the green fields and loiters through the bye-lanes and showers her blessings on man for plenty and prosperity.
The Diwali Pooja Thali is vital to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh in Diwali celebrations. The Pooja Thali is an inherent part of performing prayer rituals among Hindus. The beautifully designed Diwali Pooja Thalis are simply indispensable in performing worships during the festival of lights. A Pooja Thali is a metal plate, usually made up of copper, brass, steel, silver and sometimes even gold, in which accessories are kept to perform the puja of Gods and Goddesses. It gives immense joy, satisfaction and pleasure to decorate thali for festival. The ladies of the home are cautious and ensure that the thali is in proper order.
By: Ritika Jayaswal
Diwali is the most prominent festival in India and rightly so. It is celebrated with much pomp and splendor across India despite the geographical and cultural barriers. The festival of lights is the home coming of Goddess Lakshmi, considered the deity of wealth and prosperity.
As the sun sets, people decorate their homes with diyas and prepare to perform Puja. Though Diwali is celebrated for five days, the third day is considered to be the most auspicious and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in a special way.
The puja room is cleaned and the deities are bathed, with water and panchamrita or rose water. Panchamrita is made of five ingredients namely milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey. Lord Ganesha is worshiped before any God among Hindus and it is no different during the Diwali celebrations. Mithais, fruits and snacks are prepared which is offered to God and later used as prashad or holy food. Diyas are lit and kept before God thereby making the idols look ornate.
The offerings include vermillion, turmeric and abir (red color). Incense sticks are lit and along with food items, freshly picked flowers are offered to the deities. Lord Ganesha's bhajans are sung followed by Goddess Lakshmi's. Lakshmi Puja is almost incomplete without lotus offerings, followed by a silver coin which is placed at her feet. The final offering includes beetle leaves and clove. After the puja, prashad is distributed among family and friends.
Diwali, the festival of lights is incomplete without fireworks and once the offerings are made the entire family prepares to takes part in bursting fire crackers. This is the time when members of the family get together and take part in frolic.
Normally a feast is cooked for all, as they thank Goddess Lakshmi for her generosity. In certain parts of the country a sweet preparation made of rice and jaggery is prepared. Rice is believed to denote prosperity and wealth and a sweet preparation is symbolic of good things that are welcomed into life. In rural India where agriculture is the prime occupation cattle are decked up and worshiped on the day of Diwali.
Diwali is indeed not merely about lights and fireworks. The devotion and rituals that are indispensable to its authenticity make it the most widely celebrated festival in India.
