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Diwali, the five day festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains all around the world. During this joyous and festive time when loved ones gather, meals are shared, homes are cleaned, lights are lit and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth & prosperity, is welcomed by all. Many celebrate Diwali in their parent’s home, where traditions and customs are first learned. There are many occasions, however, when you will celebrate Diwali in your own home and carry forward its colorful customs.
To help our sahelis, CitySaheli has compiled a guide to hosting your own Diwali puja (prayer service). Below is some background on the five holy days and steps on how to conduct a puja, as contributed by a local Hindu priest. Please note that there are different ways of conducting Diwali pujas and we encourage all of you to share in our forums under the Diwali section.
Stayed tuned for more Diwali related articles this week. Happy Diwali!
The Five Days of Diwali
Dhanteras (Thursday, October 15 2009), the first day of Diwali, marks the beginning of the festivities. For some, this is a day set aside to worship Lakshmi, the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. Dhanteras prasad (sweets offered at the worship time) is offered to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death, to pray for protection from untimely death.
On the second day of Diwali, Kali, the goddess of strength is worshipped. This day is focused on abolishing laziness and evil.
Likely the most celebrated day of Diwali is the third day, or Lakshmi Puja. Families often join together on this day, sometimes with their priest, to worship the goddess Lakshmi for blessings of wealth and prosperity and the triumph of good over evil. Also, as this the last day on the lunar calendar, parties are held at night to welcome the New Year.
The fourth day, Padwa & Govardhan Puja, falls on the first day of the lunar calendar. On this day old business accounts are settled, new business books are opened and Govardhan puja is performed.
Bhai Duj, the fifth and final day of Diwali, brother’s often visit sister’s to ensure and inquire as to their well being. On this day the sister prays for her brother’s safety, success, and well being.
Lakshmi Puja at Home
Below is a guide to hosting a puja at your home. As regions and families often have different customs, use this as a guide and modify according to your traditions.
Spread a new cloth on a raised platform and place a handful of grains in the center and, on this, place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice grains in it. Arrange five kinds of leaves or mango leaves in the kalash. Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder (haldi) over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.
Place the idol of Ganesha in front of the kalash, on the right (South-West direction), place the idol of Ganesha. Also place ink and books related to your business or occupation on the platform. Light a lamp and begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then offer haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the water that is to be used for the puja. Invoke the river goddesses to be part of this water.
Invoke goddess Lakshmi by reciting the Vedic mantras addressed to her. One can also recite the mantras mentioned in the Puranas or simply take some flowers in your hands, close your eyes, and think of goddess Lakshmi being showered with gold coins by two elephants standing on either side of Her and chant Her name. Then offer the flowers to the idol.
Place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalash. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.
Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume (itr), haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the goddess. Offer a garland of cotton beads to the goddess. Offer flowers, especially the marigold flowers and leaves of Bel (wood apple tree). Light an incense stick and dhoop. Make an offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambul. Make an offering of puffed rice and batasha. Pour some puffed rice, batasha, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds over the idol.
Perform the aarti for goddess Lakshmi (see below). The aarti should be accompanied by a small bell creating a peaceful and sublime atmosphere during the pujan.
Maa Lakshmi Aarti (may differ based on your traditions)
Jai lakshmi maata, Maiyaa jaya lakshmi maataa
Tumako nishadina dhyaavata, Hara Vishnu vidhaataa
“Glory to you, O Mother, glory to you, mother Lakshmi. Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma meditate on you everyday and night.”
Brahmaanii, rudraanii, kamalaa, Tuuhii hai jaga maataa
Suurya chandramaa dhyaavata, Naarada rishi gaataa
“You are yourself the consort of Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu and the mother of the world. The sage Narada sings your praises and the Sun and the Moon meditate on you.”
Durgaa ruupa nirantara, sukha sampati daataa
Jo koi tumako dhyaavata, riddhi siddhi dhana paata
“As Durga, you grant both happiness and prosperity; and he who centers his attention on you becomes a recipient of all riddhis and siddhis-Prosperity and Accomplishment.”
Tuuhii hai paataala basantii, Tuuhii shubha daataa
Karma prabhaava prakaashaka, Jaganidhi ke traataa
“None but you dwell in the nether regions of the earth and you alone ensure good luck, bring to light the effect of Karma (action) and protect all worldly treasures.”
Jisa ghara mein tuma rahatii, saba sadaguna aataa
Kara sake koii kare le, mana nahin ghabaraataa
“All the virtues collect themselves where you have your dwelling ; with your grace and favour even the impossible becomes possible without causing any nervous agitation.”
Tuma bina yagya na hove, Vastra na koii paataa
Khaana paana kaa vaibhava, Saba tumase hii aataa
“No sacrifice can be performed without you (your grace), no one can obtain any garment (to cover his body); it is from you that one obtains one’s sustenance (food and drink).”
Shubha guna mandira sundara, Kshirodadhi jaataa
Ratana chaturdasha tuma hii, Koii nahiin paataa
“O daughter of the Ocean of Milk and the beauteous temple of all propitious virtues, you are a living mass of all the fourteen gems with which none else is endowed.”
Aartii lakshmii jii kii, Jo koii nara gaataa
Ura aananda umanga ati, Paapa utara jaataa
“Whosoever hymns this prayer to Lakshmi is purged of his sins and experiences the ecstasy of joy.”
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