Deepavali and lakshmi pooja

Diwali is the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi visit everyone during Diwali and brings peace and prosperity to all. On the night of Diwali "Lakshmi-Pujan" is performed in the evenings.

A traditional Pujan is performed after sunset in all the homes. Five pieces of ghee diyas (lamps)are lit in front of the deities,
naivedya of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess and devotional songs are sung in praise of Goddess Laxmi. After Deepawali Puja people light diyas (lamps) in their homes to usher in light and clear the darkness from the world. In villages cattle are adorned and worshipped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south, cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshipped on this day.

Diwali Puja Process:1. First clean the Puja room and then Bathe each Deity ( Lakshmi & Ganesh) first with water, then with panchamitra/or rose water, followed by water once more

2. Now put Deepak (Lamp) in front of the Deities - As the tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits

3. Make a Panchamitra with 5 ingredients of milk, curd, ghee (clarified butter), sugar & Honey.

4. Place Few mithais, snacks & fruits as a prashad.

5. Make offerings of flowers , abir (red colour), sindoor (vermillion), haldi (turmeric), and Light the

6. Agarbatti (incense sticks) and lamps filled with Ghee.

7. Now make offerings of fruit, sweet meat (mithai), Salty snacks (Mathis, Ghathia, Namakpare) and offer dakshina (token money), which could be given to the poor.

8. In the end offer paan (betel leaves) , cloves. Now pray to the dieties to seek their blessings.

9. Ganesh Puja -Ganesh Puja is a must for Diwali Puja. (Lord Ganesha is to be worshipped in all pujas before any other God or Goddess.) (Ganesh Aarti is sung) 10. Laxmi Puja : Place Lotus and other flowers at her feet as an offering. A silver coin is placed in front of the Goddess during the puja. Now perform Arti with flowers in hand .

LAKSHMI POOJA

The day of Lakshmi Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya.

Lakshmi Puja is celebrated in the evening when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits, devotional songs in praise of Goddess Lakshmi are sung and traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess.

The strains of the joyous sounds of bells and drums float from the temples as man is invoking Goddess Laxmi in a wondrous holy "pouring-in" of his heart. All of a sudden that impenetrable darkness is pierced by innumerable rays of light for just a moment and the next moment a blaze of light descends down to earth from heaven as golden-footed Deep-Lakshmi alights on earth in all her celestial glory amidst chantings of Vedic hymns. 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.

Steps of Lakshmi Puja:

Spread a new cloth on a raised platform:

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: 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.

Offerings:Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume , 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. Safe where you keep money and jewelry; Worship this safe as a symbol of Lord Kuber .

Aarti:Finally, perform the aarti for goddess Lakshmi.

Always remember that She abhors loud noise. So the aarti should be accompanied only by a small bell. Do not clap hands, as is the practice when performing aarti for other gods.

A peaceful and sublime atmosphere should prevail during the pujan.

Do not light crackers while the puja is on or immediately after it.