Diwali 2016: Puja Vidhi and Shubh Muhurat

The festival of lights, Diwali would be celebrated all across the country on 30th October 2016. Happiness and sorrows are indispensable parts of our mortal lives, but we must never discontinue the inward journey towards truth. Have you ever seen the diyas that we light on Diwali? Its wicker withstands the strong winds and continues to spread light. In the same way, on Diwali, we must brace ourselves for overcoming the challenges and hardships of life and must never let the light inside all of us fall dim.

The legendary story of Ramayana teaches us all a valuable lesson of life. Lord Rama, Maa Sita and Laxman were all reincarnations of Gods. Still, they underwent tragedies and thus presented before the common man, the truth about the troubles that a human faces. They taught us that suffering is an inevitable part of human life, but one must never lose hope after failures and nor must they become arrogant after victories.

On this 30th of October, we all will once again celebrate the arrival of Lord Rama with Maa Sita to Ayodhya. Again the diyas will be lit, and people will rejoice the victory of good over evil.

How to perform Laxmi Puja

Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on the auspicious day of Diwali. They pray to the deities for blessing them with peace, prosperity and good health.

Items required for puja :

• Diyas (Earthen lamps)
• Paste of sandalwood
• Flowers, sweets
• Sweets, apple
• Kalash
• Rice grains

Rituals for Diwali Puja

• The place where puja is to be performed must be sanctified by sprinkling holy water – Ganga Jal.
• A high platform must be set, on which a red cloth should be spread. A handful of grains must be kept in the centre on the red cloth.
• A Kalash must be placed in the middle. The Kalash is to be filled 75 percent with water. Betel nuts, rice, coin and flowers must also be put in the Kalash. 5 mango leaves must be arranged on the neck of the Kalash. A small thali is then placed on top of the Kalash on which a small mountain of rice is made. A lotus is drawn on the rice with Haldi powder.
• The face of the idols of Laxmi and Ganesh must be west-facing, and the idol of Maa Laxmi must be on the right side of Lord Ganesha. Some coins are also put before the idol of Maa Laxmi.
• Tilak of Haldi and Kumkum is applied, and flowers are offered to the idols as well as to the Kalash. Sweets are then offered to the deities and incense sticks are lit.
• When one starts the Puja, they must keep the books of their business accounts besides the idol of Maa Laxmi. A Swastik is also drawn with vermilion on the floor or the wall.
• One Earthen lamp filled with ghee and one filled with oil is lit in front of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi.
• During the puja, the devotees must sit with their faces in the East or North direction. Mantras and Bhajans of Maa Laxmi and Lord Ganesha are chanted for invoking the Goddess of Wealth and the God of knowledge. People must whole-heartedly worship the Gods and must seek their blessings for facing the challenges of the coming year.