After a year-long wait, the joyous festival of Diwali is once again being celebrated with great fervor. Every year, the festival of Diwali is observed on the Amavasya Tithi of the Kartik month, which is considered especially significant for the worship of Maa Lakshmi and Shri Ganesha. Performing Puja and devotion to Maa Lakshmi on this day bestows special blessings upon devotees. But do you know why Diwali is celebrated? If not, let us tell you that many sacred stories regarding Diwali are narrated in our scriptures. Let us delve into these sacred narratives.

Why Do We Celebrate Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi)?

Bhagwan Vishnu, in His eighth incarnation as Shri Krishna, vanquished the demon Narakasura. When the demon Narakasura wreaked havoc with his terror across the three worlds, he became arrogant due to his immense power and posed a threat not only to his own subjects but also to the Devas. He established a reign of terror and abducted sixteen thousand divine maidens, intending to sacrifice them to attain immortality. All the Devas, Devi Maa, and sages were greatly distressed by his tyranny. At that time, Bhagwan Shri Krishna slayed Narakasura and freed everyone from his oppression. To commemorate this glorious victory, a two-day festival was celebrated, which came to be known as Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) and Diwali.

Why Is the Festival of Diwali Celebrated?

According to religious scriptures, on the Amavasya Tithi of Kartik month, Bhagwan Shri Ram returned to His birthplace Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile. In this joy, the people of Ayodhya lit lamps, celebrated a grand Deepotsav, and welcomed Bhagwan Shri Ram with devotion. Since then, every year on Kartik Amavasya, the festival of Diwali is celebrated with the same joy and enthusiasm. On this occasion, homes and surrounding places are decorated with lamps and lights.

Why Is Mata Lakshmi Worshipped on Diwali?

When the Devas and Asuras were performing the Samudra Manthan, 14 divine treasures emerged from the churning of the ocean, and Mata Lakshmi was one of them. It is believed that Mata Lakshmi appeared on the Amavasya Tithi of Kartik month. Therefore, on the occasion of Diwali, special worship of Shri Ganesh Ji and Mata Lakshmi is performed. According to religious beliefs, worshipping Mata Lakshmi on this day brings happiness, prosperity, wealth, honor, and divine abundance, and the wishes of devotees are fulfilled.

Why Was Diwali Celebrated During the Mahabharata Period?

During the Mahabharata period, with the help of Shakuni Mama, the Kauravas deceitfully defeated the Pandavas in a game of dice and took away their entire kingdom. The Pandavas were then sent into exile for 13 years. It is believed that on the Amavasya Tithi of Kartik month, the Pandavas returned home after completing their 13 years of exile. When they returned, the people of the city welcomed them by lighting lamps in joy.

The Mythological Katha of Mata Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh Ji

Shri Ganesh Ji, the giver of auspiciousness, is regarded as the adopted son of Mata Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. Once, Mata Lakshmi became proud of Her wealth and grandeur. Then Bhagwan Vishnu said, “Although the whole world worships you and longs to receive your grace, still you are not complete.” Hearing this, Mata Lakshmi asked, “For what reason am I incomplete?” Bhagwan Vishnu replied, “Until a woman becomes a mother, she does not attain completeness. Since you have no child, you are incomplete.” Hearing this, Mata Lakshmi became very sorrowful.

Seeing Mata Lakshmi in sorrow, Mata Parvati placed Her son Shri Ganesh Ji in Mata Lakshmi’s lap. Since then, Shri Ganesh Ji has been regarded as the adopted son of Mata Lakshmi. Receiving Shri Ganesh Ji as Her adopted son, Mata Lakshmi became extremely pleased and gave a blessing to Shri Ganesh Ji: “Whoever worships Me but does not worship you along with Me, I shall not stay with that person.” For this reason, in Diwali Puja, the worship of Shri Ganesh Ji along with Mata Lakshmi is considered essential.

Diwali Puja Muhurat

On the day of Diwali, Mata Lakshmi is worshipped during Pradosh Kaal. It is believed that worshipping Mata Lakshmi at this time protects a person from poverty and brings prosperity into life.

Essential Items for Diwali Puja

For the Puja of Mata Lakshmi, one should gather items such as roli, rice, betel leaf and betel nut, cloves, cardamom, incense, camphor, lamps filled with ghee or oil, kalava, coconut, Gangajal, jaggery, fruits, flowers, sweets, durva, sandalwood, Panchamrit, dry fruits, kheel, batashe, a wooden platform, kalash, flower garland, conch, idols or images of Mata Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh Ji, Puja thali, silver coin, and 11 diyas. Among flowers, lotus and rose are considered dear to Mata Lakshmi, and among fruits, coconut, custard apple, berries, pomegranate, and water chestnut are offered. For fragrance, kewra, rose, and sandalwood perfume may be used in the Puja. Other traditional Puja items may include sugarcane, lotus seeds, raw turmeric, bilva leaves, Panchamrit, Gangajal, woollen asan, ornaments, cow dung, sindoor, and bhojpatra.

Diwali Puja Vidhi

On Kartik Amavasya, take a bath in the morning and worship all deities with devotion. In the evening, draw a Swastik on a clean wooden platform and install the idols or images of Mata Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh Ji on it. Place a kalash filled with water in front of the deities and sprinkle water while chanting purification mantras.

For the worship of Mata Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh Ji, use jaggery, fruits, flowers, sweets, sandalwood, Panchamrit, dry fruits, kheel, batashe, and other sacred offerings. Along with them, Devi Saraswati, Bhagwan Vishnu, Maa Kali, and Kuber Dev may also be worshipped.

Preparation for Diwali Puja

Place the idols or images of Mata Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh Ji on the wooden platform in such a way that their faces are toward the east or west. Mata Lakshmi should be placed on the right side of Shri Ganesh Ji. The person performing the Puja should sit facing the deities. Place the kalash near Mata Lakshmi on a bed of rice. Wrap the coconut in a red cloth in such a way that its front portion remains visible, and place it on the kalash. This kalash is considered a symbol of Varun Dev.

Place two large lamps — fill one with ghee and the other with oil. Keep one lamp on the right side of the platform and the other near the feet of the deities. Also place one lamp near Shri Ganesh Ji.

In front of the main platform where the deities are placed, keep a smaller platform and spread a red cloth over it. Near the kalash, make nine small heaps of rice, symbolizing the Navagraha. Toward Shri Ganesh Ji’s side, make sixteen small heaps of rice, symbolizing the sixteen Matrikas. Draw a Swastik between the Navagraha and the sixteen Matrikas.

Place a betel nut in the center of the Swastik and make small heaps of rice at its four corners. At the top center, write the symbol “Om”. In front of the smaller platform, place three plates and a kalash filled with water. Arrange the plates in this way: 1. Eleven lamps, 2. Kheel, batashe, sweets, clothes, ornaments, sandalwood paste, sindoor, kumkum, betel nut, and betel leaf, 3. Flowers, durva, rice, cloves, cardamom, saffron-camphor, turmeric-lime paste, fragrant items, incense, agarbatti, and one lamp.

The yajman should sit in front of these plates. Family members should sit on the left side of the yajman. If there are any guests or visitors, they should sit behind the yajman or the family members.

Brief Puja Vidhi

According to the Brahma Purana, the Amavasya Tithi that remains until midnight is considered the most auspicious for the worship of Mata Lakshmi. If Amavasya does not remain until midnight, then the Pradosh Vyapini Tithi should be chosen. Pradosh Kaal is considered especially auspicious for Mata Lakshmi Puja and Deepdaan.

For Diwali Puja, the Puja place should be decorated one day in advance, and all Puja items should be collected beforehand. If the preferences of Mata Lakshmi are kept in mind during the Puja, it is believed to increase auspiciousness. The colors red and pink are considered dear to Mata Lakshmi. Her favorite flowers are lotus and rose. Fruits also hold special importance in the Puja — coconut, custard apple, berries, pomegranate, and water chestnut are considered dear to Her. Any of these fruits may be offered during the Puja. Rice should be kept as the grain offering. Among sweets, sweets made with pure saffron, Halwa, Sheera, and Naivedya are considered suitable. To make the place of Mata Lakshmi fragrant, perfumes of kewra, rose, and sandalwood may be used.

For lighting lamps, cow ghee, groundnut oil, or sesame oil may be used. These are traditionally considered auspicious in Mata Lakshmi Puja. Other important Puja items include sugarcane, lotus seeds, raw turmeric, Bilva leaves, Panchamrit, Gangajal, a woollen asan, ornaments, cow dung, sindoor, and Bhojpatra.

Decorating the Puja Chowki

Arrange the following items on the Puja Chowki:

• Idols or images of Mata Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh Ji
• Two large earthen lamps
• A Kalash with a coconut placed on it, symbolizing Varun Dev
• Navagraha and Shodash Matrikas
• Account book, pen, and inkpot as symbolic items
• Cash box and Puja plates

The faces of the idols or images of Mata Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh Ji should be toward the east or west. Mata Lakshmi should be placed on the right side of Shri Ganesh Ji. The person performing the Puja should sit in front of the deities. Place the Kalash near Mata Lakshmi on a bed of rice. Wrap the coconut in a red cloth in such a way that its front portion remains visible, and place it on the Kalash. This Kalash is considered a symbol of Varun Dev.

Place two large lamps — fill one with ghee and the other with oil. Keep one lamp on the right side of the Chowki and the other near the feet of the deities. Also place one lamp near Shri Ganesh Ji.

In front of the main Chowki where the deities are placed, keep a smaller Chowki and spread a red cloth over it. Make nine small heaps of rice representing the Navagraha, and toward the side of Shri Ganesh Ji, make sixteen heaps representing the Shodash Matrikas. Draw a Swastik between them. Place a betel nut in the center and make small heaps of rice at all four corners. Write “Om” at the top.

In front of the smaller Chowki, place three plates and a Kalash filled with water. Keep the following items in the plates:

• Eleven lamps
• Kheel, batashe, sweets, clothes, ornaments, sandalwood, sindoor, kumkum, betel nut, and betel leaf
• Flowers, durva, rice, cloves, cardamom, saffron-camphor, turmeric-lime paste, fragrant items, incense, agarbatti, and one lamp

The person performing the Puja should sit in front of these plates. Family members should sit on the left side, and guests or visitors should sit behind.

Brief Method of Puja

Take a little water in your hand from the Puja water vessel and sprinkle it over the idols or images. While doing this, chant the mantra below. By sprinkling this sanctified water, purify yourself, the Puja materials, and your sitting place.

Now purify the place on the ground where you have spread your asan. Bow to Mother Earth and chant the following mantra:

Now bow to Mother Earth and purify the Puja place. After this, perform Achaman:

Worship of Shri Ganesh Ji

Every Puja begins with the worship of Shri Ganesh Ji. First, take flowers in your hand, meditate upon Shri Ganesh Ji, and chant this mantra:

Now bathe Shri Ganesh Ji with Panchamrit and offer Him clothes, sandalwood, sindoor, durva, and Belpatra. After this, offer sweets and Naivedya, and perform Achaman.

Worship of Mata Lakshmi Ji

While meditating upon Mata Lakshmi Ji, chant the following mantra:

After this, bathe Mata Lakshmi Ji and offer Her red clothes, ornaments, and fragrant perfume. Perform Anga Puja, Ashta Siddhi Puja, and Ashta Lakshmi Puja. Finally, offer Naivedya to Mata Lakshmi Ji and perform Aarti.

After the Puja, place all the lamps in different areas of the house and pray to Mata Lakshmi Ji for happiness, prosperity, and abundance.