During Diwali people worship Goddess Lakshmi. It is based on the belief that Goddess Lakshmi visits everyone during Diwali and brings peace and prosperity to all. On the occasion of Diwali, ‘Lakshmi-puja’ is performed in the evening. People are invited to attend the puja and sweets are distributed. Traditionally, five pieces of earthen lamps are lit in front of the deities.
In many parts of India, Diwali is synonymous with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. The practice differs from region to region. In the North, Lord Rama is worshipped with great reverence during Diwali. In Bengal, Goddess Kali is worshipped during Diwali. Hence, the rituals differ from place to place. On Diwali day, people get up before sunrise and offer Aarati (offerings to the image of God in the form of fire). Then they take bath with oil, turmeric paste and fragrant powders. In villages, cattle are worshipped by farmers. In South India, cows are venerated as they are considered to be the incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi.
In some parts of South, the victory of divine over the evil is celebrated in a peculiar manner. People wake up before sunrise, break a bitter fruit that symbolizes the head of the demon King Naraka that was smashed by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama. They then add vermilion in oil and apply the paste on their foreheads. The ritual in Orissa consists of calling upon the spirits of the family’s forefathers. Jute stems are burnt to light up the dark path trodden up on by the spirits of ancestors on their way to heaven. In Maharashtra, a custom prevails in which coriander seeds are pounded with jaggery and offered to cattle.
The puja process begins with the cleaning of the puja room. Each deity is bathed with water and then with rose water, followed by water once more. Next, the lamps are put in front of the deities and lighted. Panchamrita is prepared with five ingredients – milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey. A few sweets, snacks and fruits are placed as Prasadam. Offerings of flowers, turmeric, vermilion, and incense sticks (agarbathi) and lamps filled with oil are also placed in front of the deity.
These items, along with Dakshina (token money) are offered to the Goddess. The money is later distributed among the poor. Betel leaves, betel nuts, cloves and cardamom are offered later. After this, people pray to Goddess to bless them. During Lakshmi puja, people place lotus and other flowers at the feet of the deity as offering. A silver coin is also placed in front of Goddess Lakshmi at the time of the puja. Aarati with flowers is performed and people sing songs in praise of the Goddess.
Puja of Lord Ganesha is a must before any other puja is taken up. During Ganesha puja, vermilion is placed on the forehead of God’s image and flowers are offered. Aarati song is sung. Following the pujas, Prasadam is distributed among all present there. Gifts are also given to associates. Businessmen give gifts to their employees. The puja is followed by the burning crackers. The elders guide the youngsters in burning crackers safely. Burning crackers and lamps light up the sky and fill the atmosphere with gaiety.
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