Diwali – From 28 th October to 2nd November 2024

As soon as the various Vrats of Shravan, festivals – Ganeshotsav in Bhadrapad, Navaratri in Ashwin, and Dussehra are over, we look forward to celebrating Diwali. Diwali ! With the mere utterance of this word, our mind becomes happy, our excitement starts to build up and we begin to dream of buying new clothes, etc. Diwali is like a congregation of different festivals. Diwali is the festival of lights. A lamp or a flame are symbols of light. Light overcomes darkness. This is not mere darkness; ignorance and superstition are also forms of darkness. The aim of Diwali is to light the lamp of knowledge to overcome this ignorance. Let us get an overview of this festival.

Vasu Baras (Govatsa Dwadashi – 28th October)

In our Hindu culture, the festival of Diwali begins with the worship of a cow, whom we consider to be a Deity. This day is also known as Govatsa Dwadashi. On this day, Savats Dhenu i.e. a cow and her calf are worshipped. Savats Dhenu is a form of Mother Earth. Vasu means Earth. We dwell on Her; hence, it is a day to express gratitude unto Her. It shows affection, love and intimacy.

Gurudwadashi is also celebrated on this day. Three tithis (lunar days) – Gurupurnima, Gurupratipada and Gurudwadashi are celebrated every year in memory of the Gurus, who preached the path of worldly, transcendental and spiritual upliftment to entire mankind. The aim of these celebrations is to express respect for the Guru. It is customary to perform a 7-day reading of the Gurucharitra in such a way that it ends on Gurudwadashi.

On the day of Vasu Baras, hang a sky lantern and worship it by reciting the following shloka :

दामोदरायनभसितुलायांदोलयासह ।

प्रदीपंतेप्रयच्छामिनमोऽनन्तायवेधसे ।।

Meaning : I offer this lamp with a flame hanging on a stick in the sky to the Supreme God – Damodar (Narayan). I offer Namaskar unto that Anant.

This sky lantern should be put up till Devadiwali.

Dhanteras (29th October)

A. Deepadan & Yamadeepdan : Dhanteras is celebrated on the day of Ashwin Krushna Trayodashi. It is customary to perform Yamadeepdan on this day to prevent untimely death in the family. Light an oil lamp made of clay in the evening with its flame towards the south and worship it with sandalwood paste, haldi-kumkum (Turmeric and red powder made from turmeric), Akshata (Unbroken rice grains, smeared with kumkum), flowers, frankincense, Naivedya (Food offered to the Deity as part of ritualistic worship) and recite the following shloka.

मृत्युना पाशदण्डाभ्यांकालेनश्यामयासह ।

त्रयोदश्यांदीपदानात्सूर्यजःप्रीयतांमम ।।

Meaning : May Yamadev, the son of Sun Deity, who holds the noose and the rod, who is the controller of Time and is escorted by Goddess Syamala, be pleased with this Deepadan performed on the day of Trayodashi.

Pray thus and perform Yamadeepadan. Additionally, worship ornaments, valuables and treasure the Deities such as Shri Vishnu-Lakshmi, Kuber, Yogini, Nag.

B. Worshipping books of accounts : Dhantrayodashi is very important especially for the business community. Their New Year begins on Dhantrayodashi when all small and big traders worship their books of accounts. After completing the calculations of the previous year, worship of new books to be used in the New Year is done. A beautiful union of business and Spirituality has been achieved through the worship of wealth and offering of lamps to Deity Yama.

C. Worship of Dhanavantari : Dhanavantari Jayanti is also celebrated on this day. This day is a day to remember and express gratitude to the Primal Deity Dhanavantari, the Creator of various medicines that destroy all diseases and provide health; the remover of people’s fear of disease, old age and death and to whom not only humans, but all Gods and demons always pay obeisance.

When this mantra of Deity Dhanavantari is recited regularly, all the doshas (A dosha, according to Ayurveda, is one of three – Vata, Pitta and Kapha – fundamental bio-elements) in our body disappear and one gets health and peace of mind. The fear of death disappears.

– Mrs Pragya Kulkarni, Dombivali, Maharashtra. (Courtesy : Adimata Deepawali Special Issue)

Lakshmi Pujan (1st November)

Reason for celebrating Deepotsav in Jainism

The 24^th Tirthankar of Jains told His disciples, “There is no difference between birth and death; hence, celebrate the day of my death in the same manner as my birthday”. Bhagawan Mahavir renounced His body on the day of Ashwin Amavasya. Deepotsav was celebrated on that day as per His wish. In Jains, that practice of Deepotsav is followed even today.

– Prof. Ravindra Dhamapurkar, Malvan, District Sindhudurg, Maharashtra.

The worst suffering one can face in this world is poverty. To avoid this suffering, earn wealth with zeal, justice and constant hard work. We should worship Dhana Lakshmi earned through our own efforts with gratitude and pray to Her to stay in the house continuously. All this pomp, splendour and display of worship is to welcome Mahalakshmi, who originated from the churning of the ocean. It has been mentioned in history and the Puranas that the significance of this day increased as the Pandavs returned safely after their exile. Hence, we also celebrate the day of Lakshmi Pujan with double enthusiasm.

1. Where does Goddess Shri Lakshmi reside ?

When Goddess Rukmini asked Goddess Lakshmi where does She reside, She replied :

A. O’ Subhaga ! I reside near the mature, dutiful, angerless devotee and grateful individual who has control over his senses and is strong. – Mahabharat, 13.11.6

B. I dwell where strong men who abide by their Dharma, understand Dharma, serve the elderly, are self-restrained, pure, forgiving, dwell near forgiving and self-restrained women. – Mahabharat, 13.11.10

C. I live near virtuous women who are benevolent to others and adorned with ornaments. – Mahabharat, 13.11.14

An image of Mahalakshmi should be placed on Ganapati’s right side during the worship. Draw Ashtadalkamal (A rangoli pattern) with saffron mixed with sandalwood and place Dhanalakshmi on it. Perform Shodashopachar (16 step) pujan of all Deities by lighting an oil lamp and pray.

“You are the flame, You are the sun, the moon, the lightning, the fire and the stars. Obeisance to Diwali, who is the flame of all the flames.”

Perform Arati of Shri Lakshmi after the prayer.

– Mrs Vasudha G Paranjape, Pune, Maharashtra (Courtesy : Magazine ‘Adimata’, Diwali Special Issue, Year 1)

2. Why is Lakshmi Pujan performed ?

Lakshmi Pujan happens to be on the day of Ashwin Krushna Amavasya. The mighty King Bali used all His valour and imprisoned all the Gods. He also imprisoned Shri Vishnu’s wife Lakshmi. Hence, Shri Vishnu took the form of Vaman, demanded 3 steps of land from King Bali and pushed him into Patal (Hell). He then rescued all the Gods and Shri Lakshmi. This day happens to be Ashwin Krushna Amavasya. Everyone was overjoyed as Shri Lakshmi and all the Deities were freed. Everyone requested Shri Vishnu – ‘Let Shri Lakshmi dwell in every home’. As an eternal remembrance of this day, all worship Shri Lakshmi in every house. Merchants review their accounts and worship Shri Lakshmi. Lakshmi Pujan is to be performed during Pradosh, meaning, in the evening.

3. The nature of Lakshmi Pujan

On the day of Ashwin Amavasya, instate Shri Lakshmi on a small white mattress. Keep a cylindrical pillow behind the Idol/photo of Shri Lakshmi on the white mattress. Worship the Goddess with puffed rice and battasa. Offer Her Naivedya of white sweets such as barfi, basundi, etc. Pray thus – ‘O’ Goddess ! Settle in my house’. Call married women and offer them haldi-kumkum. Offer them oti (Ritual of offering a saree and/or a blouse piece to the Goddess or to a married woman), puffed rice & battasas. This is the nature of Lakshmi Pujan.

4. Reason underlying the Deepotsav

Lamps should be lit everywhere on the day of Ashwin Amavasya. On this day, Shri Lakshmi and Her elder sister Alakshmi come to Earth on an eagle from Heaven and roam around. Wherever there is light, Alakshmi, the Goddess of poverty, does not enter, but wherever there is darkness, She enters and resides forever. Wherever light appears, Shri Lakshmi enters and dwells forever; hence, on this day Deepotsav should be performed by lighting lamps and lanterns in front of and within the house. We have to ensure that Shri Lakshmi settles in our house. The day Deity Shriram returned to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile, was Ashwin Amavasya. The people of Ayodhya celebrated to welcome Shriram, who had killed Ravan and His victory in a battle, with Deepotsav. Lighting lamps during Diwali reminds us of that event.

– Prof. Ravindra Dhamapurkar

Ignorance & superstition are forms of darkness. The purpose of Diwali is to light the lamp of knowledge to overcome ignorance !