Diwali or Deepavali, the colorful festival of lights or Deepotsav, comes two days after Dhanteras, extends for five days period. Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, visits devotees homes, lighted, blesses with peace, wealth, fertility and all round prosperity.
People invite and worship Goddess Lakshmi to visit their homes on Kartik Amavasya, the night of Diwali. That is why they keep burning lights and Diyas all through the night of Diwali.
Auspicious five days for Diwali or Deepavali Utsav
Five days Diwali Puja consists of Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Diwali, Govardhan Puja or Annakut, Bhaiya Dooj or Yam Dwitiya.
Mahurat for Lakshmi Kuber Puja/ Dhanteras Puja 2022
Dhanteras, also known as Dhanatrayodashi, the first day of Deepavali Utsav is considered very auspicious and prosperous festival for starting a new business. People purchase gold and silver coins or jewelry and kitchen items on Dhanteras.
The first day of five days long Diwali festival is celebrated as Dhanteras or Lakshmi Kuber Puja for prosperity and wealth, which generally comes just two days before Diwali.
Dhanteras Puja will be celebrated on Sunday, October 23, 2022.
Dhanteras Puja on Sunday, October, 23, 2022
Dhanteras Puja Muhurat is from 05:32 PM to 05:59 PM
Duration is 00 Hours 27 Minutes
Yama Deepam is on Friday, November 13, 2020
Pradosh Kaal Puja- 05:28 PM to 08:07 PM
Vrishabha Kaal Puja – 05:32 PM to 07:27 PM
Trayodashi Tithi begins – 09:30 PM on Nov 12, 2020
Trayodashi Tithi ends – 05:59 PM on Nov 13, 2020.
You should worship the idol of Kuber, Kuber Yantra and also the place where you keep the money, with the auspicious sign Swastika made with Sindur and Ghee, especially in the north direction.
People worship Dhanwantari, the God of medicines or treatment on Dhanteras.
The list of things you need for Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber Puja are as follows:
Kuber Yantra, or idol of Kuber and Lakshmi, Sindur and Ghee for Swastik, Sandal, Akshat, flowers, Dhoop, Deepak (Diya) with four cotton wicks, filled with mustard oil and a vessel filled with Jal (water).
Following Mantra should be chanted for worshiping Kuber and Dhanwantari:
1) Om Shri Kuberaya Namah!
Aem Pujanam Shri Dhana adhyaksha-Shri Kuber Priyatam !
Namo Namah !
2) Om Dhan Dhanwantari Namaha !
Kali Chaudas/ Narak Chaturdashi/ Roop Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali
The second day is celebrated on as Kali Chaudas or Narak Chaturdashi (Roop Chaturdashi) or Chhoti Diwali. It will be celebrated on Monday, October 24, 2022, as Kali Chaudas or Narak Chaturdashi (Roop Chaturdashi) or Chhoti Diwali.
It is performed by taking a bath early in the morning before the sunrise. The demon Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna, Satyabhama, and Kali on this day.
Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of lights
Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness. The third day is celebrated as Diwali on Kartik Amavasya, Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshiped.
Deepavali or Diwali is also known as Deepotsava, will be celebrated this year on Lakshmi Puja day, Monday, 24, 2022.
Shubha Muhurat for Diwali Puja 2022:
Lakshmi Puja on Monday, November 24, 2022
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat – 05:37 PM to 07:33 PM, IST
Duration – 01 Hour 56 Mins
Most auspicious Puja Muhurat:
Pradosh Kaal – 05:36 PM to 08:14 PM
Vrishabha Kaal – 05:37 PM to 07:33 PM
Amavasya Tithi begins on Nov 14, 2020 at 02:17 PM, ends at 10:36 AM on Nov 15, 2020
Auspicious Choghadiya Puja Muhurat
08:54 PM to 10:33 PM
Amrita Muhurat- Best time:
10:33 PM Nov. to 12:12 AM, Nov. 15
Pradosh Kaal Muhurat and Vrishabha Kaal Muhurat/ Diwali Puja
Pradosh Kaal: 17:53 to 20:39 IST
Vrishabha Kaal: 18:46 to 20:30 IST
Most auspicious Puja Muhurat:
Pradosh Kaal Ganesha and Lakshmi Puja Muhurta in Vrishabha Kaal Lagna Muhurat will be from 18:46 to 20:37, IST.
Choghadiya Puja Muhurat
Auspicious Choghadiya Muhurat for Diwali Lakshmi Puja
Morning Muhurta (Chara, Labh, Amrit): from 08:56 – 12:46
Afternoon Muhurta (Shubh): from 14:03 – 15:20
Evening Muhurta (Shubh, Amrit, Chara): from 17:53 – 23:03
Govardhan Puja or Annakut 2022
Govardhan Puja or Annakut comes on the next day of Deepavali or Diwali. This is also known as Bali Pratipada. It will be celebrated this year on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
This fourth festival is observed as Govardhan Puja (Annakut) in honour of Lord Krishna, Those who have cows and bulls for cultivation perform this Puja.
This Tithi is also celebrated as Gujarati new year and Bali Pratipada or Deepavali Padwa, It is considered a special day for the married couple.
Bhaiya Dooj or Yam Dwitiya 2022
The fifth day festival is Bhatru-Dwitiya or Bhau Beej, also known as Bhaiya Dooj or Yam Dwitiya, is the last day of the five-day festival, will be observed on Thursday, October 27, 2022. It is also known as Bhai Phota in eastern states of India.
On Bhaiya Dooj or Bhau Beej, sisters invite their brothers for a feast and perform Puja and special rituals for the long life, safety and well- being of their brothers. Brothers are invited at sister’s house for having special food and sweets, prepared at home afterdoing Tilak on brother’s forehead with Roli. Gifts are also given to sisters and brothers.
Shubha Muhurat for Bhai Dooj or Bhai Duj on Thursday, October 27, 2022
Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time – 01:16 PM to 03:26 PM, IST
Duration – 02 Hours 10 Mins
Dwitiya Tithi begins – 07:06 AM on Nov 16, 2020
Dwitiya Tithi ends – 03:56 AM on Nov 17, 2020
For businessmen, Diwali is the beginning of a new year (financial) according to Hindu Vikram Samvat calendar in some regions of India.
Significance of Diwali or Deepavali
The festival of lights Diwali or Deepavali creates an atmosphere of joy for the people of all the religions. It is celebrated throughout India and in different parts of the world for different reasons by Hindus, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhists.
Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness. People celebrate this festival every year between the mid- October and the mid- November on Kartik Amavasya. This drives away darkness and sorrow and invite the light as a symbol of hopes, happiness, and prosperity.
Kali Puja
In West Bengal and Odisha, this day is celebrated as Kali Puja, happens on Monday, November 24, 2022.
Method and items required for Diwali Puja
Vighnaharta Lord Ganesha who is the remover of all the obstacles is worshiped first, then both Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshiped together.
Puja of Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha (mother and son) is performed in the evening or the night during the immovable or fixed ascendantRising of a zodiac sign on the eastern horizon at the time of birth, placed in horoscope of a native, as 1st house is most important in calculation and prediction More sign(Sthir-Lagna).
Five or seven lamps (Diya) made with clay are filled with Ghee(butter oil), cotton wicks soaked in it are put in the lamps(Diya).
Dhoop and incense sticks are lit in front of Lakshmi and Ganesha’s idols placed on a small wooden table along with the silver coin. Devotees pray her to come and sit in their house.
People worship Lakshmi and Ganesh with lotus and other fresh flowers, an assumed dress(Vastra made from the piece of Moli), Roli, sandalwood powder, turmeric, Akshata (unbroken rice), scent (Itra).
Jal Patra (holy water filled in a vessel), Naivedya or Bhoga are offered in the form of sweets.
Fresh fruits, dry fruits, Mishri, Makhana, Batasa, Kheel, Dhan lai(Mudi or Kurmure) made from paddy, eleven betel leaves(paan), betel nuts(Supari) cloves and cardamom are also offered to the deity.
Dakshina is offered after bathing the deity (idols) first with Panchamrit, then with pure water.
Mantra is chanted, cotton wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter), Dhup and camphor is lighted with the flame, known as Aarti lamp or Aarthi lamp, offered by circulating around the deities.
Aarti or devotional songs praising Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are sung to please the deities. Finally, Jal is offered around the Aarti lamp (Diya)
Now it is time to place Diya or candles both in different parts of the house and outside the house, as well.
Sprinkle the holy Jal of the vessel in the whole house for blessings. Now have Prasad and enjoy sweets, fireworks, and crackers with your family members.
Diwali one of the happiest festival is known as a major shopping period for those who celebrate Diwali in India, Nepal and abroad.
People renovate and decorate their housesThese are twelve sections of zodiac circle having 360° numbered clockwise Ascendant is known as the first house and the last house is known as the twelfth house Each house represents specific traits used for prediction. More, purchase luxury items, new clothes, gold and silver coins, and precious jewelry. They purchase gifts, dry fruits and sweets to exchange with their friends and relatives.
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
