Diwali or Deepavali comes two days after Dhanteras, the colorful festival of lights or Deepotsav, and extends for five days period. Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, visits devotees’ homes, and lights, and blesses them with peace, wealth, and all-around 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 of Diwali Puja consist of Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Annakut, Bhaiya Dooj, or Yam Dwitiya.
Mahurat for Lakshmi Kuber Puja/Diwali Dhanteras Puja 2022
Dhanteras, also known as Dhanatrayodashi, the first day of Deepavali Utsav is considered a very auspicious and prosperous festival for starting a new business.
People enjoy Diwali and Dhanteras festivals by purchasing gold and silver coins, jewelry, kitchen items and cars.
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, which is on Sunday, October 23, 2022, Muhurat is from 05:32 PM to 05:59 PM
Duration is 00 Hours 27 Minutes.
Yama Deepam
Yama Deepam is the other name of Dhanteras which will be on Sunday, October 23, 2022
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 is 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).
Chant the following Mantra for worshiping Kuber and Dhanwantari:
1) Om Shri Kuberaya Namah!
Aem Pujanam Shri Dhana adhyaksh-Shri Kuber Priyatam!
Namo Namah!
2) Om Dhan Dhanwantari Namaha !
Kali Chaudas/ Narak Chaturdashi/ Roop Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali
The second day happens to be Kali Chaudas/ Narak Chaturdashi (Roop Chaturdashi) or Chhoti Diwali. It will be on Monday, October 24, 2022, as Kali Chaudas/ Narak Chaturdashi (Roop Chaturdashi) or Chhoti Diwali.
Hindus perform it by taking a bath early in the morning before sunrise. The demon Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna, Satyabhama, and Kali on this day.
Diwali Dhanteras Puja, the five day festival of lights
Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness. The auspicios day Diwali or Deepawali happens on Kartik Amavasya, the day for worshippng Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha.
The other name of Diwali is Deepotsava, also happens on Monday, 24, 2022 as Solar eclipse takes place on October 25, 2022.
Shubha Muhurat for Diwali Puja 2022
Lakshmi Puja on Monday, November 24, 2022
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat – 06: 53 PM to 08:16 PM, IST, on Monday.
Duration – 01 Hour 23 Mins.
Most auspicious Puja Muhurat:
Pradosh Kaal – 05: 43 PM to 08:16 PM
Vrishabha Kaal – 06: 53 PM to 08:48 PM
Auspicious Choghadiya Puja Muhurat
05:53 PM to 07:18 PM.
Govardhan Puja or Annakut 2022
Govardhan Puja or Annakut comes on the next day of Deepavali or Diwali. This is Bali Pratipada. This puja falls on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
People observe the fourth festival, Govardhan Puja (Annakut) in honor of Lord Krishna, falls on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, this year. Those who have cows and bulls for cultivation perform this Puja.
Gujarati new year
Gujarati new year or Deepavali Padwa, which is also known as Bali Padwa, happens on Govardhan Puja is a special day for the married couple.
Bhaiya Dooj or Yam Dwitiya 2022
The fifth-day festival is Bhatru-Dwitiya or Bhau Beej, or Bhaiya Dooj or Yam Dwitiya. It is the last day of the five-day festival and will be on Thursday, October 27, 2022. Its popular name is Bhai Phota in the 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.
Sisters invite brothers to their house for having special food and sweets, prepared at home after doing Tilak on the brother’s forehead with Roli. Brothers give gifts to their sisters.
Shubha Muhurat for Bhai Dooj or Bhai Duj on Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time – 01:12 PM to 03:27 PM, IST
Duration – 02 Hours 14 Mins.
Dwitiya Tithi ends – 12: 45 PM on Nov 27, 2022
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 people of all religions. It is celebrated throughout India and in different parts of the world for different reasons by Hindus, Jain, Sikhs, and Buddhists.
Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness. People celebrate this festival every year between mid-October and mid-November on Kartik Amavasya. This drives away darkness and sorrow and invites the light as a symbol of hope, happiness, and prosperity.
Kali Puja
People observe this day as Kali Puja, in West Bengal and Odisha, which happens on Monday, October 24, 2022.
The best time or Muhurat to perform Puja
The best time or Muhurat to perform Puja of Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha (mother and son) is in the evening or at 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 sign (Sthir-Lagna).
Method and items required for Diwali Puja
Worship Lord Ganesha, who is the Vighnaharta, who is the remover of all the obstacles, then worship both Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha, mother and the son together.
Take five or seven lamps (Diya) made with clay, fill with Ghee (butter oil), and Soak cotton wicks in it and put in the lamps (Diya).
Place Lakshmi and Ganesha’s idols on a small wooden table along with the silver coin. Light Dhoop and incense sticks in front of Lakshmi and Ganesha. Perform prayers and invite her to come and sit in their house.
Worship Lakshmi and Ganesh with lotus and other fresh flowers. Assume dress as Vastra made from the piece of Moli. Perform Puja rituals with Moli, Roli, sandalwood powder, turmeric, Akshata (unbroken rice), and scent (Itra), and Arti Deepak. Offer Jal and Bhoga.
Bhoga and Prasad
Offer Jal Patra (holy water filled in a vessel), Naivedya, or Bhoga in the form of sweets.
Offer Fresh fruits, dry fruits, Mishri, Makhana, sweet Batashe- Kheel, Dhan- lai(Mudi or Kurmure) made from paddy. Also offer eleven betel leaves(paan), betel nuts(Supari) cloves, and cardamom to the deity.
Offer Dakshina after bathing the deity (idols) first with Panchamrit, then with pure water.
Chant Mantra
Chant Mantra, soak cotton wicks in ghee (purified butter), light Deepak, Dhup and camphor with the flame, (Aarti lamp or Aarthi lamp), circulate around the deities.
Aarti
Sing Aarti or devotional songs praising Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi to please the deities. Finally, Then offer Jal 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 festivals which is a major shopping period for those who celebrate Diwali in India, Nepal, and abroad, as well.
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., and 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
