New Delhi: There is a definite autumn nip in the air that announces the onset of festivities and celebration across the country. The festival of light, also popular as Diwali is just a month away and people are gearing up to soak in the festive spirit. Celebrated on the new moon of Kartik month, Diwali will fall on November 4 this year.
Importance Of Diwali
The festival of Diwali is celebrated on the occasion of the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. It is said that on Lord Ram's return from exile, the people of Ayodhya lit up the black night of Amavasya by lighting ghee lamps. Since then this festival of Diwali is celebrated with great pomp across the country.
Not only this, Lord Ganesha and Lakshmi Mata are also worshiped on Diwali. It is believed that on Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi is pleased and showers money, hence Lakshmi Puja has special significance on Diwali.
Every year the conclusion of the harvest period coincides with the new moon between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali signifies spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”.
Auspicious Time For Lakshmi Puja
On this day, devotees also worship Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi was born on this day from the churning of the ocean, or the Samudra Manthan. Later, the Goddess married Lord Vishnu.
Timings of Puja
Amavasya Tithi starts - 4th November 2021 from 06:03 am
Amavasya Tithi ends - on 5th November 2021 till 02:44 am
According to Drik Panchang, the most auspicious time to perform Diwali Puja is after sunset as the time post-sunset is known as ‘pradosh’.
“The day of Diwali Puja is decided when Amavasya Tithi prevails during pradosh. Hence, no other Diwali puja muhurat is as good as puja muhurat during pradosh, even if it is available for one ghati (approximately 24 minutes),” states the portal.
Time: 06:09 pm to 08:20 pm
Pradosh Kaal- 17:34:09 PM to 20:10:27 PM
Vrshabh kaal - 18:10:29 PM to 20:06:20 PM
Rituals Of Puja
Firstly you need to take a vow of puja. Then you need to worship Lord Kuber, along with Lord Ganesha, Maa Lakshmi, Maa Saraswati on the day of Diwali.
Devotees chant Om Shri Shri Namah 11 times or one rosary. Devotees keep a single coconut or 11 Kamalgatte near Goddess Lakshmi and recite Goddess Suktam on this day.
Devotees offer Singhada, pomegranate, quince to Goddess Lakshmi. Sitaphal and sugarcane are also kept beside the deity. It is believed that Maa Lakshmi likes water chestnuts the most. Kesarbhaat, halwa, and kheer are offered to Goddess Lakshmi as bhog.