Diwali

Diwali (Deepawali) is celebrated on the new moon day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. Diwali is a festival that is celebrated for five days. Dhanteras is celebrated on Trayodashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, Narak Chaturdashi on Chaturdashi, Diwali on Amavasya, Govardhan Puja on Pratipada which is also called Annakoot and Bhai Dooj is celebrated on Dwitiya. Thus this festival of Diwali lasts for a total of five days. On the day of Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi roams around the earth and visits the homes of her devotees and fills their homes with happiness and wealth. Therefore, everyone worships Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesh and Lord Kuber with full devotion.

Naraka Chaudas or Chhoti Diwali

Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated on Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. It is also known as Choti Diwali as it is celebrated a day before Diwali. By donating a lamp on Narak Chaudas one does not lead to untimely death. Entrance or sump ( drain through which water enters the house) lighting a mustard oil lamp near the place where dirty water flows out, gets the blessings of Lord Yamdev. The religious belief about Narak Chaturdashi is that on this day Lord Shri Krishna killed the demon named Narakasura and freed about sixteen thousand one hundred Female cowherds (Gopis) from the bondage of that evil demon, that is, Lord Shri Krishna saved the Gopis from hellish life. On this day, after sunset, a four-faced lamp is lit towards the south and prayers are offered to Lord Yamdev with folded hands. By doing this gets freedom from the fear of hell, the mind remains calm and there is no restlessness of any kind in the mind. lust, anger and greed are said to be the three gates of hell. By worshiping Lord Yamraj on this day, man becomes lust-less, anger-less and greed-less. Special care should be taken of cleanliness on this day because Diwali is celebrated on the dark night day of Kartik month and Goddess Lakshmi arrives, hence there should not be any kind of dirt in the house.

Diwali

Diwali is celebrated on the next day i.e. on the new moon day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. Mother (Mata) Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshiped on this day. It is said that on this day Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya with Mata Sita after conquering Lanka. The people of Ayodhya decorated the entire city and lit lamps to celebrate the arrival of the Lord Ram, on this day people decorate their houses and light lamps to celebrate the arrival of Lord Ram. It is a dark night on Diwali but everyone tries to ensure that there is no darkness in any corner of the house and there is light all around. Darkness is considered a symbol of evil and light is considered a symbol of goodness, hence one should try to ensure that there is no darkness in any corner of the house. It is believed that on the day of Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi comes to the house to bestow good luck and prosperity, hence on this day one should consume only simple food and avoid consuming tamsik (non-veg) food. On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, we should avoid gambling and alcohol consumption as it angers Goddess Lakshmi.

Method of worship

The puja is started in the evening on the new moon day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month by taking a bath etc. First of all, purify the place of worship by sprinkling Ganga water. Then place the stool (chauki) and spread a red cloth on it, after this keep the idols of Lord Ganesh Ji and Goddess Lakshmi Ji. Goddess Lakshmi should be installed on the right side of Lord Ganesha. Kalash is established in many places, if you wish, then to establish the Kalash, fill a Kalash with water mixed with Ganga water and put a piece of turmeric, a coin, a betel nut and Durva in it and fill rice in a bowl on top of it and place it at the mouth of the Kalash. But firstly cover it with mango leaves. If possible, make a Swastika in a coconut, wrap a Kalava on it and place it on the Kalash. Install the Kalash by putting some Akshat (rice) on the right side of the stool. Bathe Lord Ganesha and Mother Lakshmi with Panchamrit and Ganga water. Then offer tilak to Ganesh ji and Mata Lakshmi ji with Roli, show incense sticks and garland them. After this, offer fruits, sweets, flowers and naivedya, etc. to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Listen to the story of the glory of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. After the puja is over, other lamps should be filled with mustard oil and cotton wicks should be used to light the lamps at the main entrance, temple, house, river, garden, etc. On that day, one should apply color to the cow's horns, etc., give them grass and food and worship them by circling them.

Importance of worshiping Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi

On the day of Diwali, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are worshiped with full rituals. Mata Lakshmi is the goddess of opulence and glory. Therefore, worshiping them on the day of Diwali not only brings material happiness but also brings a lot of happiness to the house. Lord Ganesha is worshipable first of all, hence Lord Ganesha is always worshiped along with Goddess Lakshmi. People decorate their houses according to their capacity. Mata Lakshmi Ji enters only the house where there is cleanliness. That's why everyone pays special attention to the cleanliness of their homes. Performing puja on this day brings immense wealth to the house. Goddess Lakshmi ji loves Rangoli very much, hence you must make Rangoli at your main door. In our Sanatan culture the mango tree is considered a divine tree and the wood and leaves of the mango tree are used before starting all types of religious activities. Even on Diwali, you should put a fringe made of marigold flowers and mango leaves on the main entrance of the house and the main entrance of the puja room. Doing this is not only considered auspicious from the religious point of view but also according to Vastu, it attracts positive energy. Apart from this, you should worship as per your tradition.