Diwali 2019: Laxmi Ganesha Muhurat & Puja vidhi

From ancient times, Deepawali is considered as the most important & auspicious festival in the country. The festival of lights, firework displays, prayers, and events- Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartik. Derived from a Sanskrit word "Deepawali", Diwali is a word which means a row or set of lights. The festival is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains for a variety of reasons, although the main theme which runs throughout is the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

While Diwali is primarily a Hindu festival, people from other religions too celebrate this festival with equal enthusiasm. The Best Diwali celebration in India varies from religion to religion, but the excitement and the festive spirit remains the same throughout. The kind smile and an accommodating heart melt even the hardest of hearts. It is a time when people blend in joy and embrace one another.

The Diwali 2019 Date in India is the 27th of October 2019.

Why do we celebrate Diwali?

The main reason to celebrate Diwali is the success of Lord Rama over Ravana. After killing Ravana, the King of Lanka, and completing his 14 years of exile, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya along with his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana. The People of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama by lighting Diyas and Lamps. From then onwards, fireworks and Diyas have come to symbolize the festival. On this day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi, as she is considered as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Her origin lies in the Samudra Manthan. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi came to be associated with Diwali because many people perform Lakshmi Puja on the festival to receive wealth and prosperity.

The story behind Diwali

It is since ancient times that Diwali has been celebrated. Different people believe different events to be the reason behind this festival. According to holy Ramayan, Rama the Prince of Ayodhya was directed by his father, King Dasharatha, to go away from his country and come back after living in the forest for fourteen years. Lord Rama, being an obedient son respected his father’s wishes and went on exile with his loving wife Sita and devoted brother Lakshmana.

When Ravana, the devil king of Lanka abducted Sita and took her away to his island kingdom of Lanka, Rama fought against his forces and killed Ravana. He rescued Sita and returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years. The people of Ayodhya were very glad to hear of their beloved prince’s homecoming. To celebrate Rama’s return to Ayodhya, they lit up their houses with beautiful Lamps (Diyas) and decorated the entire city in the grandest manner.

Another story related to Diwali history is narrated in the other Hindu story, "Mahabharata", that explains to us how the five royal brothers, the Pandavas, suffered a failure from the hands of their brothers, the Kauravas, in the game of dice (gambling).

As a rule, forced on them the Pandavas had to serve a term of 13 years in exile. When the period was over, they returned to their birthplace Hastinapura on "Kartik Amavasya" (the new moon day of Kartik month). The five Pandava brothers, their mother, and wife Draupadi were honest, kind, gentle and caring in their ways and were loved by all their subjects.

To celebrate this joyful occasion on their return to Hastinapura and to welcome back the Pandavas. The ordinary people illuminated their entire state by lighting bright earthen lamps in every corner. The tradition is believed to have been kept alive through the festival of Diwali, which many considered in remembrance of the Pandava brothers’ homecoming.

Significance of Diwali in Different Religions

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhism. They all celebrated Diwali for different reasons but they all symbolize the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and trust over despair.

• Diwali in Sikhism- This festival is celebrated to regard the release of the sixth guru of Sikhs - Guru Hargobind Singh from the Gwalior Fort, along with 52 other Hindu princes in 1619. When Emperor Jahangir accepted to release the Guru at the demand of the Sikhs, Guru announced that he would not leave without other captive princes. Then clever Jahangir declared that only those princes who would be able to hold the Guru while he is leaving the prison would be released along with him. Each prince held one string and thus, the Guru was successful in getting all the princes released. Sikhs celebrated this day by decorating & illuminating the Golden Temple. Also, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid on the day of Diwali in 1577.
• Diwali in Jainism- Festival of Diwali is considered important to the Jains as on this day Lord Mahavira (Last Jain Tirthankar) attained Nirvana. It is said that Mahavira attained Nirvana in the presence of several gods who enlightened Mahavira and eliminated darkness from his life. Also, Gandhara Gautam Swami (Chief disciple of Mahavira) gained Kevalgyan (complete Knowledge) on this auspicious day.
• Diwali in Buddhism- Buddhists celebrate Diwali to identify the conversion of emperor Ashoka to Buddhism on this day. The festival is known as Ashoka Vijayadashami among the Buddhists whereas, they celebrate it by praying and decorating the monasteries.

Significance of 5 Days of Diwali

Diwali is not just about lights, gambling, fun-filled surprises, and gifts. It is also a time to reflect on one’s life, past deeds and making the right changes for the upcoming year, where people give and forgive. It is a common tradition in Diwali for people to forget and forgive the injustices and grudges. People celebrate this festival with an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere.

A happy and refreshed mind during this beautiful day charges up a person to make changes like a healthy, ethical individual, who will be more efficient in his/her work and spiritually advanced. And, not to forget Diwali Festival Dates for 2019 this is rarely a day-long festival – the festival actually stretches for almost the whole week, with festivities lasting for 5 days.

• 1st Day- The first day of Diwali is called Dhanteras or Dhanvantari Trayodashi- 25 October. It signifies the official beginning of the Diwali festivities. This day has great importance as people consider this a very auspicious day and Muhurat to worship Goddess Laxmi and rever her to bless your life & home with her presence.
• 2nd Day- The second day of Diwali week is called the Kali Chaudas or Narak Chaturdasi- 27 October 2019. In some parts of India, it is called Choti Diwali, the day before Diwali. On Choti Diwali, people go to each other’s homes to wish and also exchange gifts and sweets.
• 3rd Day- The third day of these festivities is the actual festival of Diwali/ Deepawali- 27 October 2019. On this very day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord Ganesha. People light Diyas and candles in their homes. After worshipping Mahalakshmi in the evening with their families, people visit temples, gurudwaras and even churches to light candles.
• 4th Day- The fourth day is celebrated in different forms all across India. In the Western states of India like Gujarat, this day is celebrated with pomp & show as Bestu Varas, the New Year as per their Calendar. In the Northern states of India, this day is widely celebrated as Govardhan Pooja or Vishwakarma Day-(28 Oct). On this day people worship their instruments, arms, and machinery. This day is also called as Annakut.
• 5th Day- The fifth day of the Diwali festivities is celebrated as the Bhai Dooj or Bhai Beej-(29 Oct). This festival is for brothers and sisters. They celebrate it with full enjoyment and prepare sweets in honor of their brothers, wishing for a long, happy, healthy life and great success for them.

Diwali Laxmi Ganesha Pujan

On the day of Diwali, Lakshmi puja is performed in every Hindu household of the country. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth. The Lakshmi puja is done in the evening to invite Goddess Lakshmi at home. People pray and wish for peace, wealth and prosperity for their family.

Diwali Puja Vidhi

• Step 1: Purify your home
  Cleaning your house is very important during Diwali. One should clean every corner of his/her house to be able to welcome the Goddess of Prosperity in their home. After cleaning, sprinkle Gangajal water (holy water from river Ganga) to purify the surroundings.
• Step 2: Set up the puja platform
  In your puja place, spread a red cotton cloth on a table/stool and keep a handful of grains in the center.
• Step 3: Place statue of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for puja
  Place the statue of Goddess Lakshmi in the center and Lord Ganesha on the right side (South-West direction) of her. Take a small thali and make a small flat mountain of rice grains, draw a lotus flower with Haldi, put some coins and place it in front of the statue.
• Step 4: Apply tilak and light Diya
  Now apply tilak to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh and light Diyas. Apply tilak to Kalash also.
• Step 5: Recite Puja Mantra
  Keep some flower petals in your hands, join it in prayer mode, close your eyes and recite Diwali puja mantra. After prayer, offer the flower kept in your hands to Ganesha and Lakshmi.
• Step 6: Perform Lakshmi Aarti
  Now, take a Diya in a thali and perform the Laxmi Aarti.

The Hindu Puja is an age-old Vedic ritual that is carried out through prayers, songs, and correct Pujan Vidhi to ensure that the Lord smiles upon you.

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