How to Diwali Puja
Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is the biggest and most important holiday in India. It is a celebration that involves lighting candles, oil lamps and fireworks. Hindus often regard Diwali as New Year's Eve, and the entire celebration lasts for five days. While it originated as a Hindu festival, it is also celebrated by non-Hindu communities. Lakshmi Puja, the main ritual that is held during the Diwali holiday, focuses on prayer and offerings to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity and wealth, followed by a feast and the setting off of fireworks. The ritual is done to seek the blessing of Lakshmi in the hope of good luck in the forthcoming year.
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Things You'll Need
- Water
- Rose water
- Statue of Lakshmi
- Statue of Ganesh
- Oil lamps
- Bowl
- Milk
- Cottage cheese
- Clarified butter
- Sugar
- Honey
- Flowers
- Abir
- Sindoor
- Haldi
- Incense sticks
- Firecrackers
Instructions
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1
Clean the room in which the ceremony will be performed. Bathe the statues of Lakshmi and Ganesh in water, then in rose water and then finally once more in water again.
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2
Mix together milk, cottage cheese, clarified butter, sugar and honey in a bowl. This creates a mixture that is called Panchamitra.
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3
Place the Panchamitra mixture in front of the statues of Lakshmi and Ganesh. Light the oil lamps and place them around the statues.
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4
Decorate the area around the statues with flowers and spices. Indian spices and powders traditionally used include abir, sindoor and haldi. Light incense sticks and place them around the statues.
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5
Make offerings of fruit, meat, candy, spices and money to Ganesh by placing the items in front of the statue. It is important that offerings are made to Ganesh first.
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6
Make offerings of fruit, meat, candy, spices and money to Lakshmi by laying them down at the base of the statue. It is customary to place a lotus flower and a silver coin in front of the statue of Lakshmi.
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7
Pray to the gods for their blessing after making these offerings. Leave the room and light firecrackers outside.
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Tips & Warnings
Prepare everything in advance of the evening of Diwali, so that you do not forget any of the things you will need.
Ensure the lighting of firecrackers at the end of the ceremony is done safely and under close supervision.
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
