 |
 Diwali
Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi Puja on Diwali is an integral part of the
Diwali celebrations. This day is also known by the name of
'Chopada-Puja'. Lakshmi-Puja is performed for the sole purpose of
propitiating Goddess Lakshmi and to thank Her for the bestowal of her
blessings on the humans. Lakshmi-Puja falls on the darkest night of
Amavasya, though with the help of innumerable lamps and diyas this
darkness is reduced to such an extent that it seems as if one is
celebrating Diwali in broad daylight.
Lakshmi Puja on Diwali is a major part of the Diwali celebration in
North and West India. According to the legend associated with Lakshmi
Puja, there once occurred the churning of ocean by the demons and the
deities in order to look for the 'amrit' or the 'drink of immortality'.
On this day Goddess Lakshmi manifested herself from the ocean and since
then Diwali began to be celebrated and Lakshmi Puja became an important
part of the Diwali celebrations in order to commemorate the Goddess
Lakshmi.
According to a common belief Goddess Lakshmi walks through the green
fields as well as the bye-lanes in order to shower her blessings on the
human race for peace, wealth and prosperity. Thus everyone is advised to
open the doors and the windows of their homes on the eve of Lakshmi
Puja.
Cleanliness forms another important part of the rituals of Lakshmi Puja
on Diwali. People try to keep their houses neat and clean on this day,
as Goddess Lakshmi is believed to like cleanliness and she visits the
cleanliest house first. Another ritual is of lighting the diyas and
lamps on the eve of Diwali in order to light up the path of Goddess
Lakshmi. Puja for five deities are included in the process of Lakshmi
Puja on Diwali. Foremost Lord Ganesha is worshipped in the beginning of
the Puja, then Goddess Lakshmi is revered through the Lakshmi Puja,
Mahasaraswati who is regarded to be the goddess of books and learning is
worshipped for gaining of knowledge and last but not the least Lord
Kubera who is the treasurer of the wealth of gods.
|