UtshovDiwali
The festival of lights. Homes glow with diyas to welcome Maa Lakshmi on the darkest night of Kartik.
Katha
Diwali falls on the Amavasya of Kartik, the darkest night of the month. Families clean and decorate their homes, draw rangoli at the door and light rows of diyas so that Maa Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, feels welcome.
The festival also remembers Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years in exile, when the people lit the whole city to greet him. In Bengal and Odisha the same night is celebrated as Kali Puja.
Puja vidhi
- Clean and decorate: Clean the puja space and draw rangoli at the entrance.
- Prepare the chowki: Spread a red cloth on a raised platform facing east or north.
- Place Maa Lakshmi and Ganesha: Keep Lakshmi on the right and Ganesha on the left.
- Set up the kalash: Fill it with water, add mango leaves and place a coconut on top.
- Light the diya: Light the main ghee diya and incense sticks.
- Offer kumkum and akshat: Apply tilak and offer rice, flowers and a lotus.
- Offer bhog: Offer sweets, fruits and dry fruits.
- Aarti and mantra: Sing the Lakshmi aarti and chant the mantra 108 times.
- Light the home: Place diyas at the door, windows and in every room.
Samagri
- Clay diyas (11 pieces)
- Ghee or mustard oil (250 ml)
- Cotton wicks (1 pack)
- Kumkum and haldi (Small box each)
- Akshat (whole rice) (1 cup)
- Marigold garland (2 garlands)
- Lotus flower (1 or more)
- Coconut (1 whole)
- Kalash (Copper or brass)
- Sweets and fruits (For bhog)
Aarti and mantra
- Om Jai Lakshmi Mata: Lakshmi aarti
- Jai Ganesh Deva: Ganesh aarti
- Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah: Chant 108 times
