Diwali Rituals and Puja

Posted on August 13, 2007 in Diwali Puja Rituals

What are the Rituals Associated With the Festival?

Diwali also known as the festival of lights is a major festival for the Hindus and is celebrated with a great deal of enthusiasm all over India. Diwali celebrations last for five days with each day marked by distinctive rituals and pujas.


The first day of Diwali known as Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The word “Dhan” implies wealth and hence this day is of immense significance for the wealthy business class of Western India.


Rituals on opening day

As part of the ritual associated with the day, houses as well as business establishments are refurbished and decorated. Intricate traditional motifs of Rangoli designs adorn the doorways to hail the arrival of Lakshmi, the goddess of opulence and prosperity. To signify her long-anticipated arrival, miniature footprints are represented with rice flour and vermilion powder in all parts of the household. Lamps are lit and are made to burn throughout the nights. Women consider the day to be propitious and buy some gold or silver and even if they are not in a position to buy expensive ornaments they make it a point buy new utensils.


Puja

Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in the evenings and small clay diyas are lit to dispel the evil forces. “Bhajans” or religious songs glorifying goddess Laxmi are sung and “Naivedya” of conventional sweets is offered to the goddess.


The second day of Diwali is known as Narak-Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali. The day commemorates the triumph of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura, also known as the demon of filth. After vanquishing Narakasura Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the blood of the slain demon. Krishna returned home early in the morning and the women folk massaged scented oil on his body and gave him a bath to clean his body of filth. Since then the ritual of taking bath before sunrise has become common in India particularly in Maharastra. In South India the triumph of the divine over the ordinary is commemorated in a very unique manner. People get up before sunrise and make blood by mixing Kumkum in oil and after smashing a bitter fruit that is symbolic of the head of the demon King that was battered by Krishna, smear that mixture on their foreheads. After this they take an oil bath using sandalwood paste.


On the third day of Diwali which falls on the dark new moon night the doorways to all homes are lit and adorned with rangoli designs to greet goddess Lakhmi, the embodiment of wealth and opulence.


On this day Lakshmi Puja is performed. Diwali is the concluding day of financial year in conventional Hindu business and merchants perform Chopda Pujan on this day on the fresh books of accounts. The day concludes with a grand display of fireworks.


The fourth day of Diwali is known as the New Year day or Bestavarsh. The day subsequent to Lakshmi Puja, the majority of families commemorate the New Year by donning new clothes and by wearing jewellery. They pay visits to family members and business colleagues and offer them sweets, dry fruits as well as gifts. For the business communities in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Diwali marks the commencement of a new business year. Every business house and family performs muharat pujan or worship of their books of accounts.


The fifth day of Diwali is referred to as Bhai Dhooj. On this day brothers pay a visit to the houses of their sister to celebrate Bhaiyaduj. On Bhai Dooj, sisters apply a mark on the forehead of their brothers to ensure their safety and long life.

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