Diwali Traditions

Posted on August 13, 2007 in Diwali Puja Rituals

What are the Traditions Associated with Diwali?

As you know, Diwali is a five-day long festival, where each day is dedicated to the worship of one deity. So, each day has its own significance in terms of the legends surrounding this festival. But since it is a religious festival, there are many pujas performed during these five days, which are as follows:

Lakshmi Puja:

This puja is performed on the third day of Diwali because on this day the goddess surfaced from the churning of the waters or samudra manthan. The goddess of wealth, Laxmi, is the most important of all deities worshipped at this time, particularly for the trading and business communities for whom this is the new business year. For everyone else, it is time to take stock of the year just gone by and to pray for better luck and opportunities for prosperity in the coming year. Lakshmi puja is usually performed after sunset where five earthen lamps are lit in front of the idols and sweets are offered to the goddess.

Kali Puja:

This puja marks the triumphs of good over evil and also celebrates the end of Goddess Kali’s ire and saving the world from disaster. This goddess is one of the 10 avatars of Goddess Durga and is also called Siddikali, Mahakali or Bhadrakali. Kali Puja is usually performed at midnight on a new moon and is also called Shyama Kali Puja. This puja aims to purify us of our egos and to rid ourselves of any evil in our hearts. For the Bengalis, this is a very important religious puja in the entire year.

Padwa and Govardhan Puja:

Padwa is also referred to as Gudi Padwa or Karthik Shudd Padwa, and falls on the day after the new moon. On this day, King Bali emerged from the underworld to rule the kingdom of Bhulok. In his memory, the day has been titled Bali Padyami. The day is a celebration of the love between husband and wife. Parents of newlyweds invite the young couple to take part in a specially arranged feast. Later, they exchange gifts.

This day is also celebrated by performing Govardhan Puja in honor of Lord Krishna who saved the people of Gokul from the wrath of Goddess Indra. Each year, these people held a post harvest festival, but in a particular year, they did not, under Lord Krishna’s instructions. To punish them, she threatened to drown them in rain, but Lord Krishna averted the disaster by lifting Mount Govardhan and holding it aloft to prevent it from the promised rain. For this heroic feat, Govardhan puja is performed.

Bhai Duj Puja:

The last day of Diwali celebrations is devoted to celebrating sisters. It is known variously as Bhaiyya Duj, Bhav Bhij and Bhai-Tika. Legend has it that on this day Lord Yama, the god of death, visited his sister Yamuna or Yami and granted her a boon that whoever visited her on that day would be absolved from all sins and would attain freedom from the earthly cycle of birth and rebirth. Yami greeted Yama and blessed him by applying a tilak on his brow-a practice that continues even today. This day is also called as Yama-Dwitya.

Ganesh puja:

This puja is performed first as this god is worshipped for auspicious beginnings and freedom from problems. Traditionally, Ganesh and Lakshmi puja are performed together at Diwali.

Diwali rituals:

One unique ritual performed on the eve of Diwali is gambling. According to legend, Goddess Parvati was gambling with her husband Lord Shiva on this day. Since she enjoyed herself so much at it that she said that whoever gambles on the eve of Diwali would be prosperous right through the year.

Puja thali for Diwali:

A Puja thali is a tray of offerings to be made to the god or goddess one prays to. It comprises a small kalash or pitcher, a little bell, a silver coin, and anything else you might like to add such as tiny idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha.


These rituals and legends make celebrating Diwali more meaningful and relevant in a modern world.

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