Diwali - 2021 History Of Diwali, Timing Of Puja, Diwali Puja Vidhi

 

The Hindu festival of lights, known as Deepavali or Diwali is the biggest and the brightest of all festivals. A festival marked by four days of celebration, Diwali is witnessed all around India and also celebrated in different parts the world. A beautiful and one of the most pious occasions, Diwali is the time that illuminates the country with its sheer magic and brilliance and dazzles people everywhere with joy and celebration.

Diwali is most often celebrated around late October or early November. According to the Hindu calendar, in the month of Kartik, Diwali falls on the 15th day, and hence it varies every year. All the four days in Diwali have their unique traditions that fill people with good hope, love, peace and a rejuvenated mind, not to forget unadulterated happiness.

History and origin story:

The history of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, when it most likely began as an important harvest festival. However, there are several legends pointing to the origins of Diwali.

There are many who believe Diwali to be the celebration to mark the wedding of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, with Lord Vishnu. Diwali is probably the commemoration of their blissful marriage. Others think it to be a celebration of Lakshmi's birthday, as Lakshmi is said to have been born on the new-moon day of Kartik.

In Bengal, the Deepavali, or Deepavali, is dedicated to the worship of the powerful goddess Kali, the dark goddess of strength. the elephant god Lord Ganesha is also worshipped in some homes on Diwali, because he is a symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom. In certain Jain homes, Diwali has the added significance of marking the great event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss called nirvana.

Timings of Puja :

Amavasya Tithi starts - 4th November 2021 from 06:03 am

Amavasya Tithi ends - on 5th November 2021 till 02:44 am

According to Drik Panchang, the most auspicious time to perform Diwali Puja is after sunset as the time post-sunset is known as ‘pradosh’.

“The day of Diwali Puja is decided when Amavasya Tithi prevails during pradosh. Hence, no other Diwali puja muhurat is as good as puja muhurat during pradosh, even if it is available for one ghati (approximately 24 minutes),” states the portal.

Time: 06:09 pm to 08:20 pm

Pradosh Kaal- 17:34:09 PM to 20:10:27 PM

Vrshabh kaal - 18:10:29 PM to 20:06:20 PM

Diwali puja vidhi:

On the day of Diwali, Lakshmi puja is performed at every Hindu household of the country. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth. The Lakshmi puja is performed in the evening to invite Goddess Lakshmi at home. People pray and wish for peace, wealth and prosperity in their and their family members life.

In case you want to perform Diwali puja / Lakshmi puja at home this year and don't know the steps, check the guide provided below.

Diwali Puja Vidhi: Step-by-Step guide Diwali Puja Vidhi 

Step 1: Purify your home :

Diwali cleaning is very important. Clean every corner of your house. After cleaning, sprinkle Gangajal (holy water from river Ganga) to purify the surrounding.

Step 2: Set up puja platform:

In your puja room/living room, spread a red cotton cloth on a table/stool and keep a handful of grains in the center.

Step 3: Place a kalash:

Place the kalash (silver/bronze pot) in the middle of grains. Fill the kalash with 75% of water and put one supari (betel nut), one marigold flower, a coin and some rice grains. Place 5 mango leaves on the kalash in a circular design.

 Step 4: Place idol of Lakshmi and Ganesha for puja:

Place the idol of Goddess Lakshmi in the centre and idol of Lord Ganesha on the right side (South-West direction) of the kalash. Take a small thali and make a small flat mountain of rice grains, draw a lotus flower with haldi, put some coins and place it in front of the idol.

Step 5: Place accounts books/wealth related items:

Now place your business/accountancy book and other wealth/business related items in frontof the idol.

Step 6: Apply tilak and light diya:

Now apply tilak to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh and light diyas. Apply tilak to kalash also.

 step 7: Offer flowers:

Now offer flowers to Lord Ganesh and Lakshmi. Keep some flower in your palm for prayer.

Step 8: Recite Puja Mantra:

Place flower in your palm and join your hands in prayer mode, close your eyes and recite Diwali puja mantra. After prayer, offer the flower kept in your palm to Ganesha and Lakshmi.

 Step 9: Offer water:

Take a Lakshmi idol and bathe it with water followed by panchamrita. Bathe it again with water, wipe with a clean cloth and place it back on the Kalash.

Step 10: Offer mala (garland):

Put haldi, kumkum and rice to the idol. Place the garland around the neck of the Goddess. Burn agarbatti and shoop in front of the idol.

 Step 11: Offer fruits and sweets:

Take coconut, supari, paan leaf and offer it to the goddess. Offer fruit and sweets to the goddess. Put some flowers and coins in front of the idol.

 Step 12: Perform Lakshmi Aarti:

Take a diya in a thali, puja bell and perform the Lakshmi aarti.