Diwali or Divali or Deepavali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists it is celebrated for five days. On Diwali day, during Amavasya day, the newly installed statues of Ganesha and Lakshmi Devi are worshipped. Besides Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja, Kuber Puja and Bahi-Khata Puja are also performed.
On the day of Diwali Puja, the full day of fasting should be observed. Fasting should be Nirjal i.e. without water or Phalahar i.e. only fruits or only milk depending on the body capacity and will of the person. Diwali Puja should be performed on a proper Diwali Puja Muhurat keeping in mind the fixed time of Lagna, Pradosh and Amavasya Tithi. A complete Diwali Puja involves the following Puja(s).
Detailed Diwali Puja:
- Atma-Shodhan – is known as self-purification.
- Sankalp – which is a solemn vow to perform Diwali Puja rituals.
- Shanti-Patha – Shanti Patha Mantra is recited to bring peace, happiness and prosperity to everyone’s life.
- Mangal-Patha – which is recited to fulfill wishes in everyone’s life.
- Kalash-Sthapana – detailed Puja Vidhi of Kalash Sthapana
- Bhagawan Ganapati Puja – Sankshipt five steps Ganesha Pujan Vidhi
- Nav-Graha Puja – Sankshipt Navagraha Pujan
- Shodasha Matrika Puja – Sankshipt Shodasha Matrika Pujan
- New Ganesha Pratima Puja – Shodashopachara Puja of Shri Ganesha
- New Sri Lakshmi Pratima Puja – Shodashopachara Puja of Shri Lakshmi
- Maha Kali Puja – Maha-Kali Puja on Lekhani-Dawat
- Saraswati Puja – Saraswati Puja on Bahi-Khata
- Kuber Puja – Shri Kuber-Puja on Tijori-Baksa
- Deep-Malika Puja – all necessary Puja steps for Deep-Malika Puja Vidhi
- Visarjan – formal conclusion of Diwali Puja with Prayer
All the above Pujas are performed with complete rituals. As the full Diwali Puja may take hours and the available Lakshmi Puja Muhurat may be too short to perform all the Pujas, Diwali Puja may start before the Lakshmi Puja Muhurat so that the Lakshmi Puja time coincides with the time available from Muhurat. The remaining Puja can continue after Lakshmi Puja beyond Muhurat time.
Care must be taken that the Deepa lit during Diwali Puja continues to be lit throughout the night. After Puja, it is suggested to read Sri Sukta, Lakshmi Sukta and other Sri Lakshmi Stutis. If possible, an all-night vigil dedicated to Sri Lakshmi Stuti is also recommended.