Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most celebrated occasions in India, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. In 2024, Diwali festivities will commence on October 29 with Dhanteras and conclude on November 3 with Bhai Dooj. This year, the main Diwali celebration will occur on November 1.

Let’s explore the significance of Lakshmi Puja and the steps to celebrate this auspicious occasion at home.

Understanding the Five Days of Diwali

Diwali spans Five Days, each with its unique significance:

Dhanteras – October 29, 2024 (Tuesday)

Dhanteras marks the auspicious start of Diwali. It’s a day dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari (the god of Ayurveda), Goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth), and Kuber (the king of the Yakshas). On this day, families often purchase gold, silver, or new utensils, believing it brings good fortune.

Remedies

• Health: Start fresh by thoroughly cleaning your home. Sweep the floors with salt water to dispel negativity. Light a ghee lamp in front of Lord Dhanvantari for a boost of health and vitality!
• Prosperity: Chant Lakshmi mantras and offer a small silver coin adorned with kumkum and akshat to Goddess Lakshmi. Store this coin in your locker to attract wealth for the coming year.

Narak Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) – October 31, 2024 (Thursday)

This day honors Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, a powerful reminder of good triumphing over evil.

Remedies

• Health: Take a purifying bath with neem or turmeric to cleanse your spirit and attract positive energy.
• Spiritual Cleansing: Clean your home and light a mustard oil lamp at your doorstep to welcome positivity and protect against negativity.

Lakshmi Puja (Diwali) – November 1, 2024 (Friday)

The heart of Diwali, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, where homes and businesses shine bright with lamps and intricate rangolis.

Remedies

• Prosperity: Set up a beautiful Lakshmi Puja in the evening, placing the idol of Goddess Lakshmi next to Lord Ganesha for wisdom and success.
• Energy: Light 11 ghee lamps throughout your home to invite divine energy and positivity.
• Mantra: Chant powerful Lakshmi mantras like Shree Sukta or Kanakdhara Stotra. Even listening to these sacred sounds can uplift your spirit!

Govardhan Puja – November 2, 2024 (Saturday)

This day celebrates Lord Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan to protect the people of Vrindavan, reminding us to appreciate the gifts of nature.

Remedies

• Gratitude: Offer grains and sweets to Govardhan Hill or Lord Krishna, expressing thanks for nature’s abundance.
• Relationships: Foster love and respect within your family, reinforcing the bonds that make us stronger together.

Bhai Dooj – November 3, 2024 (Sunday)

A heartwarming day that celebrates the unique bond between brothers and sisters, filled with love and promises of protection.

Remedies

• Strengthen Bonds: Apply a tilak of Kesar or kumkum on your brother’s forehead and share sweets to enhance your connection.
• Blessings: Give a thoughtful gift to express your appreciation for your sibling bond.

Diwali 2024 Pujan Vidhi

The puja should be performed in a clean, sacred space, often referred to as the Ishaana corner or the northern direction. Here is a step-by-step guide to the Pujan Vidhi for Diwali:

1. Preparation:
   • Begin by cleaning the Ishaana corner (north direction) thoroughly.
   • Draw a swastika symbol on the floor, which represents auspiciousness.
   • Sprinkle akshat (rice) over the swastika.
2. Setting Up:
   • Lay a wooden seat and cover it with a red cloth to symbolize prosperity and happiness.
   • Place the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh on this seat.
3. Establishing the Panchadev:
   • Before starting the main puja, set up the idols of the Panchadev: Surya Dev, Shri Ganesh, Durga, Shiva, and Vishnu.
   • Sanctify the setup by sprinkling Ganga water over the area.
4. Worship of Lord Ganesh:
   • Begin the puja with mantras dedicated to Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. Recite the following mantra:

“Gajaananam Bhoota Ganaadi Sevitam,
Kapittha Jambu Phala Saara Bhakshitam.
Umaasutam Shoka Vinashakaaranam,
Namami Vighneshwar Paada Pankajam.”

5. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi:
   • After offering prayers to Lord Ganesh, proceed to worship Goddess Lakshmi. This involves offering flowers, fruits, and sweets while chanting her mantras.
6. Applying Tilak:
   • Apply a tilak of red vermilion on the foreheads of both deities as a mark of honor and devotion.
7. Performing Aarti:
   • After completing the puja, perform the aarti (a ritual of light) for both Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh. This is usually done using a plate filled with oil lamps and incense sticks.
8. Offering Bhog:
   • Offer sweets, especially mithai (Indian sweets), as bhog (food offerings) to the deities.
9. Distributing Prasad:
   • After the aarti, distribute the aarti and prasad among all present. This sharing symbolizes the blessings of the deities being extended to everyone.

Diwali 2024 Pujan Samagri

For a successful Diwali puja, the following materials are essential:

1. Idols: Statues or images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh.
2. Ritual Items:
   • Roli (red powder), kumkum (sacred powder), and akshat (unbroken rice).
   • Betel leaves and areca nut.
   • Coconut and cloves.
   • Cardamom, incense, and camphor.
   • Incense sticks and clay lamps (diyas).
   • Cotton and kalawa (sacred thread).
   • Honey and yogurt.
   • Ganga water and jaggery.
   • Coriander, fruits, and flowers.
   • Barley, wheat, and durva grass (a sacred grass).
   • Sandalwood and vermilion.
   • Panchamrit (a mixture of five sacred ingredients: milk, yogurt, honey, sugar, and ghee).
   • Milk and nuts (such as cashews and almonds).
   • Batasha (sugar puffs) and janeu (sacred thread).
   • White cloth for offerings.
   • Perfume and a pedestal for the idols.
   • A kalash (pot) filled with water and mango leaves.
   • A garland of lotus seeds.
   • A conch shell for ceremonial purposes.
   • A seating mat and a plate for offerings.
   • A silver coin for blessings.
   • Havan kund and havan materials for fire rituals.
   • A seating arrangement for devotees.
   • Prasad (offerings that are distributed after the puja).

Lakshmi Puja: Rituals and Timings for Diwali 2024

On November 1, 2024, the auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja falls on Kartik Amavasya.

Here are the key timings:

• Amavasya Date: (October 31), 3:53 PM – November 1, 6:17 PM
• Pradosh Puja Time: (November 1), 5:44 PM – 8:19 PM
• Nishita Kaal Time: (November 1), 11:44 PM – November 2, 12:36 AM

Reciting the Lakshmi Puja Mantra

Begin the puja by chanting the following mantra dedicated to Lord Ganesh:

“Gajaananam Bhoota Ganaadi Sevitam, Kapittha Jambu Phala Saara Bhakshitam. Umaasutam Shoka Vinashakaaranam, Namami Vighneshwar Paada Pankajam.”

Lakshmi Maa Mantras

1. Lakshmi Vandana Mantra: “Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah”
   (This mantra is a simple yet powerful invocation to Goddess Lakshmi.)
2. Wealth and Prosperity Mantra: “Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhyo Namah”
   (Chanting this mantra attracts wealth and prosperity into your life.)
3. General Prosperity Mantra: “Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamalavasinyai Namah”
   (This mantra is dedicated to the goddess residing in the lotus and is believed to bring abundance.)
4. Incorporating Mantras in Your Puja – You can recite these mantras during the puja to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere of your celebration.

Ganesha Puja Mantras

1. Ganesh Vandana Mantra: “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah”
   (This is a simple yet potent invocation to Lord Ganesha.)
2. Ganesha Ashtakshara Mantra: “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah”
   (This revered eight-syllable mantra is known for its power to eliminate obstacles.)
3. Vighneshvara Mantra: “Om Vakratundaya Hum”
   (Chanting this mantra calls upon Lord Ganesha for his blessings as the remover of difficulties.)
4. Using the Mantras in Your Puja – Reciting these mantras during your Lakshmi Puja can help establish a connection with Lord Ganesha and invite his blessings for a prosperous and obstacle-free celebration.

Light Up Your Home

As you celebrate Diwali, remember to light diyas in every corner of your home. These lights symbolize hope, success, and knowledge, spreading joy and prosperity.

Final Diwali Wishes

May the lights of Diwali illuminate your life with joy, prosperity, and happiness. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and joyous Diwali! Connect with our expert Vedic astrologers and receive personalized guidance for your Lakshmi Puja rituals, ensuring an auspicious and prosperous celebration.