Diwali 2024: Date, Rituals, Celebrations, and Pooja Vidhi

You have often heard that Knowledge is the only cure for ignorance; similarly, light is only an anecdote to darkness. In moments of uncertainty, only knowledge rescues us; similarly, light is our only friend in despair. Diwali is celebrated across India and the world to celebrate the success of light, humanity, and knowledge over darkness, ignorance, and evil.

India is known worldwide for its rich culture, heritage, and festivals. Throughout the year, people celebrate various festivals in India, including Diwali, Dusshera, Holi, Eid, etc.

Every festival is celebrated with the uttermost Zeal and enthusiasm in India; people across the country eagerly wait for these celebrations. We, Indians, love celebrating these events with our friends and family. Of all these festivals, Diwali is much awaited by people of all ages, including adults and kids, as Diwali brings lots of celebrations, fun, games, sweets, crackers, and new dresses.

Diwali celebrations are in full swing from Dhanteras to Bhaiya Dooj, a span of five days. Diwali Pooja, or Laxmi Pooja as it is more commonly known, is an essential ritual performed by every Indian family on the night before Diwali. Most people celebrate it in the evening to invite the Goddess Laxmi into their homes and receive her blessing. Maa Laxmi is revered as the wealth and good fortune Goddess. Those who worship the Goddess are blessed with prosperity, peace, and good luck.

As part of Diwali's spiritual and holy spirit, it's believed to bring together former enemies. Attendees celebrate one another with gifts, food, and good cheer. Today, people still celebrate the victory of good over evil and light over darkness by lighting oil lamps in all four corners of the house. We are outlining the rituals of the Diwali pooja with all the background information that devout followers will need. For more, keep reading:

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Diwali Puja Muhurat

As per the Hindu calendar, Lakshmi puja on Diwali is celebrated in “Krishna Paksha,” on the night of the new moon in “Kartik month.” In 2024, Diwali will be celebrated on Friday, November 1, 2024.

Please find the entire Diwali Puja Muhurat schedule for your kind information:

• Auspicious Time of Lakshmi-Ganesh Aarti - 5:36 PM to 6:16 PM (New Delhi, India)
• Lakshmi Puja Duration - 40 minutes
• Pradosh Kaal - 5:36 PM to 8:11 PM
• Amavasya Tithi Starts on 31 October at 3:52 P.M. and will end on 1 November at 6:16 P.M.

Diwali 2024 Puja Vidhi and Rituals

The first step in preparing for Diwali, especially for those who perform Diwali puja, is to clear the clutter and clean the house. After thoroughly cleaning, sprinkle your home with Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges River). Candles, rangoli, and oil lamps make lovely accents for the home.

Second, drape a red cotton cloth over the table in your puja room. Fill the middle of the table with grains.

In the middle of the grains, place a Kalash made of bronze or silver filled with water to a maximum of 75%. Feed the Kalash a coin, a betel nut, a marigold, and rice. Wrap the Kalash with as many as five mango leaves in a circle.

Put a statue or picture of Lakshmi in the middle of the Kalash and a statue or picture of Ganesha to the right, facing southwest.

Prepare an offering to the Laxmi Ganesha deities by placing some rice in a small thali, decorating it with a Haldi lotus flower, and placing some money in its center.

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Honor and worship the Laxmi Ganesha statues by applying red tilak, offering flowers, and lighting a Diya.

Recite the puja Mantras with closed eyes while holding flowers in your hands. Clasp your hands in front of you and recite the Diwali puja mantra. Then, offer the flowers you have in your hands to the gods Ganesha and Lakshmi.

Use panchamrita as a water bath for the Lakshmi idol. Put it back with the Kalash after a quick rinse in clean water and dry drying with a new towel.

Present the gods with flowers, a fresh meal, haldi, and kumkum. Light two incense sticks and a dhoop and place them at the feet of the Laxmi Ganesha statues.

Remember to offer the gods a coconut, betel nut, and paan leaf. You can appease the goddess Laxmi by placing a bouquet, some offerings, and some currency in front of her statues.

Light a Diya in the pooja thali and ring the puja bell while reciting the holy Lakshmi aarti. After the ceremony, you can share food, sweets, and prasad with the community.

Diwali Puja Mantras

Reciting the following mantras for Goddess Lakshmi throughout the Diwali Puja is considered auspicious for residents:

• Om Maha Deyvicha Vidmahay; Vishnu Patnicha Deemahee; Thanno Lakshmi Prachodayat (for overall spiritual growth)
• Om Shreem Maha Lakshmiyei Namaha (for financial benefits)
• Om Shreem Shree-aee Namaha (for more happiness)
• Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Maha Lakshmi Namaha (for overall abundance)

Please note that these holy mantras should be chanted 108 times with a rhinestone rosary.

Diwali 2024 Pooja Samagri

• Silver Coin
• Flower
• Rose and Red Lotus
• Sandalwood
• Vermilion, Kumkum
• Saffron
• Five Sacrificial
• Rice
• Abir Gulal
• Make Up Items (Mehendi, Bangles, Payal, Kajal, Bichiya, Comb and Bindi)
• Punch Mewa (Raisins, Cashews, Dates, Makhana, Almonds etc.)
• Panchamrit (Milk, Sugar, Honey, Gangajal, and Curd)
• 5 Betel Nuts
• 5 Betel Leaves
• Turmeric
• Molly Or Kalawa
• Garland
• Sweet Basil
• Lamp
• Oil For Large Lampwhole Coriander
• Coconut with Husk
• Kusha and Durva
• Whole Coriander
• Akshat
• Half Meter White and Red Cloth
• Cloves
• Small Cardamom
• Gangajal
• Pure Ghee
• Seasonal Fruits (Sugarcane, Water Chestnut Etc.)
• Water Urns Made Of Copper, Clay Or Brass
• Clothes To Be Offered To Goddess Lakshmi And Lord Ganesha
• Panch Pallava (Bad, Gular, Peepal, Mango and Pakar Leaves)
• Perfume Bottle
• A Wooden Or Metal Plank/Chowki
• Ledger, Ink
• Turmeric Root
• Kapoor
• Kalash For Water
• Mango Leaf
• A Miniature Broom
• Janeu
• Dhoop
• A Metal Bell and Aarti Thali
• Money (Notes and Coin)

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Overall, Diwali celebrations last from Dhanteras to Bhaiya Dooj, five days. Diwali Pooja, or Laxmi Pooja, is an essential ritual performed by Indian families to invite Goddess Laxmi into their homes. It is believed to bring together former enemies and celebrate with gifts, food, and good cheer. Today, people celebrate the victory of good over evil and light over darkness by lighting oil lamps in all four corners of the house.