When we imagine about Diwali, lots of imagination comes to our minds… a sweet evening, colorful and fragrant flowers, decorated puja plates, and illuminated diyas. It looks like all the stars come on the earth. This is not only a festival but also a symbol of the Indian tradition, which shows a deep and unique message of our religion.
Diwali reminds us about the lord shri Ram coming to Ayodhya, the victory of dharm on Adhram, and the victory of light over darkness. This is not only to decorate the house but also to make a sweet and strong bond with your family members and start a new beginning in life.
Our ancestors make a new tradition of Diwali; its aim is to not only highlight the tradition but also to increase goodness, strong bonds, and also transmitted tradition. Let’s come to know the unique 5 traditions to accept so we can grow not only house illumination but also get increased positivity and good relations with our family members and with society.
Preparation for Diwali starts many days before the occasion. Cleaning of the home, arranging the old stuff, coloring and decorating the walls, and making good looks for the pooja place. All these are included in the traditions of this auspicious occasion.
In Indian culture, all believe that goddess Laxmi comes into the well-arranged home. That’s why cleaning is the prior phase. This is not only about the cleaning of the outside but also about cleaning our inner self and thoughts.
On this occasion, especially puja ghar and places get decorated. Make the place clean for the Lord Ganesha, Goddess Laxmi, and your pujaniya god. Make a decorated place with fresh flowers, fragrant sandal and new clothes. Make clean entrance doors and windows so we can celebrate the festival with lots of joy, happiness and enthusiasm.
When we see rangoli on the entrance of the door, it makes our heart happy. Colorful lotus, swastik, diya and traditional art make our decoration 100 times more beautiful and attractive. In Indian tradition, rangoli is the symbol of happiness, prosperity and welcoming guests.
It is believed that we make rangoli and decorate the entrance for the welcome of our goddess Laxmi. This is the main reason why we decorate our home. We can use rice atta and kumkum-haldi to make attractive rangoli. We use ashok or mango leaves to make door hangings. Rose and genda flower strings also give the traditional and beautiful look to the home. We must involve children in this preparation so that they can understand and learn our tradition and values.
The attraction of Diwali is the illuminated diyas. In the evening, when diyas start to illuminate, it makes the environment full of divinity and auspiciousness. This tradition is linked with the memory of Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Laxman returning back to Ayodhya 14 years after exile. It is believed that Ayodhya people celebrate this day in the memory of their coming back.
Illuminated diya not only enlightens the home and places but also enlightens the inner self from darkness, ego and negativity. A beautiful line of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad-
Asato Ma Sadgamaya
Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya
Mrityorma Amritagamaya
Meaning: O Lord! “Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality.”
Let’s enlighten diyas to home, entrance, puja ghar, Tulsi plant. If possible, buy clay diyas from local potters/artisans to make their lives better. When illuminating the diyas, think of enlightening someone’s life.
To do rituals of puja of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha has significant importance. Goddess Lakshmi is considered the presiding deity of wealth, grandeur, opulence, and prosperity, while Lord Ganesha is the symbol of intellect, wisdom, and auspiciousness. Therefore, there is a tradition of worshipping both of them together on Diwali, on the night of Amavasya.
For puja, first clean the puja place. Put on red or yellow clothes and place goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha on it. Give chandan, akshat, diya, and roli. Offering flowers to Goddess Lakshmi and grass to Lord Ganesha brings immense peace and bliss. After that, do shrishuktam. Finally, perform the Lakshmi-Ganesh Aarti with proper rituals, and pray for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of the family.
During puja rituals, all members come together and let children do arati and chant mantras. Let them clear about the real meaning of prosperity: a healthy family, good relation and compassion for others.
The sweetness of Diwali is not only about the sweats but also about the relations that make them grow with love and a sense of belonging. On this day, all share good wishes and gifts with others. This time is to forget all the old bitterness with good and new starts.
But is it limited only for the self and our houses? Would it be for those needy, poor and underprivileged children and families? Should not the illumination of Diwali extend to the life of that destitute individual who possesses no resources to celebrate the occasion?
In the Sanathan tradition, Daan and seva are the best way to do dharma. We have to spread joy and happiness with others. Let gift food, clothes and crackers to the needy and poor families. Arrange education-related essentials for the needy children and arrange necessary stuff for the underprivileged families.
Let illuminate at least one diya for the name of the needy one. Let’s feed them hungry, buy crackers for poor and needy children and give sweats, make them happy on their faces.
These 5 traditions teach us the 5 important lessons of life… cleanliness, holiness, enlightenment, shradha and charity. Cleaning teaches us to wipe out dirt and rangoli teaches us to welcome good thoughts. Diyas gives us encouragement to fight with darkness. Laxmi Ganesh’s puja gives a lesson of belief, whereas distributing sweets makes the poor and needy happy.
This Diwali let decorate home, illuminate entrance and make our hearts enlightened with love and affection. Remember the Lord Ram Righteousness, get blessings from Goddess Laxmi and donate as per your capacity, which makes other lives brighten.
Remember, the most beautiful diya of Diwali is to shine a smile on someone’s face.
Warm wishes to all a very Happy Diwal
Just as the lights of Diwali continue to illuminate our homes and courtyards, the following day brings another sacred festival that reminds us of devotion and gratitude towards nature. This festival is known as Govardhan Puja.
Diwali, the festival of lights, brings a message of renewed hope, prosperity, and new beginnings. It is a sacred occasion to illuminate our inner selves, follow the path of good deeds, and embrace righteousness, compassion, and harmony in our lives.
Amid the preparations for Diwali, Dhanteras arrives on the Trayodashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. This sacred festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kubera.
