Diwali (Deepavali)

The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps

(deepa) that we light outside our homes to symbolize the

inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness.

The Diwali story has various interpretations:

North India: Celebrated as the day of King Rama's return

to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana

South India: Celebrated as the day that Lord Krishna

defeated the demon Narakasura

Western India: Marks the day that Lord Vishnu sent the

demon King Bali to rule the nether world.

The five days of Diwali

Dhan Trayodashi (Dhanteras

Narak Chaturdash

Diwal

Govardhan Puj

Bhai Dooj
Day-1

Day 1 Dhanteras / Dhan Trayodashi

Legends

The sixteen-year-old son of King Hima was doomed to die by

a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage, as per his

horoscope. On that day, his young wife did not allow him to

sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver

coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir

and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she

went on telling stories and singing songs. When Yama, the

god of Death, arrived in the guise of a Serpent, his eyes were

blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights, and he could

not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the

heap of ornaments and coins and sat there the whole night

listening to melodious songs.

In the morning, he quietly went away. Thus, the young wife

saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then,

this day of Dhanteras became known as the day of

"Yamadeepdaan," and lamps are kept burning throughout the

night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death.

Preparations

Dhanteras Preparations
Decorate your house and business premises. Make the
entrance colorful with Rangoli designs to welcome
Goddess Lakshmi. Draw small footprints with rice flour
and vermilion powder all over the house to indicate the
long-awaited arrival. Keep 5 lamps burning all night.

Dhanteras Traditions
Purchase gold or silver articles or new utensils. The new
"Dhan," or some form of precious metal, is believed to be a
sign of good luck. Perform "Laxmi-Puja" in the evening
with Diyas lighted to drive away the shadows of evil
spirits. "Naivedya" of traditional sweets may be offered to
the Goddess. Maharashtra has a peculiar custom to pound
dry coriander seeds with jaggery lightly and offer as
Naivedya.

Maharashtra has a peculiar custom of lightly pounding dry

coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.
Day-2

Day 2 Chhoti Diwali/Naraka Chaturdashi

Legends

After defeating Lord Indra, the demon king Narakasur, ruler

of Pragjyotisha, had snatched away the magnificent earrings

of Aditi, the Mother Goddess, and imprisoned sixteen

thousand daughters of the gods and saints in his harem. On

coming to know about this, Satyabhama was enraged by

Narakasura's malevolence towards women, and she appealed

to Krishna to give her a golden chance to destroy

Narakasura. The legend also says that Narakasura was given

a curse that he would be killed by a woman. Krishna granted

Satyabhama a boon to fight with Narakasura. With Krishna

as the charioteer, Satyabhama entered the battlefield. During

the war, Krishna swooned for a while, and a preordained

divine act was adopted to empower Satyabhama to kill the

demon.
Choti Diwali

After Narakasura was beheaded, the imprisoned women

were released, and Krishna accepted to marry them.

As a symbol of that victory, Lord Krishna smeared his
forehead with the demon king's blood and returned home
early on the morning of Narakachaturdashi. The womenfolk
massaged scented oil to his body and gave him a good bath
to wash away the filth from his body. Since then, the custom
of bathing before sunrise on this day has become a
traditional practice, especially in Maharashtra.
Preparations

Naraka Chaturdashi Preparations

In South India, this victory of Divine over the demon is
celebrated differently. People wake up before sunrise,
prepare a paste by mixing Kumkum in oil, symbolizing blood
and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of
the demon king that Krishna smashed, apply that mixture on
their foreheads. Then, they have an oil bath using
sandalwood paste.



In Maharashtra, traditional early baths with oil and "Uptan"

(paste of gram flour) and fragrant powders are a 'must'. All
through the ritual of baths, the deafening sounds of crackers
and fireworks encourage the children to enjoy bathing.
Afterward, steamed vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed
rice with curd is served.
Day-3

Day 3 - Diwali

Legends

Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the abundance of

autumn harvest and is dedicated to various gods and

goddesses. The festival also marks an important date in the

Indian calendar, as the North Indian Kingdom of Avadha has

celebrated this as the last day of Lord Rama's long exile of

fourteen years.

As the citizens of Ayodhya eagerly awaited their beloved

prince's return, they lit thousands of lamps to guide his flying

vimana to their city.

The darkest night of the year gave way to a glorious morning

as Rama returned to his ancestral kingdom of Avadh with his

wife and brothers.

Diwali

Diwali celebrates the gracious nature of the three goddesses:

Lakshmi, Kali, and Saraswati. Dhanteras, which is two days
before Diwali, is dedicated to Lakshmi, whose blessings are
essential for a prosperous, fruitful, and peaceful life. Kali
Chaudash, the day before Diwali, is dedicated to Maha Kali,
whose strength we seek to maintain our wealth. Physical,
mental, and spiritual strength are essential for all of us to lead
a happy life. Diwali itself is dedicated to the Goddess
Saraswati. Knowledge is the ultimate wealth, for it cannot be
stolen from you; it is also the ultimate strength, for it often
defeats brute force.
Preparations

Diwali Preparations
Prepare for Diwali puja by procuring
Idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi and God Ganesh
A platform for doing the puj
Clean cloth (do not use black, blue or grey
Kalash (Metal or earthen
Mango leave
Betel leaves (paan ka patta) and betel nuts (supari
5 earthen lamps/diya
Mustard oil/ghee to light the diya
Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar
5 types of sweet
Fresh flowers (marigold, rose, lotus
Puja items (Dhoop, Agarbatti, Haldi, Kumkum
A clean coin (could also be a silver coin
Sandalwood past
Water
Laxmi Pooja

Step by Step Diwali Pujan/Lakshmi Pooja

n Diwali Pujan or Laxmi Pooja, Lord Ganesha and

Goddess Laxmi (in her three forms) are
worshipped.

Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of
every auspicious act as Vighnaharta; Goddess
Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms -
Mahalakshmi (the Goddess of wealth and
money), Mahasaraswati (the Goddess of books
and learning), and Mahakali. Kuber (the treasurer
of the gods) is also worshipped

Spread a new cloth on the raised platform

Place a handful of grains in the center. On top
of this, place a Kalash with water, a betel nut, a
flower, a coin, and some rice grains. Arrange
five kinds of leaves or mango leaves in the
kalash
Place a small dish on the Kalash and fill it with
rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric
Step by Step

powder(haldi) over the rice grains and place the

idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins
In front of the Kalash, on the right (South-West
direction), place the idol of Ganesha. Also, place
ink and books related to your business or
occupation on the platform
Light a Deepak (lamp) and the Agarbatti
(incense sticks). Begin the puja by offering haldi,
Kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which
the Kalash is placed
Sprinkle the water on all puja utensils to purify
them
Make the Panchamrit
Start with Ganesh Pujan (Diwali puja must start
with Lord Ganesha. Ganesha should be
worshipped in all pujas before any other gods or
Goddesses. For he is the Lord of Wisdom and the
remover of obstacles). Recite Ganesh Mantras
and Ganesh Aarti. Offer a garland to the god.
Offer flowers and make an offering of sweets,
coconut, and fruits.
Step by Step

Now, invoke Goddess Laxmi by reciting the

Laxmi mantras. Then, offer the flowers to the

idol

Place the idol of Lakshmi on a plate and bathe

it with water, Panchamrit, and then with water

containing a gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe

the idol clean and place it back on the Kalash.

Alternatively, you can just sprinkle water and

Panchamrit on the idol with a flower

Offer sandal paste, haldi, and Kumkum to the

Goddess. Offer a garland to the Goddess. Offer

flowers and make an offering of sweets,

coconut, and fruits

Then, worship the ink and business books.

Open the first page of each book, write "Shubh

Labh" on it, and draw a Swastika in the

clockwise direction

Wash all your gold and silver coins with water,

Panchamrit, and then rewash them with water.

Step by Step

Make an offering of puffed rice and

batasha to the Gods

Finally, perform the Aarti for goddess Laxmi

and the universal Aarti of "Om Jai Jagdish

Hare..

At the end, distribute the Prasad to all

members present and then have some for

yourself

Now light the lamps and candles all around

the house. No corner of the house should be

left in darkness. (Do not light the Diyas

before puja.)
 ।। श्री गणेष श्लोक ।।

“वक्र तुंड महाकाय, सू र्य

को टि समप्रभ:।

नि र्विघ्नंकुरु मेदेव शुभ
का षु र्ये स दा।।”


र्व
Vakratunda Maha-Kaaya
Surya-Kotti Samaprabha |

Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva
Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvadaa ||

O Lord Ganesha, of Curved Trunk, Large Body,

and with the Brilliance of a Million Suns, please
Make all my Works Free of Obstacles, Always.


Listen here
 श्री गणेषजी की आरती
जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा।

माता जाकी पा र्वती, पिता महादेवा॥

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा।

माता जाकी पा र्वती, पिता महादेवा॥

एकदन्त, दयावन्त, चार भुजा धारी।

माथेपर तिलक सोहे,मूषक वाहन सवारी॥

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा।

माता जाकी पा र्वती, पिता महादेवा॥

अन्धन को आंख देत, को ढ़िन को काया।

बांझन को पुत्र देत, नि र्धन को माया॥

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा।

माता जाकी पा र्वती, पिता महादेवा॥

पान चढ़े,फूल चढ़े,और चढ़ेमेवा।

लड्डूवान का भोग लगे,संत करेंसेवा॥

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा।

माता जाकी पा र्वती, पिता महादेवा॥

Listen here
Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva
Mata jaki Parvati, pita Mahadeva.

Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari Mathe

par tilak sohe, muse ki savari Jai Ganesh,

jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva

Glory to you, O Lord Ganesha!

Born of Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, and the

great Shiva. O Lord of compassion, you have a single

tusk, four arms, A vermilion mark of on your forehead,

and ride on a mouse. Glory to you, O Lord Ganesha !

Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya

Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya
Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva

You bestow vision on the blind, chastened body on the

leprous, Children on the sterile, and wealth on the

destitute. Glory to you, O Lord Ganesha!

Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva

Ladduan ka bhog lage, sant kare seva. Jai
Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva

People offer you betel leaves, blossoms, fruits And

sweets, while saints and seers worship you. Glory to you,

O Lord Ganesha !
श्री लक्ष्मी जी की आरती
ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता, मैया जय लक्ष्मी माता

तुम को निस दिन सेवत, मैया जी को निस दिन

सेवत हर विष्णुविधाता ।

ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता ।।

उमा रमा ब्रह्माणी, तुम ही जग माता

ओ मैया तुम ही जग माता ।

सू र्यचन्द माँघ्यावत, नारद ऋ षि

गाता ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता ।।

दु र्गारूप निरन्ज नि, सुख सम्प ति दाता

ओ मैया सुख सम्प ति दाता ।

जो कोई तुम को ध्यावत, ऋ द्धिस द्धि धन पाता

ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता ।।

तुम पाताल निवा सि नि, तुम पुभ दाता

ओ मैया तुम ही पुभ दाता ।

क र्मप्रभाव प्रका पि नि, भव नि धि की दाता

ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता ।।



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Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata,

Tumko nisadin sevata, maiya ji ko nisadin

sevata Har Vishnu Vidhata.

Glory to you, O Mother, glory to you, mother Lakshmi. Shiva, Vishnu,

and Brahma meditate on you every day and night.


Glory to you, O Mother, glory to you, mother Lakshmi. Shiva, Vishnu,

and Brahma meditate on you every day and night.




Uma Rama Bharmani, Tum Hi Jag Mata, Surya

Chandrma Dhyavat Naard Rishee Gata. Om Jai

Lakshmi Mata

You are yourself the consort of Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu and the

mother of the world. The sage Narada sings your praises and the

Sun and the Moon meditate on you.




Durga Roop Niranjani, Sukh Sampati Data, O maiya

sukh sampati data Jo Koi Tum Ko Dhayata, Riddhi

Siddhi Pata. Om Jai Lakshmi Mata




As Durga, you grant both happiness and prosperity and he who

centres his attention on you becomes a recipient of all

prosperity and accomplishment

Tum Patal Nivasini, Tum Hi Shubh Data,O maiya tum hi

shubh data Karam-Pra- bhav-Prakashini, Bhav

Nidhi Ki Trata. Om Jai Lakshmi Mata2






None but you dwell in the nether regions of the earth and you

alone ensure good luck, bring to light the effect of duty and

protect all worldly treasures



जिस घर तु
म रहती तहँसब सद्गण
ु आता । ओ मैया सद्गण
ु आता ।

सब संभव हो जाता, मन नहीं घबराता ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता ।।

तु
म बिन यज्ञ न होते,वस्त्र न कोई पता ओ मैया वस्त्र ना पाता ।

खान पान का वैभव, सब तु

म सेआता

ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता ।।

षु
भ गु
ण मं दिर सु
ंदर, क्षीरोद धि जाता

ओ मैया क्षीरोद धि जाता ।

रत्न चतुर्दष तु
म बिन, कोई नहीं पाता

ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता ।।

महा लक्ष्मीजी की आरती, जो कोई जन गाता

ओ मैया जो कोई गाता ।

उर आनंद समाता, पाप उतर जाता ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता ।।

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Jis Ghar Main Tum Rahti, Sub Sadgun Aata, 0
maiya Sub Sadgun Aata Sub Sambhav Ho Jata,
Man Nahi Ghabrata. Om Jai Lakshmi Mata
All the virtues collect themselves where you have your dwelling;
with your grace and favour even the impossible becomes
possible without causing any nervous agitation

Tum Bin Yagya Na Hove, Vastra No Koi Pata,

Khan-Pana Ka Vaibhav, Sub Tumse Pata. Om Jai
Lakshmi Mata
No sacrifice can be performed without you; no one can obtain
any garment; it is from you that one obtains one's sustenance



Shubhgun Mandir Sundar, Sheerodadhi Jata, Ratan

Chaturdhsh Tum Bin, Koi Nahi Pata. Om Jai Lakshmi
Mata


O! daughter of the Ocean of Milk and the beauteous temple of
all propitious virtues,you are verily a living mass of all fourteen
gems with which none else is endowed

Mahalakshmi Ji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gata, Urr Anand

Samata, Pap Utar Jata. Om Jai Lakshmi Mata




"Whosoever hymns this prayer to Lakshmi is purged of his sins
and experiences the ecstasy of joy"


श्री विश्णुजी की आरती
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे,

स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे।



भक्त जनों के संकट,


दास जनों के संकट,

क्षण मेंदूर करे॥

ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥



जो ध्यावेफल पावे,

दुख बिनसेमन का।

स्वामी दुख बिनसेमन का,

सुख सम्प त्ति घर आवे॥

ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥



मात- पिता तुम मेर,
े

शरण गहूँमैंकिसकी।

स्वामी शरण गहूँमैंकिसकी,

तुम बिन और न दूजा॥

ॐ जय जगदीश हरे॥

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Om jai Jagdish hare, Swami jai Jagdish hare
Bhakt jano ke sankat, Das jano ke sankat
Kshañ men door kare, Om jai Jagdish hare
Oh Lord of the whole Universe

Mighty Lord of the whole Universe All Thy devotees' agonies All Thy
devotees' sorrows

Instantly Thou banisheth. Oh Lord of the whole Universe

Jo dhyave phal påve, Dukh bin se man kä

Swami dukh bin se man kã, Sukh sampati ghar
äve Sukh sampati ghar äve, Kasht mite tan kä
Om jai Jagdish hare
He who's immersed in devotion He reaps the fruits of Thy love
Lord, he reaps the fruits of Thy love Floating in a cloud of comforts.
Floating in a cloud of comforts Free from all the worldly problems.
Oh Lord of the whole Universe



Mät pitä tum mere, Sharañ paðoon main kiski Swami

sharan paðoon main kiski, Tum bin aur na doojã
Prabhu bin aur na doojã, Ãs karoon main jiski. Om
jai Jagdish hare


Thou art Mother and Father At Thy feet I seek eternal truth Lord,
at Thy feet I seek eternal truth There's none other than Thee,
Lord There's none other than Thee, Lord Guardian of all our
hopes. Oh Lord of the whole Universe


 तु
म पू
रण परमात्मा,


तु
म अन्त मी।

र्या

स्वामी तु
म अन्त र्या
मी,


पारब्रह्म परमे
श्वर॥


ॐ जय जगदीश हरे
॥



तु
म करुणा के सागर,


तु
म पालनक र्ता
।


स्वामी तु
म पालनक र्ता
,


मैं
मूरख खल कामी॥


ॐ जय जगदीश हरे
॥



तु
म हो एक अगोचर,


सबके प्राणप ति।


स्वामी सबके प्राणप ति,


किस वि धि मिलँ
ूदयामय॥


ॐ जय जगदीश हरे
॥

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Tum pooran Paramatam, Tum Antaryami Swami

tum Antaryami, Pär Brahm Parameshwar Pär

Brahm Parameshwar, Tum sabke swami Om jai

Jagdish hare



Thou art Godly perfection Omnipotent Master of all Lord,

omnipotent Master of all My destiny's in Thy Hand My destiny's in

Thy Hand Supreme Soul of all Creation Oh Lord of the whole

Universe

Tum karuñã ke sågar, Tum pälan kartã

Swami tum pälan kartã, Main moorakh khal-

akhami Main sevak tum swami, Kripã karo Bhartã

Om jai Jagdish hare




Thou art an ocean of mercy Gracious protector of all Lord,

gracious protector of all I'm Thy humble devotee I'm Thy humble

devotee Grant me Thy divine grace Oh Lord of the whole Universe




Tum ho ek agochar, Sab ke präñ pati

Swami sab ke präñ pati, Kis vidhi miloon Gosai

Kis vidhi miloon Dayalu, Tum ko main kumati Om jai

Jagdish hare

Thou art beyond all perception Formless and yet multiform

Lord, formless and yet multiform Grant me a glimpse of Thyself

Grant me a glimpse of Thyself Guide me along the path to

Thee Oh Lord of the whole Universe



दीनबंधुदु
खह ,र्तातु
म रक्षक मेरे.. करूणा
हस्त बढ़ाओ, द्वार पड़ा तेर.े...

विशय विकार मिटाओ, पाप हरो देवा. श्रद्धा

भ क्ति बढ़ाओ, संतन की सेवा.....

ॐ जय जगदीष हरे,स्वामी जय जगदीष

हरेभक्त जनों के संकट, दास जनों के
संकट क्षण मेंदू
र करे,ऊँजय ...





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Deen bandhu dukh harta, Thakur tum mere

Swami Thakur tum mere, Apne hath uthao Apni

sharani lagão, Dwar paða hoon tere Om jai

Jagdish hare



Friend of the helpless and feeble Benevolent saviour of all Lord,

benevolent saviour of all Offer me Thy hand of compassion Offer

me Thy hand of compassion I seek refuge at Thy feet. Oh Lord of

the whole Universe

Vishay vikär mitãvo, Pap haro Devä Swami pap

haro Deva, Shradha bhakti baðhão Shradha

bhakti baðhão, Santan ki sevä Om jai Jagdish

hare,

Surmounting the earthly desires Free from the sins of this life, Lord,

free from the sins of this life Undivided faith and devotion,

Undivided faith and devotion In eternal service unto Thee Oh Lord

of the whole Universe






Om jai Jagdish hare, Swami jai Jagdish hare Bhakt jano

ke sankat, Dãs jano ke sankat Kshañ men door kare,

Om jai Jagdish hare

Oh Lord of the whole Universe Mighty Lord of the whole Universe.

All Thy devotees' agonies All Thy devotees' sor- rows. Instantly

Thou banisheth

Oh Lord of the whole Universe



महालक्ष्म्यष्टकम्स्तोत्र
नमस्तेऽस्तुमहामायेश्रीपीठेसुरपूजिते।

शङ्खचक्रगदाहस्तेमहाल क्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते॥१॥

नमस्तेगरुडारूढेकोलासुरभयंक रि।

स पापहरे
र्व देवि महाल क्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते॥२॥

स ज्ञे
र्व स वरदेर्व स दर्व ष्ट
ु भयङ्क रि।

स दर्व ःुखहरेदेवि महाल क्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते॥३॥

सि द्धिबुद्धिप्रदेदेवि भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदा यि नि।

मन्त्रमूर्तेसदा देवि महाल क्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते॥४॥

आद्यन्तर हितेदेवि आद्यश क्तिमहेश्व रि।

योगजेयोगसम्भूतेमहाल क्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते॥५॥

स्थूलसूक्ष्ममहारौद्रेमहाश क्तिमहोदरे।

महापापहरेदेवि महाल क्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते॥६॥

पद्मासन स्थितेदेवि परब्रह्मस्वरू पि णि।

परमेशि जगन्मात हाल र्म क्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते॥७॥

श्वेताम्बरधरेदेवि नानालङ्कारभूषिते।

जग त्स्थितेजगन्मात हाल र्म क्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते॥८॥

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