Diwali Special: Invoke the Blessings of Goddess Lakshmi with Vedic Rituals

Lucknow. On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha holds significant importance. This year, a rare celestial alignment is occurring on this day, as per astrologers. According to them, several auspicious yoga combinations are forming on the Amavasya of Kartik month. Performing the worship of Goddess Lakshmi in these yogas is believed to bring immense growth in wealth, income, happiness, and prosperity. The formation of the highly fortunate Saubhagya Yoga is predicted on Diwali, considered highly auspicious by astrologers. They recommend engaging in positive activities during this yoga. Additionally, on the Diwali date, Agnivasa will be present on Earth, making rituals and havans especially rewarding.

On Diwali, the moon will be in Libra, joining Mars and the Sun, forming a Trigrahi Yoga. This alignment, with the auspicious influence of Jupiter in Aries, creates the Gajakesari Rajayoga. Furthermore, Saturn is transiting its Mooltrikona sign, Aquarius, after 30 years, enhancing the positive effects for Vrish, Tula, and other zodiac signs.

**Materials for Lakshmi Puja:**

Statues of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, Kumkum, Roli, Betel nut, Coconut, Rice grains, Ashoka or Mango leaves, Turmeric, Lamps, Incense, Camphor, Cotton wick, Brass lamp, Red thread, Curd, Honey, Ganges water, Flowers, Fruits, Wheat grains, Barley, Darbha grass, Vermilion, Sandalwood, Panchamrit, Sweets, Jaggery, Red cloth, Square wooden platform, Lotus bead garland, Kalash, Conch shell, Plate, Silver coin, Seat for sitting, and Prasad.

**Puja Preparation:**

Clean your house thoroughly in the morning. Light lamps in the house temple after bathing. In the evening, sprinkle Ganges water for purification. Place a square wooden platform, spread red cloth on it, and keep a handful of wheat in the center. Set up a Kalash filled with water next to it, adding a coin, betel nut, a ball of vermilion, and rice grains. Cover the Kalash with a small plate, placing rice on top. Create a square using turmeric around the Kalash, and place the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on it. Keep a plate with turmeric, kumkum, and rice, along with a lit lamp.

**Lakshmi Puja Procedure:**

Start the puja by applying tilak to the Kalash. Meditate on Goddess Lakshmi with flowers and rice in your hands. After meditation, offer flowers and rice to the idols. Lift both idols onto a plate and give them a bath with a mixture of milk, curd, honey, tulsi, and Ganges water. After a clean water rinse, place them back on the platform. Apply tikka to the idols, adorn them with garlands, and offer toys, sweets, fruits, money, and gold ornaments. Gather as a family, listen to the stories of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, and then perform the aarti.

**Auspicious Muhurat for Diwali Puja:**

Diwali falls on Sunday, November 12, 2023. The best time for Vrishabh Lagna (evening) is from 05:39 PM to 07:35 PM, lasting for 1 hour and 56 minutes. For Simha Lagna (midnight), it is from 12:10 AM to 02:27 AM, lasting for 2 hours and 17 minutes. Amavasya begins on November 12, 2023, at 02:44 PM and ends on November 13, 2023, at 02:56 PM. The auspicious time for puja is from 05:39 PM to 08:16 PM.