Complete Guide to Performing Diwali Puja at Home

Setting the Stage for Diwali Puja

Diwali, often referred to as the Festival of Lights, is a time for celebration, reflection, and worship. To create a sacred space for the puja, begin by laying a red cloth on a clean surface. This cloth symbolizes purity and positivity, setting the right tone for the rituals to follow.

Place the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi on this cloth. Position Goddess Lakshmi to the right of Lord Ganesha, ensuring that both deities are facing either east or west. This alignment is essential as it aligns the energy and intention of the puja.

Gathering Puja Materials

Prepare the offerings by placing some coins, jewelry, and five silver coins in front of the idols. These silver coins symbolize the wealth of Kubera, the god of riches. Next, create an asthdhal (eight directions) using akshat (rice grains) around the idol of Lakshmi, which signifies prosperity.

For the kalash (a sacred water pot), fill it with clean water and add a few auspicious items: a piece of sandalwood, durva grass, panchratna (five precious stones), betel nut, and either mango or banana leaves. Top this with a coconut tied with a sacred thread (mouli).

Preparing the Lighting

In preparation for the lighting, set aside two large diyas (lamps) filled with ghee and eleven smaller diyas filled with mustard oil. These lamps symbolize the dispelling of darkness and the welcoming of light into your home.

Before the auspicious time of the puja begins, ensure that everyone in the household is bathed and dressed in new clothes. This ritual helps everyone to be in a pure state, ready to receive blessings.

Performing the Rituals

At the start of the puja, take a flower and dip it in water, then sprinkle this water over the puja items and the participants as a blessing. Following this, perform the traditional purification by washing your hands and taking a sip of water while reciting specific mantras.

Begin with “Om Shivaya Namah” as you drink the first sip, then “Om Narayanaya Namah” for the second, and finally, “Om Madhavaya Namah” for the third. This ritual sets the intentions for the puja and connects the participants with the divine.

Offering Prayers and Items

Place the two large diyas beside the idols of Ganesha and Lakshmi, and one small diya near the kalash. The second diya should be placed in remembrance of ancestors, while the third diya is typically positioned at the entrance of the home to welcome positivity.

Next, show incense sticks and agarbatti (fragrance sticks) to the deities, followed by offering a flower dipped in water to both idols. Sprinkle some flower petals on the kuber coins and the kalash as a sign of respect and devotion.

It’s customary to offer a small piece of moli (sacred thread) to Goddess Lakshmi, while Ganesha receives a sacred thread and kumkum (vermilion powder) for tilak (marking on the forehead), a sign of honor.

Food Offerings and Aarti

As part of the offerings, provide sweets like kheer (rice pudding), batasha (sugar puffs), and other delicacies along with flowers. After placing these offerings, circle water around the area while chanting “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah” and “Om Mahalaxmiye Namah,” invoking blessings for prosperity and success.

Once the offerings are complete, perform the aarti (a ceremonial worship with light) with the diyas, singing the traditional aarti songs. Begin with taking the aarti for yourself, then share it with family members. This is a moment of unity and shared blessings.

Concluding the Rituals

After the aarti, prepare to receive prasad (blessed food). Distribute this prasad among family members, ensuring that each person receives a portion of the blessings. The elders can apply a tilak on the younger family members and provide them with sweets and money as blessings.

To conclude the puja, light the remaining diyas and place them around the home, ensuring they are not facing inward. This symbolizes spreading light and positivity throughout the household.

Post-Puja Activities

On the day following Diwali, it is customary to donate items like sweets and coins to a local temple or to those in need, continuing the cycle of sharing blessings. Remember to maintain a clean and joyful environment at home as you celebrate the festival.

Throughout this process, keep in mind the importance of intention and devotion. Each step in the ritual reinforces the connection to divine energies and fosters a sense of community and family.

Final Thoughts

Celebrating Diwali through puja is not just a ritual; it is an opportunity to reflect on the past year, seek blessings for the future, and strengthen familial bonds. By following these steps, you can create a meaningful and joyous Diwali experience in your home.