How to do simple Ganesha and Lakshmi pujas on 5 days of Diwali

About Festival of Diwali (Deepavali)

The 5 days 'festival of lights', Diwali or Deepavali, is one of the biggest festivals for Hindus, celebrated in the different states of India, following different styles, traditions and rituals. Houses and workplaces are decorated with electric lights, entrance doors lit with Diyas(oil lamps) & adorned with colourful Rangolis,, gifts are exchanged, good food and sweets are eaten and most importantly Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits every dwelling on Diwali.

On each of the 5 days of Diwali mostly all Hindu households perform Ganesha and Lakshmi puja and Aarti to usher in the Divine blessings of abundance. Offices, shops, business places also perform the Ganesh-Lakshmi puja. Traditionally Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Education, knowledge, is also worshipped along with Lord Ganesha and Maa Lakshmi.

How to do Simple Ganesha and Lakshmi Pujas on 5 days of Diwali?

As a precursor to the festival, all dwelling places, workplaces are cleaned thoroughly, discarding old, unused objects or items. Special care is taken to clean Puja Alters and decorating them.

Diwali Day 1- Dhanteras

In the 5 days of Diwali festival, the first day is the day of Dhanteras, in which 'Dhan' means wealth. On this day, as a symbol of wealth, traditionally, people buy Gold or Silver in the form of ornaments, Coins, Bricks etc. Metal utensils or household items, like electronic goods are also bought on this day as a symbol of wealth.

In the evening, 13 Diyas or oil lamps, preferably Earthen lamps are lit outside the main door, Maa Mahalaxmi (Lakshmi) and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on Dhanteras by offering home-made sweets, fresh flowers and families gather to perform a small Puja and Aarti with Ghee Lamp, Incense along with devotional Aarti songs/Mantra chanting of the Deities.

Diwali Day 2 - Narakchaturdashi

Narakchaturdashi is also known as 'Choti Diwali'. This day is celebrated in different ways in different regions of India. There are many Mythological stories, legends too, to the various celebrations of Narakchaturdashi. Everything is kept well lit as Goddess Lakshmi is believed to like it that way.

Mythology says, Goddess Kali demolished the Demonic Asura Raktabija on Narakchaturdashi, because of which it is also called Kali Chaudas. Maa Kali is worshipped on this day, especially, in states like West Bengal, Orissa, Assam. It is an energetically powerful day, like an end of an old cycle and new things in life.

Abhyanga Snan (holy bathing) is what Southern states of India follow.

Diwali Day 3 - Main Diwali Day and most important for Ganesha and Lakshmi Puja

The atmosphere on this day is of celebration. it is the most important day to worship Lord Ganesha and Lakshmi Puja.

At an auspicious time in the evening, after Sunset, the Ganesha and Lakshmi puja is conducted.

Simple VIdhi or Procedure for Ganesha and Lakshmi Puja:

• Clean the place where you will set up the alter properly, sprinkle Gangajal to sanctify the place.
• The idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati are washed, patted dry with a clean cloth. If you have Shree Yantra you can worship that too,
• Traditionally, the altar is covered with a fresh Red cloth and decorate with Flowers, put four Diyas on the Four Corners of the Puja Alter/pedestal. Keep a handful of Wheat or Rice grains in the centre of the Alter.
• A Kalash/pot of Bronze or Silver is to be placed in the middle of the grains. Now fill the pot with three fourth water and put a coin, one Betel Nut/Supari, one Genda Marigold flower and place 5 Mango leaves on the top of the pot rim circularly.
• Place the idol of Lord Ganesha on the right of the pot or Kalash and Goddess Lakshmi idol in the centre.
• In a metal(Steel or Silver) plate makes a keep rice grain in a small heap and flatten it from the top. On top of this, with Turmeric/Haldi, draw a Lotus flower and add some coins(Silver coins preferably) on it, put this plate on top of the pot and place Goddess Mahalaxmi's idol, Shree Yantra on top of it.
• Invoke Lord Ganesha and worship Him, with flowers, Durva etc.
• You may keep things related to your profession near the Alter.
• Light Ghee Lamp, offer Haldi, Kumkum, flowers to the Alter. Lotus is a favourite flower of Maa Mahalakshmi and it is said to please Her when offered.
• Invoking the Goddess of Water offer a bit of KumKum and Haldi to the water which you have kept for performing the Puja.
• Invoke Maa Lakshmi by chanting Her Mantras, focusing on Her with flowers in your hand.
• Now, place Goddess Lakshmi idol in a steel/ Silverplate and bathe it with the Water for Puja.
• Wipe it with a soft dry cloth and place it back where it was on top of the Kalash.
• One by one offer Sandal paste, a paste of Saffron, Perfume, Haldi, Kumkum, Gulal and Abeer, a garland of Cotton beads to Maa Lakshmi.
• Make offerings of flowers, light incense sticks or dhoop.
• Make offerings of Sweets, fresh Fruit, Coconut, Betel Leaf to Maa Mahalakshmi.
• Now with a grateful attitude, worship your cashbox/safe, where money and jewellery are kept.
• Perform Aarti of Lord Ganesha, Maa Lakshmi with your family. Blowing the Conch is considered auspicious, especially because Maa Lakshmi is pleased with the sound because of Lord Vishnu holds a Conch in one of His hands.
• Pray to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, Maa Saraswati for the fulfilment of your wishes. Supplicate in front of the Alter with devotion.
• Distribute the Prasad among all and be joyous.

Diwali Day 4 - Balipratipada (Padwa), Govardhan Puja

Celebrated as New Year in a few regions of India, so Ganesha and Lakshmi Puja is performed. On this day Govardhan Parvat (mountain) is also worshipped.

Diwali Day 5 - Bhai Dooj, Bhau-Beej

A day when the sisters put Tika on their brother's forehead as a symbol of safety and security of the brother, so that no harm can touch him.