An extremely auspicious and joyous festival, Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm in India. On this day to seek prosperity, luck and happiness in the coming year, special Diwali Pooja is performed by Hindus . This pooja is essentially the pooja dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi – the Hindu Goddess of Wealth.

Significance of Diwali Pooja
A significant aspect of Diwali celebrations in India is the Lakshmi Pooja or Diwali Pooja. This puja is a must by everyone especially the business community in India. It is the New Year for many business persons. New account books are opened after paying ritual prayers to the Goddess of Wealth. She is asked to bless the household with wealth and bring prosperity in the coming year. In this context, the Diwali Puja is dutifully carried out in Hindu households.

Diwali Pooja Preparations
It is after sunset Deepawali Pooja is performed . The actual time for Puja is calculated by religious scholars and pandits which is declared in newspapers the previous day. It is very necessary that before the puja starts, the house should be completely neat and clean. All clutters in the house should be disposed. Diyas and candles are lit all around and in front of the house to illuminate the path of Lakshmi Ma. It is said that lighting of lamps ward off evil spirits. Many draw colorful Rangolis in the entrance. Small footprints with rice flour and vermilion are also drawn to indicate the long awaited arrival of Goddess Lakshmi. Oil lamps are kept burning throughout the night. This is believed to guide the path of the Laksmi Ma who is said to arrive secretly at night.

Pooja Items Required in Diwali Puja
Traditional Pooja items include idols of Lakshmi – Ganesh, kalash, roli, mouli, coins, rice grains, kumkum for tilak, betel leaves and betel nuts, incense sticks, camphor, flowers, garlands. For offerings and prasad, sweets and fruits are needed.

How is the pooja performed?
There are various steps of performing the traditional Diwali Pooja in India. It is considered auspicious to start every Pooja by taking Shri Ganesha’s name. In the Laksmi puja also, this is followed. The idols are given a ritual bath and seated on a platform. Ritual worship is carried out. Aarti is sung and prasad is distributed amongst all in the following. It is said that it is only after completion of the puja that fire crackers should be burst. Every family performs this Puja so as to please the Gods to shower them with prosperity and wellbeing . This tradition has been followed for millions of years and continues to be followed as religiously as ever! For more information on traditions read Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja

Other Gods and Goddesses Worshiped During Diwali Pooja
It is to be noted that this Puja is a combined worship of five deities. Lord Ganesha is worshiped first. Ma Lakshmi is worshiped in all her three forms as Mahalakshmi - the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Mahasaraswati - the Goddess of Learning and Mahakali. Another God that is worshipped on Diwali is Lord Kuber - the Treasurer of Gods.

Gambling after Deepawali Pooja
An important tradition that is followed after the Diwali Puja is gambling. Many people after Deepawali Pooja indulge in gambling. The main reason behind this is that it is believed that Goddess Parvati played dice with her consort Lord Shiva on a Diwali night. She later proclaimed that whosoever will gamble on this day would see a prosperous year ahead. This continues even today. Flush and rummy are various card games played with stakes on Diwali, especially in Northern India.