diwali pooja

Tradition of Diwali Pooja

I couldnt help myself not to admire these doorstep drawings, amusing colors and designs! I wish all our doorsteps are that inviting!! Its an indian tradition for a festival called Diwali (not the grape leaves)! Diwali has many legends and religious accounts to it. Lights and diyas are lit to signifying the driving away of darkness and ignorance, as well as the awakening of the light within ourselves. Diwali is a time for family gatherings, food, celebration and pooja. The goddess Laxmi plays a major role in this festival, as do Ram and Sita. This autumn festival is celebrated for five continuous days, of which each one has its own significance.

The house is kept clean and rangoli is drawn at the doorstep to welcome Goddess Laxmi. For the best time for puja, a pandit is consulted. The general things needed for a diwali puja are silver and gold coins, suparis, uncooked Rice, paan leaves, kumkum for applying tilak, mithaai (Indian sweets), camphor, agarbattis (incense sticks), dry fruit (almonds, cashews), flower petals and Lakshmi-Ganesh icon.