Diwali is a Hindu Festival, that is considered to be one of the important festival, in the Hindu religion. It is also known as the Festival of Lights. Indian Government has also declared, this day as an official holiday. Including India, it is also an official holiday in Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, etc. The festival of crackers begin with the Lakshmi Pooja and later that evening people burst crackers, in order get rid of the evil force. This festival falls in the dark night of the month Kartika, in Bikram Sambat calendar and in the month of Aippasi, according to the Tamil calendar. Due to this difference, this festival falls in the month October or November, according to the Gregorian calendar.
This festival is celebrated with different rituals depending on the region. In most parts of India, this festival starts with Dhanteras on first day, Naraka Chaturdasi on Second day, Diwali on Third day, Diwali padva on fourth day and ends with Bhai Dooj on fifth day. This system is followed mostly in Northern and Western parts of the country. The first day ‘Dhanteras’, usually falls after 18 days of Dusshera.
This festival is celebrated for acknowledging the return of Lord Rama, with Devi Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, to Ayodhya, after defeating demo King Ravana
Rituals and Celebrations of Diwali Lakshmi Pooja 2018:
All the people in India and Nepal, follow this special day and they clean their houses and their work places on this day. They also purchase gifts, dresses, new utensils or jewellery on this day. They prepare sweets in their home. They decorate the entrance of their home with colourful rangoli designs, as a sign of welcoming Goddess Lakshmi into their home. After the preparations, they perform puja, where they worship Goddess Lakshmi, with sweets, dresses and flowers, to bless them with Wealth and Prosperity. After this pooja, everyone wear new dresses. People from all age groups start bursting crackers and light the environment to get rid of the evil energy, around us.
Date, Puja Time and Muhurat of Diwali Lakshmi Pooja 2018:
Since this falls in the dark night of the month Ashwin, according to the Hindu Calendar Vikram Samvat, this may tend to vary according to the Gregorian calendar. This festival falls in the month of October or November. It is believed that the most auspicious time for puja is in the evening time.
- Date: Wednesday, November 7, 2018
- Lakshmi Puja Muhrat: 20:29 – 21:51
- Duration: 1 hours 21 minutes
- Pradosh Kaal: 19:46 – 21:51
- Vrishabha Kaal : 20:29 – 22:51
