Diwali Puja
Diwali Puja (दिवाली पूजा) is the Hindu ritual worship performed during the festival of Diwali (Deepavali), the festival of lights. It is one of the most important annual puja observances in Hinduism, dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Ganesha (remover of obstacles).
Overview
Diwali Puja is performed on the night of Diwali (the new moon of the Hindu month of Kartik, October-November) to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and Lord Ganesha for the removal of obstacles. The practice is described in the Puranas and is observed across all Hindu communities. The puja is performed in the evening, after the lighting of diyas (oil lamps) and the bursting of firecrackers.
Method
The practitioner cleans and decorates the home, particularly the puja room. A special altar is set up with images or idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha, along with other puja items. The practitioner performs the puja by lighting a lamp (diya), offering flowers, incense, and food (naivedya) to the deities, while chanting mantras (such as the Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra or the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam). The puja concludes with the offering of arati (waving of the camphor flame) and the distribution of prasadam.
Benefits and Purpose
Traditional texts claim Diwali Puja:
- Invokes the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity
- Removes obstacles through the grace of Lord Ganesha
- Purifies the home and the family
- Is one of the most important annual puja observances
- Celebrates the victory of light over darkness
Verification Notes
- Diwali Puja is described in the Puranas and other texts.
- The practice is observed across all Hindu communities in India and abroad.
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).