The auspicious Diwali season commences on November 10th and extends for five days until November 14th this year. During these five days, you can perform a simple and potent ritual to welcome and invoke the blessings of Goddess Shree Lakshmi, the bestower of wealth.
Begin each of these five days with a refreshing morning shower and don fresh clothes, preferably in shades of red or white.
Prioritize cleaning your home, ensuring it is immaculate by November 10th. Dispose of or donate any unused or lingering items within your household, especially those gathering dust. During these five evenings, maintain utmost cleanliness in your kitchen, particularly after dinner.
If possible, sound a conch shell before commencing the ritual to dispel any lingering negativity.
On the night of November 10th, at the auspicious time specified on this website (please set your location by clicking on the top right corner date text box):
Set up an altar within a room, preferably on its northern or eastern side. Place a fresh or new red cloth on the altar's surface.
Position a framed picture of Lord Vishnu at the center of the altar. To the left of Lord Vishnu's picture, place another framed image containing Lord Ganesh, Goddess of Wisdom Shree Saraswathi, and Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi, all seated together. It is preferable to select a picture where Goddess Lakshmi holds a golden pot with gold coins flowing from it or from her palm.
Wrap a yellow cloth around the frame of Lord Vishnu's picture, securing it with a tie or tape. Do the same with a red cloth for the frame of the picture featuring Ganesh, Lakshmi, and Saraswathi.
On November 10th, prior to sunset, purchase a silver coin featuring embossed images of both Ganesh and Lakshmi. You can find such coins at Indian stores, and some are available online as well.
In addition, obtain a red-colored Mauli thread, which is considered auspicious and can be worn as a wristband or offered to deities.
On November 10th, during the specified muhurat time, follow these steps:
Place the silver coin in front of the Ganesh Lakshmi Saraswathi picture.
Apply kumkum or sindoor (red powder paste) on the foreheads of each deity in the pictures and the center of each picture frame. https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Netra-Sindoor-KumKum-Paste/dp/B08LYC5JTZ
Apply sandalwood paste over the previously applied pastes on the foreheads of each deity in the pictures and the center of each frame. https://www.amazon.com/Sandal-Cools-Chandan-Aromatherapy-religious-meditation/dp/B015KVBQ10/
Apply turmeric paste over the applied pastes on the foreheads of each deity in the pictures and the center of each frame. https://www.amazon.com/Gopuram-Durga-Turmeric-Kumkum-Combo/dp/B09SV6XJDL/
Sprinkle a few whole uncooked white rice grains over the applied pastes on the foreheads of each deity in the pictures and the center of each frame.
Cut a footlong piece of red Mauli thread from the roll and place it on the top frame of the pictures to symbolize the donation of clothing.
Repeat these steps every day throughout the 5-day period, or at the very least, perform them on November 12th during the specified muhurat. https://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/lakshmipuja/festivals-lakshmipuja-timings.html?year=2023
On November 11th, 13th, and 14th, you may carry out the ritual around the same time as on November 10th during the muhurat. Here are the steps to follow:
Pour Ganges water into a glass. https://www.amazon.com/Billion-Deals-Gangajal-Positive-Religious/dp/B07VDDPZPR/
Dip a red-colored flower, preferably a rose or jasmine, and sprinkle the water from the moistened flower over each of the framed pictures.
Sprinkle a few drops of rose or jasmine essential oil over each of the framed pictures.
Light a rose-scented incense stick.
Ignite a clay earthen lamp filled with ghee and a cotton wick.
Place 4 glasses of water in front of the two pictures as an offering.
Position 4 red-colored fruits (such as apples) in front of the two pictures as an offering.
Place brown sugar, candies, or jaggery cubes in a bowl and offer it in front of the two pictures.
Arrange 5 portions of each of 5 different types of dry fruits in front of the two pictures as an offering. These can be combined in a single small bowl.
Place 2 mounds of whole uncooked white rice, one for Lord Kuber (the treasurer of the Gods) and the other for Lord Indra (the king of the Gods).
Set 2 glasses of water in front of the two mounds as an offering.
Position 2 red-colored fruits (apples) in front of the two mounds as an offering.
Offer brown sugar, candies, or jaggery cubes in a bowl in front of the two mounds.
Place 2 portions of each of 5 different types of dry fruits in front of the two mounds. These can also be combined in a single small bowl.
Finally, set 2 red or white-colored flowers in front of the two mounds as an offering.
You are now prepared for the chanting and meditation session. Remember to chant in a soft, nearly inaudible tone. Ensure that your chanting is done while facing the altar, which should be in the northern or eastern direction. Sit on a red cloth placed over an insulating material, such as wood or a woolen blanket.
Begin by performing 10-12 rounds of Anulom Vilom pranayamas. Afterward, focus your attention on your third eye while chanting.
Chant each of the below mantras 108 times (1 mala) in sequence using the respective type of mala: If you would like to chant more malas then each mantra can be chanted for 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 21 malas.
Shiva mantra: "Om Namah Shivay Om" using a Rudraksha mala.
Ganesh mantra: "Om Gum Ganapathaye Namah Om" using a Rudraksha mala.
Vishnu mantra: "Om Namo Bugawathey Vasudevaya Om" using a Tulsi mala.
Lakshmi mantra: "Om Shreem Shraie Namah Om" using a Lotus seed or Crystal mala.
Bhairava mantra: "Om Shreem Swarna Aakarshan Bhairavaye Namah Om" using a Rudraksha mala.
Kubera mantra: "Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Kleem Vitheshwaraya Namah Om" using a Rudraksha mala.
Indra mantra: "Om Im Indraya Namah Om" using a Rudraksha mala.
Following the chanting, sit quietly for 10 minutes, concentrating on your third eye. This concludes the chanting and meditation session. If you don't have a mala, you can simply chant each mantra for 5 minutes while using a timer on your smartphone. Keep your unoccupied palms facing upwards on your thighs while chanting.
Following the completion of the previous ritual, it's advisable to smudge the entire house with the lighted lamp and later allow the lamp to extinguish naturally.
Regarding the food offerings (fruits, candies, dry fruits, etc.), do not give them to anyone outside your immediate family on the same night. Consume these offerings yourself and share them only with close family members (parents, siblings, children) after applying the three pastes and rice on their foreheads. You may also bless your family members by smudging them with the light and warmth from the lamp.
Any remaining food offerings should be shared with others (friends, relatives, etc.) on the following day.
Upon completing the five days of performing the ritual, chanting, and meditation, consider the following:
Preserve the rice grains applied to the deities' foreheads in a container, and keep it on your altar for at least a month.
Safeguard the silver coin in your secure deposit box, where you store your wealth and assets.
Maintain the flower offerings at your altar for a minimum of 10 days, even if they begin to dry up.
Subsequently, offer the dried flowers at the base of trees or plants.
Similarly, offer the rice grains used on the deities' foreheads to the roots of trees or plants after 30 days.
Comments