Lakshmi Puja is an integral part of Diwali, celebrating the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to have descended to Earth on this day.
“Lakshya” means aim or objective, and Lakshmi is the one who
has the object and aim of uplifting mankind. Lakshmi is the Goddess of light,
beauty, good fortune, power, luxury, fertility, auspiciousness, and wealth. She
holds the promise of spiritual and material fulfillment and contentment. Being
the consort of Vishnu, Lakshmi also signifies love and grace. While Lakshmi is
generally worshipped to achieve success, she does not reside long with anyone
who is lazy or desires her only for wealth.
Maha Lakshmi is seen in two forms as Bhudevi and Sreedevi.
Bhudevi is the representation of the material world, and Sreedevi the representation
of the spiritual world.
The ritual symbolizes the triumph of prosperity over
poverty, and families perform it to welcome wealth, success, and good fortune
into their homes and businesses for the coming year.
Hindus (majorly in
northern, western and southern India and Ghotis in West Bengal) believe
that on the night of Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi visits Earth to bless her devotees
and bestow riches and good fortune. As the personification of wealth and
prosperity, worshipping her during Diwali is a way to invite her blessings into
one's life. For many, the occasion marks the beginning of the financial year,
and the puja seeks blessings for success in business ventures. The festival of
lights, Diwali, represents the victory of light over darkness, and the Lakshmi
Puja symbolizes the triumph of prosperity over poverty and abundance over
scarcity. Families clean and decorate their homes, and businesses clean their
offices, to make them welcoming for Lakshmi's arrival. The puja involves
worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and, often,
Lord Ganesha, who is the remover of obstacles. Devotees offer prayers and
perform rituals to welcome the goddess and invoke her blessings for a prosperous
year ahead. Lakshmi Puja is a significant family event, reinforcing bonds and
sharing the joy of the festivities.
Devotees chant mantras and sing the Lakshmi Aarti,
expressing their reverence and seeking the goddess’s blessings for prosperity
and happiness. Lighting diyas is a significant part of the puja, representing
the dispelling of darkness and ignorance. Diyas are placed at the entrance of
homes and throughout the living spaces to invite Goddess Lakshmi into their
lives. Lakshmi Puja gives a great balance to one's spiritual and material
lives. The genuine essence of Diwali is embodied when families light diyas and
give prayers, which not only brings prosperity into their homes but also
fosters a feeling of thankfulness and unity.
Pujas during Diwali
in various parts
North and West India:
On Diwali Day, Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord
Ganesha on the night of Diwali for prosperity and success. Ganesh, the
Vighnaharta, is believed to remove difficulties and hurdles from life, while
Lakshmi is said to bestow good fortune and wealth.
Also, businesse houses often perform Chopda Pujan (worship of
ledgers) on this day to mark the beginning of a new financial year.
South India:
The focus in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is on prayers, family
gatherings, and the lighting of lamps.
East India:
The main festival on
the Diwali day is often Kali Puja mainly the Bangals (originally belonging to
east Bengal), while Shri Lakshmi is worshipped by Ghotis of West Bengal also
referred to as “Dipanwita Puja”. With time tradition has majorly become
Kali Puja by most ghotis and Bangals in West Bengal too. In some areas of
Odisha, such as Dhenkanal, the worship of Gajalakshmi (Lakshmi with elephants)
is particularly famous.
What is Dipanwita and
what is Dipanwita Pujo?
The name Dipanwita means "radiant like the lights of
Diwali" and symbolizes joy, prosperity, and a love of light. Originating
from Sanskrit, it is a traditional Hindu name given to girls, associated with
brilliance and a desire for inner peace and spiritual harmony. With respect to
Laxmi Puja, it means a radiant light, or the brilliant illumination of the
Diwali festival, representing joy, prosperity, and a spreading of light to
others. People with this name are believed to be spiritual, calm, empathetic, and
strive for inner peace.
"Dipanweeta
Pujo" (or Dipanwita Lakshmi Pujo) refers to the Lakshmi Puja performed
during Deepavali (Diwali), where families pray for blessings, wealth, and
prosperity, inviting Goddess Lakshmi into their homes. The name "Dipanwita"
signifies the lighting of lamps (diya) during this festival to dispel darkness
and usher in light and good fortune. This Puja is held on the main day of
Deepavali. The act of lighting lamps ("Dipa") symbolizes the
dispelling of darkness and negativity, welcoming positivity and
renewal.Families worship the goddess, offer prayers, and perform various
rituals to invite her presence into their homes. In some traditions, this puja
also involves the departure of "Alakshmi" (the goddess of ill fortune)
to make way for Lakshmi's blessings.
Another definition:
Dipanwita Puja is a form of Lakshmi Puja that is celebrated during Diwali, or
Deepavali, particularly in the Bengal region of India. Its origin is tied to
both the ancient tradition of worshipping the goddess of wealth and the more
recent synchronicity with Kali Puja in Bengal. The word Deepavali means
"row of lamps" in Sanskrit, and the festivities have long been
associated with the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi. Dipanwita Puja
takes place on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the Hindu calendar month of
Kartik, the same night as the wider Diwali celebrations. It was originally the
worship of Goddess Lakshmi on this Amavasya.The lighting of diyas (oil lamps)
is a central feature. By lighting up their homes, devotees believe they are
inviting Goddess Lakshmi to visit and bless them with good fortune for the
year.The practice of worshipping Lakshmi on this day has been part of Hindu
tradition for centuries, though regional variations have evolved over time.
Are Dipanwita Pujo in
Bengal and Lakshmi Pujo of the remaining part of India same ??
No, Dipanwita Pujo in Kolkata and the main Lakshmi Puja in
North India are not the same; they are celebrated at different times and have
different primary focuses. Both are associated with the goddess Lakshmi, but
the regional traditions vary greatly.
Here is a brief on the differences:
Few accounts relate Dipanwita Pujo to Kali Pujo in Bengal
along with a smaller Laxmi Puja which Ghotis of Bengal usually perform on the
new moon night (Amavasya) of Hindu month of Kartik. Other accounts how refer to
Laxmi Puja of Ghotis of Bengal as Dipanwita Pujo only.
On the other hand north Indian Laxmi puja has main deities
as Laxmi and Ganesha. In Bengal, Dipanwita Puja developed a unique connection
with Kali Puja, which also takes place on the same Amavasya night. While
Lakshmi Puja has ancient roots, the widespread celebration of Kali Puja on
Diwali in Bengal began later. According to some accounts, Kali Puja was introduced
in Bengal in the 18th century by King Krishnachandra of Navadvipa. A scholar
named Kashinath reportedly elaborated on the worship of Goddess Kali in 1768,
leading to the synchronization of Kali Puja with the existing Dipanwita
celebrations. A unique aspect of the Bengali Dipanwita Lakshmi Puja is the
worship and subsequent ritualistic "departure of Alakshmi," Lakshmi's
elder sister who symbolizes misfortune. It is believed that only after Alakshmi
is sent away can the seat for Goddess Lakshmi be prepared.
On the other hand in North India, The main focus is on
welcoming Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, into the home. The
rituals are aimed at inviting blessings of good fortune for the coming year
(which is more similar to Kojagari Laxmi Puja of Bangals of Bengal).
Further to this, Bengali tradition links the day's events to
the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Maa Kali, an act that freed Lakshmi and
other goddesses. The household Lakshmi puja, known as Dipanwita Lokkhi Puja, is
also performed on the same night as Kali Puja, while North Indian folklore
mostly connects Diwali with the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating
Ravana, and the lighting of lamps (diyas) to welcome him.
Going further deep within the Bengal tradition, the cultural
and traditional distinctions amongst Ghotis and Bangals include:
1) While Ghotis Celebrate Laxmi puja on the night of Kali
Puja, corresponding with Diwali, Bangals on Kojagori Purnima, the fifth day
after Durga Puja.
2) Ghotis Typically worship an idol of Goddess Lakshmi
during the puja, while Bangals Traditionally worship a Lakshmi shora, a painted
earthenware plaque representing the goddess.
3) Ghotis Often prefer dishes with a hint of sweetness and
may have a special love for chingri (prawns), while Bangals Often prefer dishes
with a hint of sweetness and may have a special love for chingri (prawns).
4) Ghotis Traditionally use the conch shell (shankha) to
make auspicious sounds during rituals, while amongst Bangals the women of the
household often create the sound of ululation (uludhwani) during ceremonies.
5) The Storm and the Breeze: Due to their conflicted
history, Bangals are considered as the risk-takers, who choose to be adventures
and take-up challenging jobs to sustain in life. On the other hand, the
upbringing of Ghotis are tailored to security and they feel better in their
safe-zones. Due to their high preferences for security, Ghotis tend to settle
in jobs and avoid business. Calm and sorted life is all they ask for.