With Diwali just around the corner, discover why we worship Lakshmi and Ganesha during this festival. Their blessings bring prosperity, wisdom, and harmony into our lives.
Diwali, a celebration of lights and a reminder of the triumph of virtue over evil, is widely celebrated throughout India. We clean our homes, create rangoli, make Diwali sweets, decorate with Diwali diyas , and then do aarti to seek blessings. Diwali falls on the Amavasya of the Ashwin month, although it is still considered an auspicious day. This year's Diwali festival will take place on October 31, 2024, and as always, we will be commemorating Lord Rama's return from 14 years of exile.
Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshiped on the auspicious day of Diwali, ensuring all the rituals. Worshiping Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi is said to bring wealth to the followers' homes, according to Hindu mythology. Diwali puja is performed at night at a specific time. It is known that all of a devotee's desires will be granted if he adheres to the rituals and worshiped the Lord. Just so you know, on Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi manifested herself through churning oceans. In addition, she is regarded as Lord Ganesha's 'Manas Son.' Worshiping them is, therefore, extremely important.
Many people are unaware of the tale behind Maa Lakshmi and Ganesha's puja during Diwali, which we will explain today. The book Kartika-Mahatmya contains a narrative about a poor Brahman who sought advice from a priest. The priest asked the Brahman to worship Maa Lakshmi so that she may give him wealth.
Well, one day, Maa Lakshmi was discussing with Vishnu how she could use her powers to make anyone wealthy and prosperous. She was proud of her accomplishments, yet she seemed more like an egoistic person speaking to Vishnu. So he sought to diminish her ego by telling her that women who have not experienced motherhood are incomplete, which disheartened her. She approached Maa Parvati and requested that she give her Ganesha Ji, bless her with motherhood, and complete her. She liked Ganesha and wanted to adopt him.
While Vishnu Ji was sleeping, Lakshmi would shower the Brahman with mercy and wealth. Vishnu Ji sleeps between the 11th lunar day of Asadh and the 11th lunar day of Kartikey . Hence, Diwali is the most fortunate eve that falls in between. People in Kaliyug , also known as Rajo Guna , seek prosperity, riches, and luxury in their lives. It was also suggested that instead of directly reaching out to Maa Lakshmi, worship Vishnu to appease her. However, because Vishnu Ji is asleep and Shastra advocates directly satisfying Maa Lakshmi, people worship them on Diwali.
Maa Parvati was upset about this because Maa Lakshmi does not have a constant location and may be unable to take care of Ganesha, but Maa Lakshmi told Maa Parvati that if someone does not worship Ganesha, she will not shower her mercy on them. Every time Ganesha prayed with her, she took care of him. This relieved Maa Parvati, and she allowed Ganesha to accompany Maa Lakshmi. As a result, whenever we mention Maa Lakshmi, we also use the name Ganesha Ji. This is one of the reasons we celebrate Diwali with Lakshmi and Ganesh Murti.
Another argument contends that money without wisdom is analogous to chocolate without teeth. You would never know what to do with the wealth you earn, and making the appropriate decision requires knowledge, which may be obtained by worshiping Ganesha Ji. We worship Lord Ganesha before making any investments or starting new projects because of his wisdom and insight. He is the God of success and fortune, and we rely on his insight and wisdom as we accumulate wealth and luxury. Lord Ganesha and Maa Lakshmi are worshiped together to remove barriers and restore harmony.
We clean every nook and cranny of our home, sprinkle Gangajal , make mouthwatering Diwali sweets, decorate with earthen lamps and Diwali diyas , make flamboyant rangoli, use flowers for decoration, exchange gifts with friends and family, set off fireworks, and perform aarti to please Maa Lakshmi and Ganesha Ji. This is Kalyug , and we are united by money and luxury. To get that prosperity and luxury, we bring Lakshmi and Ganesha to our home in Diwali.
We wish you a safe and prosperous Diwali!
Also Read: Durga Puja: Did You Know Soil From Red-Light Areas Are Used To Make Maa Durga's Idols?