Diwali is an observation dedicated solely to the divine worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the remover of Darkness in the form of ignorance and the bestower of Light in the form of knowledge, peace, good health and prosperity.
Deepavali is a 5 days of celebration which is noted below:
--- Wednesday 3rd November - Pradosh Dhan Teras - Devotees light 2 diyas, place one at the altar and the other one outside of the door. Offer prayers to Yam Bhagwan (yes, the God of death). This prayer helps to remove untimely deaths (like suicides) from the family for this lifetime and subsequent births. Prayers to Yam Raj means he will only come when it is needed.
--- Thursday 4th November - Narak Chaturdasi - Devotees light 2 diyas, place one at the altar and the next outside the door. Again, prayers are offered to Yam Raj. Devotees ought to wake up very early and fetch water on their heads in a "ghahri", a large "pot" to take a bath. This bath will protect the devotees from hell.
---Friday 5th November - Maha Lakshmi Puja - Deepavali -This is the darkest night of the month. Devotees wake up in the wee hours of the morning, take a bath and prepare to perform Maha Lakshmi Puja. Milk, dhahee, ghee, honey and sugar are used to make prasadam for Goddess Lakshmi. Maha Lakshmi Puja is also conducted in the evening and many diyas is lit and placed all over the house. This all merciful, loving Mother Lakshmi destroys the enemies, old age and pain of the devotees. Mother Lakshmi also showers all kinds of blessings upon Her children.
---Saturday 6th November - Amawasya - Goberdhan Puja -This is the first day of the bright half of the month. On this day Puja is performed for Lord Krishna who lifted the huge Goberdhan Mountain to protect His devotees and all mankind for that matter. Pray to Bhagwan Shri Krishna on this day.
--- Sunday 7th November - Bhai Dooj -End of Deepavali - This is a celebration for sisters and brothers. The sister invites her brother to her house, cook all sorts of delicacies with her own hands and offers them to her brother. Both sister and brother prays for God's protection and grace.
More than ever, all of us need Maa Lakshmi's grace in our lives. Let us collectively on Deepavali Day pray to this all Merciful Universal Mother with unflinching faith, sincerity, love and devotion to bless all, especially our less fortunate sisters and brothers around the world. Let us also take a stand that in our own little ways, we will learn to share our riches to the less fortunate people however way we possibly can.
Shubh Diwali to one and all. May Jagajanani Maha Lakshmi Devi showers Her blessings to all in this world.
The all Merciful Mother Lakshmi
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