Main Diwali

Diwali: the actual day of Diwali, is celebrated on the third day of the festival, when the moon completely wanes and total darkness sets in the night sky.

Diwali also celebrates the return of Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya from a war in which he killed the demon king Ravana. It is believed that the people lit oil lamps along the way to light their path in the darkness. This is the reason, why the festival is celebrated a day earlier in South India since Lord Rama travelled from the south to his kingdom in the north. In North India, the festival is held on the final day of the Vikram calendar. The following day marks the beginning of the North Indian new year, and is called Annakut.

On the third day of Diwali or the Main Diwali is the day when Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. People celebrate this with a lot of enthusiasm. All the houses are illuminated and people forget their differences and go to the temple for worship. Diwali is the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business and businessmen perform Chopda Puja on this day on the new books of accounts.

Main Diwali celebrations
On the dark new moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth .The Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and they worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

The evening of this day is really interesting. People lit earthen clay lamps with a wick and oil. Even electric lights of different patterns are used. And then the day ends with a mega cracker bursting sessions. People spend thousand of rupees in the fire works. They wear new clothes, give greetings and gifts and embrace each other.

Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities:

• Vishnu: Happiness (happiness and satisfaction).
• Indra: Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth).
• Kuber: Wealth (one who gives away wealth).
• Gajendra: Carries the wealth.
• Lakshmi: Divine Energy (Shakti) which provides energy to all the above activities.

Ganesha is worshiped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta;Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in her three forms - Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money),Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali; Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshiped.