Diwali or Deepavali is a festival of lights. An ancient Hindu festival is celebrated in winters i.e. October or November of the year, all over the world which signifies victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. The celebration included lighting of earthen lamps on house steps, windows, and doors, inside and around buildings, shops and especially temples. People clean, paint and renovate their houses and shops before this festival. Puja is conducted of Goddess Lakshami – goddess of wealth and prosperity, especially a night before Diwali. Such pujan are also called as Dhanteras, Dhana Thrayodashi or Dhanalakshmi Puja.

Dhanteras is very important puja for business community. It is believed that pooja of Maa Lakshmi brings prosperity and wealth. So in the evening, the earthen lamps are lit and Dhan-Lakshmi is welcomed into the house or shop. On the door steps or the pathways, Alpana & Rangoli designs are drawn by women of the house including the design of footprints symbolizing the welcome of mother goddess into the house or even the shop. The puja includes, devotional hymns, Aarti, Hawan, and prayers sung for Maa Lakshmi. Sweets and fruits are offered to her and later shared with kith and kin as Prashad. As a custom, people buy jewellery or utensils. There are number of Vedic rituals and customs that needs to be practised on the day of Maa Lakshmi Puja / Diwali Puja.

For details, consult the Hindu Priest & Astrologer, Acharya Prem Bhatt. Contact: 0412653458, Melbourne (Australia)

Navratri – ‘festival of nine nights’ to worship all the nine forms of Goddess Durga, is celebrated in the month of September or October every year. It is also called Sharad Navratri. Furthermore, Navarati is also celebrated during the month of March or April of the year called Vasant Navratri. Goddess Durga is an embodiment of power and energy. She represents the sublime, ultimate, absolute creative energy and have been worshiped since the Vedic times all around the globe by Hindus and others who believe in her.

However, Durga Puja marks victory of Maa Durga representing the truth over the demon Mahishasura. It is considered the largest celebrated festivals of Hindus all over the world. Basically, Durga Puja is included within the Navaratri festival celebrations. In Navaratri, each day of nine days, we worship one form of Goddess Durga. It is also called Nava Durga Parva – festival to worship 9 forms of Maa Durga. Though all the forms of Maa Durga are vital, but the last four to five forms of Maa Durga are extremely significant.

• 1^st Day of Navratri is called Pratipada. Maa Shailaputri is worshipped in Shailputri Pujan representing red colour.
• 2^nd Day of Navratri is called Dwitiya and Maa Bhramhacharini Pujan is conducted who represents royal blue colour.
• 3^rd Day of Navratri is called Tritiya. Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped and she represents yellow colour.
• 4^th Day of Navaratri is called Chaturthi. Maa Kushmanda is worshipped. Types of puja conducted are Bhowma Chaturthi, Upang Lalitha Vrat and Puja, She represents Green colour.
• 5^th Day of Navaratri is called Panchami. Maa Shkanda is worshipped and we conduct Gauri Vrat, Shanda Maa Pujan and Maa Saraswati Pujan on that day. Goddess represents grey colour.
• 6^th Day of Navaratri is called Shashthi, where Maa Katyayani is worshipped and Maa Katyayani Pujan is conducted. She represents orange colour.
• 7^th Day of Navaratri is called Saptami. Maa Kaalratri is worshipped and she represents white colour. Even Maa Saraswati Pujan is conducted on this auspicious day.
• 8^th Day of Navaratri is called Ashtami which is dedicated to Maa Gauri who is worshipped in Mahagauri pujan, Sandhi Pujan. She represents pink colour.
• 9^th Day of Navaratri is called Navami where Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped. Types of Puja conducted are Ayudha Puja as well as Kanya Pujan. She represents sky blue colour.

Navrati or Durga Puja conducted at home or shop bestows prosperity and happiness. Success and wealth is no doubt irresistible. An overall defence shield against evil forces – Shakti Kawach is established by this pujan. For details, consult the Hindu Priest & Astrologer, Acharya Prem Bhatt. Contact: 0412653458, Melbourne (Australia)

During the spring season, in the month of February, on the day of ‘Vasant Panchami’, we celebrate birthday of Goddess Saraswati at temples, homes and even schools, colleges and educational institutes. Goddess Saraswati is considered ocean of knowledge, wisdom, learning, fine arts, science and technology. White colour represents purity and knowledge. Thus, mother Saraswati is dressed with white coloured saare and garments. It is considered the most auspicious day to lay foundation of education for pre-school children who are given first lessons of writing and reading.

After carrying out morning ablutions and bathing, a Kalash is established and Lord Ganesh, Sun God, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Maa Saraswati are worshipped. Though there are variations in performing puja all over the world, but prayers are offered to Goddess Saraswati by chanting or singing various verses like:

Yaa Kundendu Tushaara Haara Dhavalaa, Yaa Shubhra Vastraavritha|

Yaa Veena Vara Danda Manditakara, Yaa Shwetha Padmaasana||

Yaa Brahmaachyutha Shankara Prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha|

Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha Jaadyaapahaa||

Well, the English translation is as follows:

“May Goddess Mother Saraswati, fair alike the jasmine colored moon, and pure white garland is similar to icy dew drops;

Adorned in glowing white garb, and Veena rests in beautiful arms, moreover, whose throne is a white Lotus;

Is encircled and worshipped by the Gods, please protect me. Completely abolish my fatigue, laziness, and ignorance.”

For details, consult the Hindu Priest & Astrologer, Acharya Prem Bhatt. Contact: 0412653458, Melbourne (Australia)