Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Lights of Diwali


Somehow I find myself always having an affinity with the goddesses of the arts and beauty. Yeye Oshun has been for me a symbol of gaiety and elegance. Brighid of the Gaels provides me with artistic inspiration and the energy to turn it into craft. Now I pray to Maha Lakshmi, the lotus goddess of wealth, for material providence and sustenance - because the reality nowadays is that art and beauty often costs money. I was also feeling a need to get acquainted with the vedic gods being that the Philippines is a part of Greater India.

The feast of Diwali is traditionally a time to make puja to Lakshmi. Being my first time to do puja I made a  research on the internet, and gods, the information was very overwhelming. Aside from the procedure and materials needed, it is also of course necessary to know what each act, gesture or material offering symbolizes to get a deeper significance out of it.

Thankfully Taj grocery in Makati sells a puja ritual kit for only 100 pesos, which is a great value considering it is packed with almost all the ingredients needed to do puja - different colored kum kum powders, incenses, camphor, mauli thread for decorations, janeau thread to be used as wicks for ghee lamps, a small bottle of anointing perfume, a small clay dish, a mantra booklet which is unfortunately written in devanagari, and lots and lots of different offerings.  

Even with all the preparation, I wasn't sure if I did everything 'right'. By the start of my puja prayer I just let go of my anxiety and let Maha Lakshmi know that I did all I can with utmost sincerity.

Drawing a swastika and lotus flowers on the kalasha, a symbol of Lakshmi


Offerings of kumkum-colored rice, seeds, nuts, grains, and a bottle of anointing oil.


Mixing aksatha (uncooked rice) with sindoor powder.


Lotus rangoli (mandala-shaped art) made from abeer, sindoor and gulal powder.


Aarti plate containing diyas (lamps). The flowers are more than just decoration, the coronets of baby's breath stems holds the lamps into place.



Making a panchamitra of milk, ghee, sugar, honey and yogurt (traditionally curd) to be used to bathe the Hindu statues.


The sacred mauli thread is worn during and after the puja.


The puja items are now prepared.


Burning camphor purifies the space.


The diyas are lit on the aarti plate.


Shri Maha Lakshmi sits on the rangoli wearing a garland. The rangoli sits on the purna-kalasha which is placed on kumkum-colored rice on a banana leaf. It is filled with water, coin, leaves and other items related to Lakshmi. Offerings are placed nearby.

A puja is also made to Ganapati.

दिवाली की शुभकामनाएं
Basbasan Nawa!

6 comments:

Rajan said...


Repair My Phone Today repair shop located in Oxford. We repair smartphones, tablets and computers near Oxford.
Mac Repair Oxford
Apple iMac Repair Oxford
Macbook Air 13 inch touch Repair Oxford

Imshamshad said...



Diwali is most popular and biggest Festival of lights in Hinuds calendar. Diwali is the commemorates to lord RAM's return to his kingdom Ayodhaya. People decorate their home with Diyas and lights. This october 2019 ,Diwali will be celebrated all over the world . Get all related such as History of Deepavali, Happy Diwali in tamil,Happy Diwali HD wallpapers, Deepavali calendar 2019 and amazing Diwali ClipArts 2019, Happy Diwali in tamil, Deepavali covers,Happy deepavali whatsapp images and send it to your friends and family. You can also learn different ritual and religious activities as Lakshmi puja. Diwali vidhi,done by Hindus on Diwali every year.
We wish you a Dipawali 2019


Imshamshad said...


Diwali is also Known as Deepavali or Divali. It is the biggest festival of Hindus and celebrated all over the world with joy. On this day, Lord Ram had returned to Ayodhaya after completing exile for 14 years. Diwali is a way to commemorate Ram every year.On this day, People share Gifts ,Cards, sweets with friends and realtives, To get more details about pooja and latest HD wallpapers 2019, Diwali 2019 status, Diwali 2019 Rangoli . you can visit Happy Deepavali 2019

Viral Hits said...

Igstories is an online web application to download and watch ig stories and instagram highlights viewer anonymously for absolutely free. You can also visit tik tok free hearts and instagram auto views

Pakistan Updates said...

This is a great inspiring article. I am pretty much pleased with your good work. You put really very helpful information. Really insightful and well-written article. Again thanks for your reviews and will definitely be back for some tips and tricks. Such an amazing post !! I am inspired by your work and got some great ideas. It really gives me information that I am looking for. Thanks and keep sharing This is a great inspiring article. I am pretty much pleased with your good work. You put really very helpful information.
eid milad un nabi status video download
eid milad un nabi status download
eid milad un nabi status in hindi
eid milad un nabi status 2019
eid milad un nabi status video
eid milad un nabi status in english
eid milad un nabi status in urdu
eid milad un nabi status image
eid milad un nabi status facebook
eid milad un nabi status whatsapp
eid milad un nabi status whatsapp download
eid milad un nabi whatsapp new
eid milad un nabi whatsapp free download
eid milad un nabi whatsapp video
eid milad un nabi whatsapp 2019
eid milad un nabi whatsapp video download mp4
eid milad un nabi whatsapp download mp4
jashn e eid milad un nabi status
eid e milad un nabi mubarak status
eid e milad un nabi whatsapp status download
eid milad un nabi wishes status

Euro T20 Slam Live Streaming

jocelyn addison said...

amazing blog thank you so much for sharing this blog. Diwali is a festival of light. this blog explains details about Diwali festival.
Diwali Indian Food Online
buy prayer kit for diwali
for more details CLICK HERE

Post a Comment

 
Design by Free WordPress Themes | Bloggerized by Lasantha - Premium Blogger Themes | Affiliate Network Reviews
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...