By Dinesh K. Sharma
NEW DELHI: Most of us know that Diwali is celebrated because on this day Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after killing the demon Ravana and freeing his kidnapped wife Sita from his clutches.
But this festival of lights is more synonymous with the puja/worship of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesh on this day. Why so?
Here are five mythological reasons:
1: According to Hindu mythology, Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, was incarnated on the new moon day of Kartik month of the Hindu calendar during the samudra manthan (churning of the oceans). So Diwali is the birthday of Laxmi.
2: Hindu mythology says the present era called Kaliyuga is Rajo Guna in nature and thus worshipping Laxmi for wealth and prosperity is more useful.
3: Laxmi is worshipped during Diwali because her husband Lord Vishnu is asleep during the quarter of the year in which Diwali falls – from the 11th lunar day of Ashadh to the 11th lunar day of Kartik.
4: Since Diwali marks the death of demon Narkasur by Lord Krishna, the defeat of Bali by Lord Vamana and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after killing Ravana, Laxmi is worshipped as the victory of good is considered auspicious for prosperity.
5: Laxmi is always worshipped with Ganesh whom she adopted from Parvati because she (Laxmi) was childless. As per mythology, Lakshmi decreed that anyone who doesn’t worship Ganesh with her will never become prosperous. Ganesh is also considered the lord of auspicious beginnings.
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