Celebrating Diwali and looking to the forthcoming year to provide success, we carry out certain rituals to thank be thankful for what we have and what we can gain. Learn more about Diwali and Chopda Poojan, wh can participate, and why these ceremonies are auspicious and worth participating in.
About Diwali
Deepawali or Diwali is the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It is the festival of lights: deep means "light" and avali "a row" to become "a row of lights." Diwali is marked by four days of celebration, which literally illuminates the country with its brilliance and dazzles people with its joy.
The Diwali festival occurs in late October or early November. It falls on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik, so it varies every year. Each of the four days in the festival of Diwali is marked with a different tradition. What remains constant is the celebration of life, its enjoyment, and a sense of goodness.
Historically, Diwali can be traced back to ancient India. It most likely began as an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali.
Historically, Diwali can be traced back to ancient India. It most likely began as an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali.
Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, with Lord Vishnu. Others use it as a celebration of her birthday, as Lakshmi is said to have been born on the new-moon day of Kartik.
Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama (along with Ma Sita and Lakshman) from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and set off firecrackers.
About Laxmi & Chopda Poojan
This Laxmi and Chopda (accounting books) Puja is a ceremony to cleanse around you and pray for a new beginning of the year with a clean fresh start and for the year to bring us success and wealth. The Puja (prayers - also spelt Pooja) can be done by everyone, including business owners, families, employees and students. The term "chopda" comes from In the olden days, when business accounts were written in "books" (not using computer software). You will need the list of items found at the end of this article to conduct the puja, and instead of bringing a computer, you can still bring a book to write the prayers on.
We therefore warmly welcome everyone to participate in the Chopda Puja we hold every year, and have your New Year begin with blessings and continued success in a colorful way!
Steps to Conduct the Puja
- Purify your house or room you are conducting the puja in. Clean your house or room properly. Sprinkle Gangajal or water to purify the surrounding
- Set up the platform. Spread the red cloth on a raised platform and keep a handful of grains in the center
- Place the kalash. Place the kalash in the middle. Fill it with 75% of water and put one Supari, one Flower, a Coin and some Rice Grains. Put 5 mango leaves in the kalash and arrange them in a circular design on the neck of the kalash
- Place Goddess Lakshmi. Keep a small Puja thali on the kalash and make a small flat mountain of Rice Grains. Draw a lotus with haldi over it and place the idol or Goddess Lakshmi in the center. Place some coins in front of it.
- Place Lord Ganesha's idol. Lord Ganesha is given first importance in every puja. Therefore, on the right side (South-West direction) of the kalash, place the idol of Ganesha. Apply a tilak of haldi and kumkum. Put some rice grains on the idol. Light a Diya with Ganapati Puja Oil and White Wick to get the blessings of Lord Ganesha
- Place books/wealth related items. Now place some books or anything related to your business or wealth besides the arrangement
- Light Diya. Light a Panch Mukhi Diya (oil lamp with 5 wicks) with Lakshmi Puja Oil along with Lakshmi Grace Wick and place it in a thali along with some Haldi, Kumkum and Rice Grains. (sandalwood paste, saffron paste, abeer and gulal are optional)
- Start the Puja/Aarti. Start the puja by applying tilak to the kalash. Apply the same to the lota that is filled with water. Now offer some flowers to each of them
- Recite Diwali Puja mantra. Take some rice and flowers. Join your hands together and close your eyes. Recite the Diwali Puja mantra of Goddess Lakshmi or just chant her name and meditate for few minutes to invoke her
- Offer flower. Offer the flower and rice grains to the Goddess after the prayer
- Bathe the idol of Lakshmi. Now pick up the idol of Lakshmi and place it in a thali. Bathe it with water followed by Panchamrita. Clean it with water again. Wipe the idol and place it back on the kalash
- Put the garland. Now apply Haldi and Kumkum (sandal paste, saffron paste, abeer or gulal) along with rice to the idol. Place the garland cotton beads around the neck of the Goddess. Place some marigold flower and some Bel leaves. Burn few Agarbatti and Dhoop.
- Offer sweets & coconut. Offer coconut and place a Supari on a Supari leaf. Now put some Haldi, Kumkum and Rice over it. Pour some puffed rice, coriander seeds and cumin seeds over the idol. Place some mithai, Diwali sweets, fruits and money or gold ornaments in front of it.
- Perform Aarti. Worship the idol by performing the Lakshmi Puja Aarti
What to Prepare for the Puja
You will be able to find most, if not all, of these items are your local Indian grocery store.
- Ganesh & Laxmiji Murti
- Suko Maivo
- Prashad
- Coconut/Steel coconut holder (kadash)
- Fresh Flowers
- Rice
- Moong
- Ghee
- Kanku, Abil, Gula
- Bottled Water
- Agarbatti & holder
- Vaat for divo
- Aarti sani & Kapoor
- 2 Whole Fruits
- Thak, Luving, Elchee, Sakar
- Red pen & notebook
- Red Thread
- Coins
- Plates, Bowls, Spoons (steel if possible)
- Panchamrat (Sakar, Yogurt, Milk, Ghee, Honey)
- 2 Diyas
- Tulsi Paan
- Nagarvalna Pan
- Sopari
- Tissues
- Matches or a lighter
- A brand new hard bound book or similar