Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time of joy, celebration, and family gatherings. One of the most exciting parts of Diwali is the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha! Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and good fortune, and people invite her into their homes to bring prosperity and happiness for the year ahead. She represents all the good things we hope for, like success and abundance.

On the other hand, Ganesha, with his elephant head and cheerful smile, is known as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom. Before starting anything new, like a business or a project, people pray to Ganesha to ensure everything goes smoothly. Together, Lakshmi and Ganesha bring a perfect mix of good luck and smart choices, making them the stars of the Diwali celebrations!

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Why do we worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on Diwali?

According to a legend, Maa Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu engaged in a thoughtful conversation. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, expressed her desire to use her divine powers to bring abundance to everyone. She felt proud of her achievements, but there was a hint of arrogance in her tone. To humble her, Vishnu gently pointed out that women who had never experienced motherhood were not truly complete. This remark struck a chord, and Lakshmi felt disheartened.

Seeking fulfilment and a sense of wholeness, Lakshmi approached Maa Parvati, the mother goddess, and expressed her longing to adopt Ganesha, Parvati’s beloved son. She believed that having Ganesha would bring her the motherhood she craved.

As the days passed, Vishnu fell into a deep sleep, a state that lasted from the 11th lunar day of Ashadha to the 11th lunar day of Kartik. During this period, Lakshmi would shower blessings of wealth and abundance upon those in need. This time was particularly special, as it encompassed Diwali, a festival celebrated with great fervour.

In the age of Kaliyuga, people yearned for prosperity, riches, and luxury. It was commonly advised to worship Vishnu to please Lakshmi, but since he was asleep, devotees chose to honour Maa Lakshmi directly during Diwali.

Maa Parvati, however, was concerned. She feared that Lakshmi, without a constant home, might struggle to care for Ganesha. But Lakshmi reassured her, explaining that those who neglect to worship Ganesha would miss out on her blessings. Upon hearing this, Parvati felt relieved and agreed to allow Ganesha to accompany Lakshmi.

Thus, it became customary to celebrate Diwali with both Lakshmi and Ganesha. Before beginning any new venture, people would seek Ganesha’s wisdom and blessings, as he was known to remove obstacles and bring good fortune.

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Seeking blessings and prosperity

In Kaliyuga, the desire for wealth and luxury united people in their celebrations. As they welcomed Lakshmi and Ganesha into their homes during Diwali, they did so with hearts full of hope for prosperity and abundance in the coming year.

During Diwali families clean every corner of their homes, sprinkle holy water, prepare delicious sweets, and adorn their surroundings with diyas and colourful rangoli. They exchange gifts with loved ones and perform aarti to please both Maa Lakshmi and Ganesha.

Happy Diwali!

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