Importance of Dhan Teras, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja Festival 2020-21

Importance of Dhan Teras, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja Festival 2020-21
Meaning, Stories and Traditions
लक्ष्मी पूजा महत्व “दि॒यारी” 

ज्योतीरूपसुरागिण्यै दीपलक्ष्म्यै नमो नमः । दिव्यप्रकाशभासिन्यै जगदात्र्यै नमो नमः ॥

  

Diwali – Deepāwali is the Festival of Lights!
Diwali is called Diyāri दि॒यारी ڏِياريءَ

 

 

धनतेरस – धनत्रयोदशी धन्वन्तरी पूजा अभ्यंग-स्नान दीप-दानम यमदीपम् छोटी- दिवाली दीपावली उत्सव, (नंढी-दि॒यारी, वदी॒-दि॒यारी), बड़ी दिवाली उत्सव, धन पूजा सरस्वती, कुबेर पूजा, चोपड़ा-पूजन, दवात, लेखनी-पूजन, (ब॒रु), छप्पन-भोग, गोवर्धन पूजा उत्सव, अन्नकूट उत्सव, बली-प्रतिपदा पर्व, भाऊ-बीज़, भाई दूज, भैया-दूज (चण्डु महिनेवार), पूजन जो मोकलाओ, उत्सव, व्रत त्यौहार कब-कब है भारत, हाँगकाँग और दुनिया भर में वर्ष २०२० से २०२१ तक?
१) धनतेरस पूजा – धनत्रयोदशी तिथि, धन्वन्तरी पूजा संवत् २०७७ (२०७६ गुजराती संवत्) कार्तिकमास कृष्णपक्ष शाके १९४२ शुक्रवार १३ नवेंबर २०२०
२) दीपावलीका दूसरा दिन – छोटी दिवाली तिथि पूजा (नंढी दि॒यारी पूजा), अभ्यंग–स्नान दीपदानम, चतुर्दशी तिथि, रूप–चौदश संवत् २०७७ (२०७६ गुजराती संवत) कार्तिकमास कृष्णपक्ष शाके १९४२ शनिवार १४ नवेंबर २०२०
३) लक्ष्मी पूजा विधिवत् बड़ी दिवाली धन पूजा, सरस्वती, कुबेर पूजा, चोपड़ा–पूजन, दवात, लेखनी–पूजन संवत २०७७ (२०७६ गुजराती संवत्) कार्तिकमास कृष्ण शाके १९४२ चतुर्दशी परं अमावस्या तिथी शनिवार १४ नवेंबर २०२०

छप्पन–भोग, गोवर्धन पूजा उत्सव, अन्नकूट उत्सव, बली–प्रतिपदा तिथि पर्व संवत् २०७७ कार्तिकमास शुक्लपक्ष् शाके १९४२ रविवार १५ नवेंबर २०२०

भाऊ–बीज़, भाई दूज उत्सव, भैया–दूज पर्व–त्यौहार, चन्द्र दर्शन (चण्डु महिनेवार) भारत, हाँगकाँग और दुनिया भर में वर्ष २०२० में संवत् २०७७ कार्तिकमास शुक्लपक्ष् (*कारकत सुद २०७७ गुजराती नवसंवत् एवम् जैन महावीर नवसम्वत् २५४७ प्रारम्भ्) शाके १९४२ सोमवार १६ नवेंबर २०२०

When is Diwali festival in Bharat, Hong Kong & worldwide in Samvat 2077-2078 Sake 1942-1943 during 2020-2021?

In 2020, Deepawali Mahotsav festival, Mahalakshmi-Diwali Pooja is on Saturday 14 November. Main day of Deepavali celebrations in Bharat and Hong Kong.

When is Diwali Mahotsava? Diwali first day Dhan Teras tithi (Dhan Triyodashi – Dhanwantari Teras), Chhoti Diwali second day of Diwali Roop-Chaturdashi and (Abhyang Snaanam) prayers, Diwali festival main day, Annakoot, Chhapan-bhog, Bali prapada, Yama-dwititya, Bhai dooj, New year of Gujarati and Jain Samvat in Bharat, Hong Kong & worldwide in Samvat 2077 (*G 2076/2077) Sake 1942 during 2020?

1) Friday 13 November 2020 Kartik Krishna Samvat 2077 (Gujarati 2076) Dhan Triyodashi Tithi – Dhanvantari Puja – Dhan Teras festival (First day of Diwali Pooja of Laxmi Puja Vidhi procedural prayers).

2) Saturday 14 November 2020 Kartik Krishna Samvat 2077 (Gujarati 2076) Chhoti Diwali (second day of Diwali festival. Chhoti Dipavali puja on Chaturdashi tithi, Roop-Chodus tithi, ).

3) Saturday 14th November 2020 Bari Diwali – Diwali Mahalaxmi Prayers, Diwali celebrations in Bharat and Hong Kong:
Vidhivat Diwali – Deepavali Utsav Laxmi puja (Diyari Parva). Festival of win of truth and celebrations of light in India, Hong Kong and in overseas. Generally, it is a third day of Diwali. It’s being the main and actual day of Diwali. To note, this Kartik Krishna Paksha Samvat 2077 Saka 1942 (during year 2020) Divali Utsav festival is on 14 November, because two tithis the fourteenth (Chaturdashi Diwali festival 14^th thithi and Amavasya Main lunar day digit of the moon lunar day Diwali Mahotsav tithi are appearing together. So, considering as per the tithi nirnaya for the Amavasya tithi no moon day phase of the moon (new moon) for the Diwali, Darsh Amavasya) has particular significance.

 

Sunday 15 November 2020 Kartik Samvat 2077 Annakut – Govardhan festival in Bharat (India) and Hong Kong; It is the next day of Diwali festival celebrations and prayers. It is called Govardhan Puja utsav. Bali Pratipada utsav tithi puja day. Sindhi Baru dinhu.

Monday 16 November 2020 Kartik Masa Sud Samvat 2077 (Gujarati Samvat 2077 begins) Bhai Dooj tithi – Bhaiya Dooj Festival in Bharat (India) and Hong Kong, Nutan varas Gujarati New year Samvat 2077 starts. Jain New Samvatsar year 2547. Mahinevaar-Chand (Masik Chandra Darshan – Monthly Moon viewing during bright fortnight). Particularly thi Samvat 2077 (Gujrati New Year, Jain New Year are happening on the Karkat dwitiya tithi 2^nd lunar day i.e. following day of Diwali Mahotsava).

 

धनतेरस – धनत्रयोदशी धन्वन्तरी पूजा अभ्यंग-स्नान दीप-दानम यमदीपम् छोटी- दिवाली दीपावली उत्सव, (नंढी-दि॒यारी, वदी॒-दि॒यारी), बड़ी दिवाली उत्सव, धन पूजा सरस्वती, कुबेर पूजा, चोपड़ा-पूजन, दवात, लेखनी-पूजन, (ब॒रु), छप्पन-भोग, गोवर्धन पूजा उत्सव, अन्नकूट उत्सव, बली-प्रतिपदा पर्व, भाऊ-बीज़, भाई दूज, भैया-दूज (चण्डु महिनेवार), पूजन जो मोकलाओ, उत्सव, व्रत त्यौहार कब-कब है भारत, हाँगकाँग और दुनिया भर में वर्ष २०२० से २०२१ तक?

१) धनतेरस पूजा – धनत्रयोदशी तिथि, धन्वन्तरी पूजा संवत २०७८ (२०७७ गुजराती) कार्तिकमास कृष्णपक्ष शाके १९४३ मंगलवार ०२ नवेंबर २०२१

२) दीपावलीका दूसरा दिन – छोटी दिवाली तिथि पूजा (नंढी दि॒यारी पूजा), अभ्यंग-स्नान दीपदानम, चतुर्दशी तिथि, रूप-चौदश संवत २०७८ (२०७७ गुजराती) कार्तिकमास कृष्णपक्ष शाके १९४३ बुधवार ०३ नवेंबर २०२१

३) लक्ष्मी पूजा विधिवत् बड़ी दिवाली धन पूजा, सरस्वती-शारदा, कुबेर पूजा, चोपड़ा-पूजन, दवात, लेखनी-पूजन संवत २०७८ (२०७७ गुजराती) कार्तिकमास कृष्णपक्ष शाके १९४३ अमावस्या तिथी गुरुवार ०४ नवेंबर २०२१

छप्पन-भोग, गोवर्धन पूजा उत्सव, अन्नकूट उत्सव, बली-प्रतिपदा तिथि पर्व संवत् २०७८ कार्तिकमास शुक्लपक्ष् (*कारकत सुद २०७७ गुजराती नववर्ष संवत् शुरु) शाके १९४३ शुक्रवार ५ नवेंबर २०२१

भाऊ-बीज़, भाई दूज उत्सव, भैया-दूज पर्व-त्यौहार है, चन्द्र दर्शन (चण्डु महिनेवार) भारत, हाँगकाँग और दुनिया भर में वर्ष २०२१ में संवत् २०७८ कार्तिकमास शुक्लपक्ष् (*कारकत सुद २०७७ गुजराती संवत्) शाके १९४३ शनिवार ६ नवेंबर २०२१

When is Diwali Mahotsava? Diwali first day Dhan Teras tithi (Dhan Triyodashi – Dhanwantari Teras), Chhoti Diwali second day of Diwali Roop-Chaturdashi (Abhyang Snaanam) prayers, Diwali festival main day, in Bharat, Hong Kong & worldwide in Samvat 2078 (*G 2077) Sake 1943 during 2021?

1) Tuesday 02 November 2021 Kartik Krishna Samvat 2078 (Gujarati Samvat 2077) Dhan Triyodashi Tithi – Dhanvantari Puja – Dhan Teras festival (First day of Diwali Pooja of Laxmi Puja Vidhi procedural prayers).

2) Wednesday 03 November 2021 Kartik Krishna Samvat 2078 (Gujarati Samvat 2077) Chhoti Diwali (second day of Diwali festival. Chhoti Dipavali puja on Chaturdashi tithi, Roop-Chodus tithi, Abhyanga snaanam).

3) Thursday 04 November 2021 Bari Diwali – Diwali Mahalaxmi Prayers

Kartik Krishna Paksha Samvat 2078 (Gujarati Samvat 2077) Saka 1943 Diwali celebrations in Bharat and Hong Kong:

Vidhivat Diwali – Main day Third day of Deepavali Utsav Laxmi puja – Mahalakshmi Pooja (Diyari Pooja Parva). Festival of win of truth and celebrations of light in Bharat and in other countries.

 

 Friday 05 November 2021 Kartik Masa Shukla Samvat 2078 (Nutan varas Varshabhinandan Gujarati New year Samvat 2078 Karkat begins) Annakut – Govardhan festival in Bharat (India) and Hong Kong; It is the next day of Diwali festival celebrations and prayers. Govardhan Puja utsav. Bali Pratipada utsav tithi puja day. Sindhi Baru dinhu. Jain New Year Samvat 2548 starts.

Saturday 06 November 2021 Kartik Masa Sud Samvat 2078 (Gujarati 2078) Bhai Dooj tithi – Bhaiya Dooj Festival in Bharat (India) and Hong Kong, Mahinevaar-Chand (Masik Chandra Darshan – Monthly Moon viewing during bright fortnight). Karkat Month dwitiya tithi 2^nd lunar day i.e. following day of Diwali Mahotsava).

Diwali prayers and festival is celebrated by our Hindu Community worldwide:

दीप Deepa – signifies light and ‘avali’ means ‘a row of lights’; (earthen diyās means lamp, light), thus it means rows of lamps.

 

Diwali – Deepāwali is an annual celebration of festival of lights in autumn!

दीपो ज्योति: परं ब्रह्म दीपो ज्योतिर्जनार्दनः ।
दीपो ज्योति हरतु मे पापं दीपो ज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तुते ॥

‘The triumph of good over evil and celebration of Victory of good’
‘removing ignorance, darkness; and awakening of inner-light inner-light’

लक्ष्मी Lakshmi Meaning : “Fortune, prosperity, wealth; Good fortune, good luck, success, accomplishment, beauty, loveliness, grace, charm, splendor. The goddess of fortune, regarded as the wife of Vishnu. (She is said to have sprung from the ocean along with the other precious things or ‘jewels’ when it was churned for nectar by the gods and demons); इयं गेहे लक्ष्मीः (U. 1.39.) Royal or sovereign power, dominion.” (referred from Sanskrit dictionary of Apte-ji year 1890 p.809 col.II)

लक्ष्मी पूजा Lakshmi Pooja: “The worship of Lakshmi performed on the day of new-moon in the month of Kârttika (chiefly by bankers & traders whose commercial or official year closes on that day).” referred from the Sanskrit dictionary of Shri V. S. Apte-ji Poona, 28^th December 1890 edition p.809.

 

Observances Traditional and recent ones : Welcoming goddess with Lights – diyaas, sweets; rangoli, pooja of Ganesh, Laxmi, Dhan, Kubera and Sarasvati at home, offices, shops, factories, restaurants. Lighting diyas in welcoming of Sita Ram’s victorious return. Thanking and paying gratitude towards God to what we already possess; and also to be blessed by Mata for righteous means of earning and spending dhan, wealth; prosperity, good health, knowledge, peace, and name fame blessings. Baru, Bali, Govardhan puja, Gau Pooja, Bhai dooj. Renovation and decoration of house, fireworks, shopping, welcoming new year and books of accounts prayers, applying oil to remove contamination of Narakasura. Religious Holiday is observed on Diwali. On Deepavali eve, get-together of people of all age groups participate and enjoy the festivity of this festival with great feelings, love.

Which Stories are related Diwali and what happened on that day?

Deepāvali related one of the Kathaa is about goddess Mā Lakshmi who appeared from Samudra-manthan, Dhanvantari (from the churning of the ocean by devās and daanavaas), other Kathā is about Śri Sita Ram’s victorious return to home. Sabha Parva of Maha-Bhārata described the God’s Leela to set 16000 free from imprisonment. Krishna Katha in which he defeated demon Narakāsura.

Worship of goddess of wealth Lakshmi is performed on Diwali to thank. Businessmen and those who pray to Maa Laxmi, they seek her aashirwad to be blessed with more wealth, ‘wealth in abundance’. The important part is that, not to be obsessed with acquisition it (of materialistic objects). Though having the more wealth, yet one has to be detached with materialism and burn the desires. And not to be under burden of any ‘Rina’ – debt. The Rishis felt that even when we are busy in earning money, we should think of God, hence, the worship of goodess Lakshmi. To lit the outside light and to be linked with inner-self, inner-light; and to remove ignorance, to win over egoism. It will serve good purpse of Diwali. And the proper use of blessed wealth and proper ways of earning such wealth should be appreciated. Showing gratitude toward goddess Laxmi following names for recitation are given :

Amrit Laxmiyai Namah
Dhan Laxmiyai Namah
Yog Laxmiyai Namah
Karma Laxmiyai Namah
Saubhāgya Laxmiyai Namah
Aishvarya Laxmiyai Namah
Raaj Laxmiyai Namah
Vidyā Laxmiyai Namah
Mahā Laxmiyai Namah

Diwali is the most awaited festival. While each faith has its own reason to celebrate the festival; Lakshmi Pooja in particular is performed on Diwali and Dhan Teras. Śri Lakshmiji Saraswatiji Prayer takes place; and Dhan-Dev Kuber prayer is conducted including Śri Ganesh, Dhanvantari Poojā. And prayers are also performed for Lekhni – Pen, books, scale. Prayers of Goddess Maa Ashta-Lakshmi, Aarti, Kathās, ‘Śri Suktam’ stotra is recited with love.

According to Hindu Lunar Calendar Māsa आश्विन परं कार्तिक मास कृष्णपक्ष अमावस्या तिथी Diwali Pooja Utsav is celebrated on Aashwin param Kārtik Krishna Paksha Amāvasyā tithi – Umas (it is an annual festival which falls in autumn season; in the month of October, or November on new moon day).

How is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali usually is five day festival. Some details of its celebration is given below :

– First day     : Dhanteras – Dhan Triyodashi. Diwali Pooja commencement day first. Prayers of Dhanvantri, Kuber, Laxmi, Śri-Yantra, Dhan puja including Ganesh and Sarasvati are done. Silver, gold buying auspicious day and it is kept in the prayers.

– Second day: Chhoti Diwali, Narak Chaturdashi, Yam Dipam prayer. Roop Chodas in Sindhi Community; Chaudas-Chaturdashi.

– Third day  : Diwali. It is main day of Diwali festival of light. An actual day of Diwali – Bari Diwali. It is also called as Deepāvali. Sindhi Samaj named it Diyāri. Laxmi prayers are invoked wearing new clothes, seeking blessings from goddess Laxmi & also from elders, nears dears. Businessman and traders, all seek Maa Lakshmi’s blessing for prosperous year to come. For some, New Year – welcome of Samvatsar is observed. All they wish Happy Diwali. And then, Prasad distribution of sweets of various colours and flavours takes place. Sweet wishes, gifts are exchanged. Lighting diyas-earthen oil lamps, fireworks, rangoli art, happy, joyful atmosphere; brings bliss. enlightment is marked. Inner-outer light is linked with God!

– Fourth day : Govardhan Puja. Prayers takes place. Chhappan Bhog and more offerings are made to pray God. Sindhis have ‘Baru’ on next day of Diwali.

– Fifth day : Bhaiyā Dooj – Bhāi Dooj. Usually it is on the following day of Diwali (Sindhi community calls it, Bhau Beeja). Sisters they put put the tika to their brothers.

For some, new year commences on Kartik Shukla Paksha. New Samvatsar starts. The merchants pray for success. They welcome prosperous new year and they open new account books on the new year.

Gujarati New Year is celebrated with new beginnings. The new year mostly falls on the next day after Diwali. But sometimes, on the following day of Diwali as per the variations in tithi i.e. small or big tithi. This year, next day of Diwali is the ‘Saal-mubārak’, ‘Bestā-Varas’, ‘Nutan Varsābhinandan’

When to buy precious metal, the books (books of accounts) बही खाता, चोपड़ा :

 

Dhan Teras is the auspicious day for buying the precious metal like gold coins, silver coins, silverware, silver utensils or jewellery. And those who buy the books for prayers, they see the auspicious timings when to buy books.

Besides India, it is a national holiday in Singapore, Fiji and Trinidad. It is celebrated by millions of Hindus across the world. The actual day of Deepāwali is traditionally celebrated on the third day of festival. Hong Kong Hindu Community also celebrates Diwali with lots of lights, diyas, sweets, prayers to goddess of wealth Lakshmi for happiness, prosperity, peace (sukh-samriddhi) and prosperous year. Many festivities, get-together takes place among community for celebrating festival of light.

On Deepavali, every home is lit with a lamp. But, let us be aware of the fact of lighting lamps and its significance. Each and every ritual of Diwali has an important significance and a reason for it. Light is important, it remove Darkness. May God bless everybody.

Diwali is called Diyari in Sindhi language.


Sindhi Tradition of Diwali : ڏِڻُ सिन्धी “दि॒यारी” लक्ष्मी पूजा महत्व :

Diwali is called Diyāri ڏِياريءَ among Sindhi community. Every year Diwali is either in October or November as per Hindu Lunar Calendar Panchang or any Sindhi Tipno which provides this know-how.

 

Baru ٻَـڙُھـ سِنڌيِ رِيت ۽ رِواج : When is Baru-Diyari and its traditional, cultural values? Sindhi dictionary of 15 April 1910 “Jote” Office Hyderabad Sind reads ‘Baru’, “The day after the Diwali”. Sindhis on this day of Baru they invite and welcome ناٺيِ son-in-law(s), نِياڻيِ Daughter(s) for food.

Diyari (Diwali) : is the main festival day. Actual day of Diyari. Usually, it is the day third of celebrations, counting from the Dhanteras.

Sindhi Traditions of Diyari (Diwali) :

Sindhis rites, rituals, custom for Diyari : Sindhis perform ‘Diwali Pooja’. They traditionally conducted prayers on the ‘Hut’ and ‘Hatri’. Hatri term meaning in the Sindhi dictionary P.647 Col.i reads, “A miniature house made at the Diwali by Hindus”. Sindhis prepare food ‘Sata-Sāgi Bhaaji’ and ‘Taanhiri’. The different colour and flavour sweets are prepared. The delicious sweets are prepared. It is called Varo and Laai in Sindhi language, which is offered alongwith the other mithai in the prayer. Firstly, these sweets are placed for prayers devoted to Lord Ganesh, Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati, Dhan-Dev Kuber, Lakshmi Patri in the Hatri and to all the invoked deities; and then such āshirwaad prasad is distributed to all.

Also Sindhis Traditional rites, rituals is : In past, some they used to draw the sketch of Bali-rājā (King Bali). As well as Sindhis offer prayers by reciting “Diyāri Jo Diyo Ditho, Nanddho Vaddo Chibhar Mitho”

ڏياريءَ   جـو ڏيـئـو ڏِٺـو ننڍو وڏو چِڀِڙ مِٺو

While igniting the cotton wrapped on the a. On Jawa-Stick b. Sugarcane-Stick, or c. on the Bamboo-stick) and they say prayer. They also ignite diyās (an earthen pot) both symbolizing to remove the darkness.

There is also a tradition to place the “Patri”, “Diwali Pooja Patri”, or often called “Lakshmi Pooja Patri” in the “Hutri”. The ‘Patri’ of Lakshmi Pooja contains the prayer mantras devoted in particular to Goddess of wealth Sri Lakshmi. During Diwali, families and friends share sweets, food and gifts. Decorating homes and offices is done. Praying and lighting diyas marks the festival’s faith; joyous celebration of fireworks and candles takes place. The earlier one is the traditional. The annual prayers of Laxmi concludes on the day sixth among Sindhis. That is, next day of Chand. It is called moklaao.

 

 

How Diwali is celebrated in Southern Bhārat (India)?

On the day of Diwali, people take an oil bath in the morning and they wear new clothes. They greet one another, asking, “Have you had your Ganges bath?” And it actually refers as purifying as a bath in the holy river Gangā (Ganges) to remove related contamination related to destruction of Narakasura. They partake of sweetmeats – Mithai.

Vaishnav school of thought celebrate the Goverdhan Pooja. They feed poor and needy on this day. Many places are decorated and lit with lot lights in Bharat (India).

 

How Diwali is celebrated in North Bhārat (India)?

For some more in northern Bhārat (India), Diwali is the celebration of the triumphant return of Lord Śri Rām to Ayodhyā after defeating Rāvanā. It commemorates that god’s glory, victory and blessed day on which the people light rows of lamps along houses and windows to welcome Śri Sitā Rām. Jagmag Jagmag Jyot Jagi Hai, Rām Aarti Hon Lagi Hai.

Some they celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu.
Prayers from Laxmi Stotram for Lakshmi Mata by great sage Agastya Rishi

॥ श्रीलक्ष्मीस्तोत्रं अगस्त्यरचितम ॥

जय पद्मपलाशाक्षि जय त्वं श्रीपतिप्रिये ।
जय मातर्महालक्ष्मि संसारार्णवतारिणि ॥

Victory, glory to you! O the lotus-eyed Lakṣmī! Śri, beloved of lord Śrīpati Viṣṇu! glory to you! Glory to mother Mahālakshmi, deliverer from the ocean of this world!

श्री Śri : The goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu; Wealth, riches, affluence, prosperity, plenty अनिर्वेदः श्रियो मूलं Râm. ; beauty, grace, splendor. आसीदिय दशरथस्य गृहे यथा श्रीः Any virtue or excellence, A lotus, n. of Sarasvati (the goddess of speech), fame, glory. The word श्री is often used as an honorific prefix to the names of deities.”

श्री The Śri – Śhree is often used synonymously with Lakshmi (Laxmi). Vedic verses, honors her in a hymn known as the Śri Suktam. The term Śri is for victory, glory, prosperity, beauty and success; and such an ashirwad blessings, boons flow from the goddess. Vishnu’s consort Shree/Lakshmi is celebrated for her constancy in serving him as her lord. Laxmi incarnates herself with Vishnu whenever his avatāra forms on earth like Sitā – Rām. P.21 of Gendered Divinity reads, “Her independent authority has been so exalted in Panchrātra school of thought that she is viewed as the Supreme object of the meditation and worship, in whom are united the cosmic functions of the three Gods, Brahmā, Vishnu and Śiva.”

Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiyā, Jai Lakshmi Mātā;
Tumko Nishdin Sevat, Har, Vishnu Daataa.

“She possesses auspicious attributes. For ‘prosperity Śri’ is invoked while for ‘wealth Lakshmi’. Lakshmi emerged from the churning of ocean. Śri/Lakshmi is associated with the lotus, a symbol both of fertility and purity as it grows out of mud but floats above water. Because of this association, she is known by the alternative names Padmā and Kamalā, both names being derived from synonyms of the lotus. She is also associated with the elephant.” (ref. p.19, 20 of genedered divinity)

पद्म पुराण : The Padma Purān is one of the eighteen major Purānās. One of the prayer of verse from Mahalakshmi Ashtakam – Stotra on Devi Lakshmi:
पद्मासनस्थिते देवि परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणि ।
परमेशि जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते ॥
Padma-Aasana Sthite Devi, Para Brahma Svaruupinni;
Parameshi Jagan-Maatar Mahālakshmi Namostute.
Meaning: Namaskar to Maa Devi Mahālakshmi.

The Devi who is seated on a Lotus, is of the Nature of Supreme Brahman, Lord and the Mother of the Universe; salutations to that Mahalakshmi.

 

दिवाली की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं ! शुभ दीपावली !
Happy Diwali – Shubh Deepavali

In Hong Kong, Bari Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Chhoti Diwali-Roop chaudas and Dhan Teras Pooja is performed since many years by Ishwar Maharaj – Pandit Ishwar Sharma.