Third Day of Diwali

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Lami Pujan Day<br><br>The new moon day (amavasya)

of the month of Ashwin<br><br>Generally, the new

moon day is considered inauspicious, however, this day

is an exception to the rule. Since it is still not

auspicious for all events, it is more appropriate to call it

a day of happiness rather than an auspicious

day.<br><br>On this day, one performs Lakshmipujan, that is,

worship of deity Lakshmi, the deity of prosperity. After

an auspicious bath at dawn one should worship the

deities. In the afternoon a rite for the departed souls

(parvanshraddha) and an offering of meals to Lord Brahma (who

created the Universe) is done and in the evening, in a

pandal decorated with creepers and leaves, Lakshmi,

Vishnu, Kuber, and other deities are worshipped in the

following manner. A statue or picture of Lakshmi should be

installed on a seat on which either an octapetalled lotus

or a svastik is drawn with consecrated rice

(akshata). Next to Her a statue of Kuber is placed on a pot

(kalash). Then all these deities are offered a sacrament

(prasad) of a mixture of coagulated cow’s milk (khava),

sugar, cardamom and cloves. Then items like coriander,

jaggery, and corn from parched, uncleaned rice, sugar

candies (battase), etc., are offered to Lakshmi and

distributed to friends.<br><br>The Puranas (Hindu spiritual

texts) narrate that on this night, Lakshmi enters the

ideal home, which besides being clean, is inhabited by

men who are faithful, dutiful, merciful, righteous,

have control over passions and are devotees of God,

and women who are virtuous and chaste.

<br><br>Source<br><br><a href=http://www.sanatan.org/weekly

target=new>http://www.sanatan.org/weekly</a> (Issue # 96)