Deepavali and LAKSHMI POOJA

[Guest guest]

In most parts of India Deepavali is celebrated with Lakshmi pooja. As

this is the New Year for starting new accounts, the blessings of MAA

LAKSHMI the Goddess of wealth is sought. It may surprise many to know

that till recently even Balance sheets of Big companies were from

Deepavali to Deepavali. There is a special session of the Bombay

stock exchange called " Murat Trading " for buying and selling shares,

bonds and Govt.securities. Almost everyone buys and sells during this

session in the belief that you make a profit today, you will make

profits during the rest of the year. There are special Murat rates,

which are applicable only for this day. I remember the days when I

used to rush to Bombay for " Murat trading " then rush back home for

Deepavali. I am sorry I am talking about my Poorvaashrama.

 

 

There is again a belief that if you win a gambling game today, you

will win throughout the year. So big gambling sessions are held

throughout the night. We used to play Poker. (Three card as we call

it in Gujarat). You are always allowed to win some money.

 

 

Deepavali is the day on which happiness is distributed. Sweets are

bought and distributed among friends and relatives. People give gifts

to friends and relatives. Gifts galore from corporate companies.

 

 

Deepavali is the day when everyone is happy sharing sweets, fireworks

and gifts with others. In India most of our festivals are sombre

affairs. Deepavali is the exception that

there is no formal pooja and all that you do is wear new clothes,

meet friends, eat sweets and be happy. I remember the time when my

children were young, as soon the new calendar for the year is

released they will find out the Deepavali day and mark it in Red.

 

 

Deepavali is celebrated all over India. All Indians overseas have

celebrated Deepavali in a big way. I remember the discussion of my

friends whether the celebrations in Kisumu or Mombassa (Towns in East

Africa) was better.My nieces, nephews and cousins in U.S.A, Canada,

U.K, Timbuktoo and other places always tell me about how their

Deepavali celebrations are far better than ours.

 

 

The big thing about Deepavali is the shopping. Everyone announces a

Sale. Bargains are plenty. In the last five years everybody has

jumped into the bandwagon. You have bargain sales in clothes, toys,

refrigerators etc. and this year even in Computer systems. May be I

will gift myself a new P IV 1.50 mhz system this Deepavali. With

credit cards becoming popular in India everybody goes on a shopping

binge. Fortunately this year in all Saree shops they had put up

chairs for the men to sit. I see men sitting there calculating their

credit card limits and wondering whether the cops will tow away their

cars which are double-parked, while the women and children do the

shopping.

 

The other custom, which leads to this kind of frantic shopping, is

the visit by the son in law to the house of the father in law. The

sons in law expect fabulous gifts. Sometimes Motor cycles, Cars and

what not. I am unlucky in this since my in laws have been lost in the

Australian outback.

 

 

So in India we have the Deepavali season like you have the Christmas

season. The idea is the same. Spread happiness all around. We all

remember Happy Deepavalis.

 

 

You must be wondering, " Hey what has this message got to do with

Sakthas or Spirituality " . No it does not have any direct

relationship. But the idea is to spread Happiness, which is the

ultimate purpose of all our endeavours.

 

 

Wishing you all a HAPPY DIPAVALI !!!

 

Sankar