Naag Diwali / Dev Deepawali...

    Dev Deepawali is a festival celebrated mainly in the temples of ‘Khandoba’. Khandoba is a popular Hindu deity mainly in the states of Maharashtra, Andra Pradesh and Karnataka. This deity is considered to be a Kula devata (Ancestral Tutelary deity) of many communities in the state of Maharashtra. Khandoba is traditionally considered as an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

    The first day of Margashirsha month is Dev Deepawali. People celebrate this festival till Panchami of Margashirsha month. One can do this puja during any one of these five days. People celebrate this festival in many ways. Dev Deepavali is celebrated in the belief that Gods descend on the Earth at this grand occasion. 

    In North India, Same festival of Dev Deepavali is celebrated on the full moon day of Kartik month. This is celebrated every year in the Varanasi on the 15th day of Diwali in respect of River Ganga. It is said that the Gods celebrated Diwali on the same day when Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura. On this day, all Diyas are lit on all ghats of Varanasi with a grand Aarti of Ganga.

    On this day, Snakes are worshipped by mothers for the sake of their children. Also, Puja and prayers are performed in Naag temples across many states in Central and south India. People celebrate this festival at home in many ways. Different sweets are made designating each family member and that sweet is called as “Diva” of that family member. It should be as per the choice/likes of the person. It can be any traditional sweet dish like Ladoo, Chirote, Pedha, Gulab jamun, Rasgulla, Shreekhand etc. (for Boys) and Karanji, Baalushahi, Basundi etc. (for girls). Same Diva will be repeated every year. One can change it after five years if they want. We have to keep this Diva (Sweet) in a plate and place a cotton wick (fulwaat) in front of each Diva (sweet) and perform aarti to deity.

Diva (Sweet) with cotton wick beside each of it

Puja Vidhi Naag Diwali:

• Clean your house early morning and draw a nice rangoli at the entrance of the house.
• Perform regular puja of all the deity.
• Take a plate (copper/steel/silver) and draw five Naag (Snake) Devata on that plate with ghee. You can use cotton buds to draw it. 

  

  Snake made with ghee

  
  
• Keep that plate inside the temple adjacent to all other deities.
• Perform puja of Naag Devata by Offering Kumkum, akshada and flowers.
• Offer Naivedya / Prasad to all the deities along with Diva (Sweet). Keep Diva (Sweet) in a plate and lit a cotton wick (fulwaat) which is kept in front of Diva and perform aarti to deity. 

If one couldn’t perform this festival during this month, they can do it on any Sunday of Pausha month (the Tenth month in the Hindu calender).

Margashirsha Mahalakshmi Vrat... Brings Prosperity

     Margashirsha is the ninth month in the Hindu calendar. Hindu people consider this month as sacred and auspicious month. The Hindu culture is full of rich history, festivals and traditions that has great significance. Each festival has a beautiful story behind it. 

    In the month of Margashirsha, on every Thursday Lakshmi puja is done and fast is observed by devotees. It is believed that, one who observes \"Lakshmi Vrat\" is blessed with spiritual growth and stability in life. This Puja is performed either at home or at Lakshmi Maa temple. The Lakshmi vrat and puja can be performed by both men and women. People who perform this puja have to observe fast for whole day on every Thursday.

Mahalakshmi Vrat Vidhi:

• To perform puja, Keep a wooden chowky adjacent to the  temple and cover it with red colored cloth. Draw a Swastik below chowky with rangoli. 
• Draw a Rangoli in front of the house with beautiful colors.
• Place a photo of Goddess Mahalakshmi on the chowky. 
• Spread some Rice (Akshada) in front of photo of Goddess Lakshmi. 
  
  
  
• Take the Kalash and draw a Swastik on it with kumkum. Fill it with water. Put five or seven mango leaves inside the kalash. Put a one rupee coin and a Betel (supari) in the kalash. 
  
  
  
• Dress the kalash with red colored cloth. 
• Now place a coconut on the top of the Kalash. The coconut is considered as a Goddess.
  
  
  
• Decorate a chowky with flowers and Diya. Many people put a Mahalakshmi Mukhavta (Face masks) on Coconut which is easily available in any pooja store during this month. 
• Offer five fruits to Goddess as Prashad. Put it in front of Kalash. one can also offer some dry fruits to Goddess. 
• To begin puja, All the offerings first made to the Lord Ganesha. 
• Now, offer Haldi, Kumkum, akshada and flower to the Goddess Lakshmi idol and kalash.
• Once this is done, Read "Mahalakshmi Vrat katha" with focused mind. (Book is easily available in any puja store or book store)  
• Finally perform Aarti of Goddess Lakshmi with offering prayers to Goddess.
• After the morning puja, the puja and aarti are performed again in the evening and lamps are lit in the courtyard.

    People perfrom this Vrat with the intention of giving wealth, food and prosperity to their family and good health to their family members. In the villages and cities of Maharashtra, this 'vrat' is prepared with enthusiasm. Women go to the market to buy masks, costumes, ornaments and worship materials of the goddess.

    It is believed that those who perform this Vrat with faith and spirit, Goddess Lakshmi will be pleased and will have a grace on them.