Diwali festivities bring cheer to households and trading establishments

MUMBAI: Goddess Lakshmi whose worship is the highlight of Diwali Amavasya, showers blessings that transcend mere material wealth and economic prosperity. The divine consort of Lord Vishnu endows devotees with compassion, personal well being as well as societal harmony, equity and justice, and purity of the physical and spiritual self.

This year, the Diwali Kartik Amavasya tithi began at 3.52 pm Oct 31 and will end at 6.16 pm Nov 1. As a result, Lakshmi Puja is being performed variously over Thursday and Friday.

Pandit Bharat Bhushan Mishra of Malad explained, "On Kartik Amavasya, Lord Ganesh and goddesses Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati are worshiped with offerings of kumkum and raw rice, lotus seeds, coriander seeds, raw turmeric, moong, urad and Gomti Chakra. These items are then bundled up and kept in the 'tijori' (money vault)."

Saturday is Diwali Padwa or Hindu new year Vikram Samvat 2081. Bhau Beej will be celebrated Sunday. Diwali festivities will conclude at Labh Pancham Nov 6, when Annakoot offerings (mountains of food) are made.

Businessmen get their new red 'rojmel' books of account blessed at Mumbadevi and Swaminarayan temples during the Chopda Pujan ritual. Mumbadevi manager Hemant Jadhav said, "The entire premises has been decorated with colourful lights and flowers. We will be celebrating the annual Annakoot Mahotsav on Labh Panchami day from 3.00-6.00 pm Nov 6."

The BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) building in Fort has been adorned with flowers, lamps and lights. At 5.30 pm Friday, brokers, traders and their families will visit in traditional attire for the hour-long mahurat trading which coincides with Lakshmi Puja. BSE started the tradition in 1957. Mahurat trading evolved from Chopda Pujan.

The Sikh community celebrates Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas when the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind along with 52 Hindu kings, was released from Gwalior Fort after being imprisoned by Emperor Jehangir.

Gurdwara Dhan Pothohar in Santacruz has invited ragis and kirtankars. "A gathering of 1,000-1,500 devotees will arrive to light diyas and candles, and take blessings of Sri Guru Granth Saheb. Langar will be served," said president Satnam Singh Kohli.

Over in Matunga, K A Viswanathan said, "South Indian ladies prepare Diwali sweets at home. However, hotels like Mani's Lunch Home in Chembur also make Mysore pak (Rs 720/kg), jangri, rava laddoo, badusha and coconut burfi using ghee from Coimbatore." Viswanathan said the cost of flowers in Matunga market was at an all-time high this Diwali. A one metre toran of marigold and mango leaves cost Rs 100 and one ft garlands sold for Rs 100-125.

In a welcome sight, the traditional 'hatdi' or white tripod tray which the Sindhi community uses for Lakshmi Puja, is back at streetside stalls. "The 'hatdi' is a metal tray bearing pictures of Ganesh-Lakshmi in which we place offerings of mithai, radish, 'mitera', kumkum and rice. The crown has a groove for the diya. It was missing from markets since a few years so I am happy to see it again," said Laj Advani, who purchased her 'hatdi' from Four Bungalows market in Andheri.