"The puja mahurat begins at 5pm and continues until 11.30pm," says Pt Ravindra Nagar of New Delhi. "Clay idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi, or a silver coin containing both images may be worshipped in the ritual." The legend goes that the goddess disappeared from the side of Lord Indra owing to a curse placed upon him by sage Durvasa. She was restored to Lord Vishnu after the churning of the ocean.
The dark night of Kartik Amavasya becomes illuminated with the annual dedication to the Goddess at Diwali. Regular items that are used to worship the deity include panchamrit , vermilion, raw rice, sandalwood, betel leaves, betel nut, cloves, cardamom, flowers, incense, dhoop, oil lamps and sweetmeats.
Pt Nagar says the lady of the house must decorate the threshold with rangoli, and place a garland of mango leaves and marigold flowers to welcome the goddess. "One must light 11 clay lamps containing ghee and seven with oil, and place them in every corner of the house once the puja is over," says Pt Nagar. "It is apt to set five or seven lamps along the threshold in honour of Lord Yama, and one at the corner of the street."
The scriptures list seven homes that the goddess of wealth and prosperity enters and seven that she avoids. "Devotees that are hardworking, soft-spoken, respectful of their elders and welcome guests are blessed as are those that wear clean clothes and eat pure food. Helping the needy is a must," says Pt Nagar.
"Places that the goddess skirts are houses filled with filial animosity, whose residents do not bathe and dress well or are lazy. Ingratitude earns her ire as does wastefulness. Interestingly, the deity avoids people who laugh too loudly or too much."
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