Bright lights of Diwali dispel dark Amavasya

MUMBAI: As the daunting darkness of Kartik Amavasya enveloped the city on Wednesday evening, it was defeated by a burst of light, both literally and figuratively. Spectacular displays of soundless fireworks unfolded along the horizon at Marine Drive, Bandra and Andheri. Areas across the western and central suburbs utilised the few available open spaces to indulge themselves.
Late evening, the women of the house led the Lakshmi Puja, which marks the important third day of the five-day festival which begins at Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj.
Khar homemaker Sheila Sitlani said, “Beyond Goddess Lakshmi’s association with wealth, she bestows peace, good fortune, knowledge, honesty and virtue. Her four hands denote dharma, arth, kama and moksh. Lord Kuber, whose image is not readily available, is also revered on this day.”
In Dadar, the elderly Anjana Atre made what seemed to be an unusual purchase at first. Everybody about her was choosing diyas, torans and rangoli but Atre stopped to buy a new broom. She explained why. “Before Lakshmi Puja, the tradition is to use a new broom to sweep the house at night in order to despatch Alakshmi (woe) and welcome Lakshmi (prosperity). The dirt must be thrown out of the house. Diwali is the only day we sweep the house at night. This is forbidden on other days. The new broom is used every day from then on,”Atre said.
Thursday signals the start of the new year Vikram Samvat 2072. This week’s beating at stock markets seemed to stoke devotion at Wednesday’s Chopda pujan. This is when Gujarati businessmen arrive to get their new account books blessed. Priests at Dadar’s Swaminarayan temple laid out an array of red books and recited mantras upon them.
Meanwhile, Bengalis observed Kali Puja. Members of Chembur Club have been celebrating the ritual since 50 years. “We not only draw the faithful together but also propagate our goal of social welfare,” said general secretary Indra Bhadra.
Sanjay Chopda pujan--1 11BJ-DIWALI