Pujas During Diwali Season

Trayodashi - Aaditya vasare, uttara naxatre
Also known as Dhantrayodashi; Dhanwantari(who appeared from sagar manthan) jayanthi; Evening we do jala puja, decorating pots containing water(now taps); Night oil bath for children. Adults take oilbath early morning before sunrise.

Chaturdashi - soma vasare hasta naxatre
Also known as Naraka Chaturdashi(the day Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna) Dhanalaxmi puja is done on that day; some do instead dhanya laxmi puja.

Kedareshwara puja
Kedareshwara vrita was performed by Gauri to obtain the half body of Shiva. When the pramatha gana brangiriti did the pradaxina for Shiva without including Parvati. Shiva explains on enquiry by her that those who know brahman have nothing to obtain from you hence they do not do the circumambulation. Parvati, in a huff of anger leaves the place and enters the forest. Encountering the sage Gautama she asks the sage a way to obtain the half body of Shiva. He asked her to perform Kedareshwar vrita. It starts from ashtami(8th day) and culminates on amavaasya day. In practice however, it is generally done on the last day. So it is the worship of Lord Shiva and the name is Kedareshwara vrita. All pujas call for some austerities like fast or semifast on fruits or milk or juices. There is no exception for this.

Akaasha deepa
Keep AAkaasha deepa for departed souls(to light their way; meaning when we engage in the devotional service, we have satisfied our departed ancestors and now they can freely reach their ultimate destination without worrying about us.)

Amaavaasya - kuja vasare chitra naxatre
Deepavali; Gopuja(worship cows; a drop of urine of cow is taken)

Kartik Maasa Shukla Pratipada bhuda vasare swati naxatre
New year Mahavira shaka 2525 and Vikrama shaka 2055 begins
baliindra puja(The day when Bali Chakravarti was sent to nether worlds; He had usurped the kingdom of Indra; Lord came as vamana and with two measures of his tiny foot, he covered earth and healvens. The third was used on Bali's head to relieve him of all that he had gained. (meaning; we are bali; we aggrandize; in order to reach god, we have to let go all that we have and become disposseed)
since it is a new year the puja for new books and 'angadi'(business) puja is also done on this day; some do dhanalaxmi puja on this day.

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