Happy Diwali, everyone!!!

[gayathri]

On Friday, it is Diwali, the festival of lights. Light candles and put them in the window to ask Laxhmi, the Goddess of Luck and Wealth to come bless your house. Clean your house if you have time. Make a lovely dinner with sweets for dessert to help make your new year filled with plenty and sweet with the fruits of your labor.

Play a game of cards or buy a lottery ticket, again, telling the Goddess of Luck and Wealth that she is in your thoughts and that will make her happy.

The story is that on this day Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva and she decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuing year. This tradition of playing cards- flash and rummy with stakes continues even to-day.

To read more about the Goddess Laxhmi: http://www.hindupriest.com/lakshmi.htm

Mantra to Ganesha to start the evening: http://www.sanatansociety.org/indian_music_and_mantras/ganesha_mantra_invocation.htm

Mantra to Lakshmi to welcome her to the home:
http://www.sanatansociety.org/indian_music_and_mantras/mantras_mahalakshmi_mantra.htm

here are some others: http://www.astrojyoti.com/lakshmimp3list.htm