Diwali is regarded as an extremely auspicious and joyous festival in India. Special Diwali Pooja is offered by the people on this day to seek prosperity and happiness in the coming year. This Deepawali Pooja is essentially Lakshmi Pooja or the worship of Goddess Lakshmi – the Hindu Goddess of Wealth.

Significance of Diwali Pooja
Diwali Pooja is a significant part of Diwali celebrations in India. Diwali Pooja is considered must by business community in India. For them it's a New Year's time. Businessmen start their new account books after paying ritual obedience to Goddess of Wealth. Diwali Puja is dutifully carried out in Hindu households also. All members of the family gather in the worship room and carry our Lakshmi Ganesha Puja complete with prayers, offerings, sacrifices and rendition of devotional songs. Diwali Pooja is considered must as it helps to seek blessings of Lakshmi Ma and thereby ensure wealth and prosperity in the coming year.

Time for Deepawali Pooja and Prior Preparations
Deepawali Pooja is performed in the evening hours after sunset. The opportune time for Puja is calculated by pandits and religious scholars and usually declared in newspapers on the eve of Diwali.
Before starting the Deepawali Pooja house is swept clean and diyas and candles all around the house to illuminate the path of Lakshmi Ma. Some people also say that lighting of lamps help to ward off the shadows of evil spirits. Colorful Rangolis are also drawn to welcome the Goddess in the house. At some places there is also a tradition to draw small footprints with rice flour and vermilion to indicate the long awaited arrival of Goddess Lakshmi. Oil lamps are kept burning throughout the night to guide the path of the Goddess who is said to arrive secretly at night.

Other Gods and Goddesses Worshiped During Divali Pooja
Divali Puja is in fact a combined worship of five deities. Lord Ganesha is worshiped first as Vighnaharta or the remover of obstacles. Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in all her three forms as Mahalakshmi - the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Mahasaraswati - the Goddess of Learning and Mahakali. Worship of Kuber - the Treasurer of Gods is also a part of traditional Divali Pooja.

Pooja Items Required for Diwali Pooja
Traditional Pooja items required for Diwali Pooja include silver and gold coins, rice grains, kumkum for tilak, suparis, betel leaves, sweets, fruits and salty snacks for offerings and prasad, incense sticks, camphor, flower petals, garlands and idols of Lakshmi – Ganesh.

Traditions for Diwali Pooja in India
Traditional Diwali Pooja in India consists of various steps. At first deity is welcomed, given a ritual bath and seated on a platform. Offerings are made and ritual worship is carried out. Arti is sung and prasad is distributed amongst all present. Later, people enjoy a Diwali feast and go out to burst crackers.
For more information on traditions read Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja

Gambling After Deepawali Pooja
After Deepawali Pooja many people indulge in gambling. This vice became a part of the tradition following the legend that Goddess Parvati played dice with her consort Lord Shiva on a Diwali night and that she declared that whosoever will gamble on this day would witness a prosperous year ahead. Unfortunately, the tradition of playing card games such as flush and rummy with stakes on Diwali continues even to day, especially in Northern India.