Do U Know: 
“If Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Sri Ram back to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, then why ‘Lakshmi Puja’ is performed on Diwali? Why not Sri Ram Puja ?”
Diwali festival is associated with two Yugas: the Satyuga and the Tretayuga.
In the Satyuga, Goddess Lakshmi appeared, on the same day from the ‘Amrit Manthan’.
Therefore, Lakshmi is worshiped.
Lord Shri Ram also returned to Ayodhya on this day of Tretayuga.
The people of Ayodhya welcomed Him with great fervor by lighting ghee lamps. Hence the name Deepotsav, Deepavali, or Diwali!
Thus the festival has two names: ‘Lakshmi Puja’ – which is associated with Lakshmi’s appearance in the Satyuga, and ‘Deepawali’ – associated with Sri Ram’s return to Ayodhya in the Tretayuga, and the lighting of the lamps for His welcome on Deepotsav/Deepavali/Diwali!
On this auspicious day
the Sikhs celebrated Bandi Chhor Divas, meaning “Day of Liberation”.
It commemorates the release of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 Hindu princes from prison in 1619 by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
Celebrations feature illuminations, feasts, family gatherings, and a Nagar Kirtan (a procession).
For Jains, Diwali, known as Dipalikaya, commemorates the attainment of moksha (liberation) by the 24th and final Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira, along with the enlightenment of his chief disciple, Gandhar Gautam Swami. The festival symbolizes the victory of inner knowledge over ignorance, with lamps lit to represent the light of Mahavira’s teachings and the path to spiritual freedom.
Jain Diwali emphasizes austerity, charity, and inner reflection.
The next question: “What is the relation between Shri Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh?
And why are they worshiped on Diwali?”
The answer:
When Goddess Lakshmi appeared due to the churning of the ocean and was married to Lord Vishnu, She was made the Goddess of ‘Fortune and Wealth’ of the entire universe! She then appointed Lord Kuber as Her manager to distribute that wealth.
Kuber was a miser!
He didn’t share that wealth; but Himself became the treasurer, and sat upon it.
Mother Lakshmi became unhappy. Her children (the people) weren’t receiving Her blessings.
She told Lord Vishnu about Her plight. Lord Vishnu told Her, “Change Your manager!”
Ma Lakshmi said, “Kuber, the king of the Yakshas, is My ardent devotee! He may get offended!”
Then Lord Vishnu advised her to use the vast and profound wisdom of Shri Ganesh.
Ma Lakshmi asked Shri Ganesh to become the ‘Distributor of Her wealth’.
Lord Ganesh is super intelligent. He said, “Whomsoever I name – Mother, You have to bless him! No ifs and buts!”
Mother Lakshmi agreed.
Now, Shri Ganesh began removing obstacles to people’s good fortune and opening the doors of wealth for them.
Kuber remained a treasurer, and Shri Ganesh became the ‘Giver of Wealth’.
Seeing Ganesh’s generosity, Goddess Lakshmi was very pleased with Her spiritual son Shri Ganesh. She asked Him, wherever She was not with Her husband Narayan (Lord Vishnu), Ganesha should accompany Her just as Her own son.
Diwali falls on ‘Kartik Amavasya’ -the new moon day of the month of Kartik.
Lord Vishnu is in ‘Yognidra’ – (sleep) at that time. He awakens 11 days later, on Dev Uthani Ekadashi.
Mother Lakshmi has to visit the earth during these 15 days period between ‘Sharad Purnima’ and Diwali, so She brings Lord Ganesh with Her.
That is why Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh are worshipped on Diwali.
The biggest festival of India, and very few know the legend behind it! Our children and grand children deserve to know!
Wishing you and your family a most happy and prosperous Deepavali
