The Festival of Lights

Diwali, or Deepavali, symbolising the victory of good over evil. Diwali is celebrated all over India. During the festival, clay lamps known as diyas are lit as a sign of good omen and celebration of victory.

Demons like Narakasura and Raavana are symbolized as the embodiment of all the sins of the world. It is the victory of the Lord’s over the negative forces. It is a reminder for everyone to win over our lower tendencies and raise to the higher values of life and come to live. Light stands for knowledge. The attempt is to bring the better man out of the evil forces.

King Ram's return

In Northern India, the festival is celebrated on Karthika Amavasya night as to mark King Rama’s return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana by lighting diyas.

Lord Krishna's return

In Southern India, the festival is celebrated as the day Lord Krishna returned after defeating Narakasur. The story says that the whole community lit lamps to celebrate this victory.

Chinmaya International Foundation and Chinmaya Swayambhu Ayyappa Temple invite you to the joyous celebrations of Diwali at Adi Sankara Nilayam on 20 October 2025.

The Mahalakshmi Puja will be performed by Swami Sharadananda Sarasvati at 6:30 PM IST. We will also have the Chuttuvilakku prior to that (6:30 PM IST) in the temple.

You can be a part of this festive occasion by offering following pujas and bhiksha online. 

Offerings

Description

Amount

Mukhya Yajaman

Mukhya yajaman will be the main yajaman for the Puja. By the grace of goddess Mahalaxmi

health, wealth and prosperity will be bestowed on the Mukhya Yajaman


₹5,000

Chuttuvilakku

Lighting more than 1008 lamps around the Chinmaya Swayambhu Ayyappa temple and the ashram complex. The Diwali day special offering of ‘Dipa Dana’ invites auspiciousness in one’s life

₹5,000

Dipa Puja

Offering lamps to Sri Mahalakshmi. Dipa represents Knowledge, Beauty and Love. Offering Dipa to Devi Mahalaxmi on this auspicious day invites all the blessings for the devotees

₹1,000

Naivedya Puja

Offering naivedya to Sri Mahalaxmi. This offering shall remove financial difficulties from one's life.

₹1,000

Alankara Puja

Offering Clothes, Flowers, Garlands, and other decorations to Sri Mahalaxmi. These offerings bring internal joy, beauty, physical prosperity, and household harmony to the devotees.

₹1,000

Padma Puja

Lotus represents Sri Mahalaxmi. Offering Lotus to Sri Mahalaxmi brings special grace and blessings (Lakshmi Kataksha)

₹1,000

Mahalakshmi Ashtottara Archana

Flowers will be offered to Sri Mahalaxmi while chanting the 108 names. Sri Mahalaxmi’s grace and blessings in abundance shall be upon the devotees.

₹501