Poli Padyami Vrat 2024: Date, Rituals, and Significance

Poli Padyami is a day to illuminate both the physical and spiritual worlds by lighting lamps and offering prayers. The lighting of lamps signifies dispelling ignorance (darkness) and welcoming positivity and knowledge (light). Devotees believe this day brings peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth when rituals are performed with genuine devotion.

How to Perform Poli Padyami Puja: A Step-by-Step Guide

• Wake up early and take a bath to cleanse the mind and body.
• Clean the puja area, particularly near the Tulsi plant, using cow dung mixed with water for purification.
• Draw an Ashtadala Padma (eight-petaled lotus) design with rice flour.
• Place a copper or clay pot filled with water and decorate it with turmeric and kumkum.
• Required Puja Items (Samagri): Tulsi leaves, flowers, cow dung (gomaya), lamp (mud or brass), oil or ghee, cotton wicks, and prasad (fruits, sweets, or panakam).

• Bhoomi Shuddhi (Earth Purification): Sprinkle the area with water mixed with cow dung. Light a lamp to invoke divine presence.
• Tulsi Puja: Offer flowers, turmeric, and kumkum to the Tulsi plant while chanting prayers to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Tulsi.
• Ganapati Puja: Place an idol or drawing of Lord Ganesha and offer modak, flowers, and incense sticks.
  • Place the lamp on the Ashtadala Padma.
  • Fill it with oil or ghee and light it, reciting prayers with devotion.
  • Prayers to Deities: Perform Aarti and offer Naivedyam (prasad). Recite mantras like Vishnu Sahasranama or other hymns.
  • Completion: End the puja with Shanti Path, distribute prasad, and seek blessings for health, wealth, and happiness.

In a small village, a family faithfully worshipped their temple deity daily, offering coconuts and prayers. Over time, their devotion became mechanical, lacking genuine connection. One day, while breaking a coconut at the temple, they accidentally damaged the deity’s idol. Shocked by this mistake, they had to conduct purification rituals to restore the temple’s sanctity. The priest reminded them that worship without sincerity was meaningless.

Poli, a family member, took this lesson to heart. However, even she sometimes found herself worshipping without mindfulness. One day, she carelessly performed rituals at the temple, rushing through them. She soon realised her prayers were empty, lacking true devotion. This marked a turning point in her spiritual journey.

Poli began approaching worship with sincerity and mindfulness. She reflected on her past actions and committed to worshipping with a pure heart and unwavering faith. Her transformation inspired her family and community, teaching them that rituals should be heartfelt, not just customary.

Through her journey, Poli showed that worship rooted in genuine devotion fosters peace and a deeper connection with the divine. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the true essence of faith.

Poli Padyami Vrat, with its emphasis on lighting lamps and sincere devotion, encourages devotees to reflect on their spiritual practices. By performing this vrat with a pure heart, one can achieve inner peace, prosperity, and a closer bond with the divine.