Labh Panchami
Labha Panchami is a festival of wealth, prosperity, and success, celebrated with great enthusiasm by devout merchants. It symbolizes new beginnings, faith, and aspirations for future success and is observed on the fifth day after Diwali, which falls on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month. This festival holds immense significance within the business and commercial communities, particularly in Gujarat and surrounding states. It is considered extremely auspicious for gaining wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. It is believed that this Panchami enhances happiness and luck in life, which is why it is also called Saubhagya Panchami.
Everyone desires prosperity and happiness in both their work and family life, and the festival of Saubhagya Panchami offers a golden opportunity to fulfill these wishes. The day is seen as a symbol of auspiciousness and gain. It is believed that worshiping Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Sharda on this day brings happiness, prosperity, and growth in business.
Worship Method
On the day of Labh Panchami, after taking a morning bath, devotees prepare for worship while meditating on the various forms of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Sharda. After bathing, one should first offer water to the Sun, as it brings energy and positivity to life. In an auspicious time, place the idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Sharda at the worship site. Wrap a betel nut in a sacred thread (mauli) and place it on a mound of rice, representing Lord Ganesha. Then, offer sandalwood, vermillion, rice, flowers, and durva grass to Lord Ganesha, as these are very dear to him. Offer sandalwood, flowers, and rice to Goddess Lakshmi, and yellow flowers, fruits, and sweets to Goddess Sharda. For offerings, present modak to Lord Ganesha and milk-based sweets to Goddess Lakshmi.
During the worship, perform the ritual with incense, lamps, and by singing aarti for Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. It is considered very auspicious to make a swastika symbol at the main entrance of the house, symbolizing prosperity and positive energy. After the worship, listen to the story (vrat katha) of Labh Panchami to complete the ritual and receive its full blessings. Finally, distribute the prasad offered to the deities and partake in it yourself. Performing the Labh Panchami puja in this way brings happiness, prosperity, good fortune, and peace to life. This festival is especially significant for business prosperity and family well-being.
Significance of Labh Panchami:
Labh Panchami is a special festival celebrated after Diwali, holding significance from both business and religious perspectives. The main purpose of this day is to start new ventures and to worship for the attainment of knowledge and prosperity in life. After Labh Panchami, shops and businesses that were closed during the Diwali celebrations reopen, bringing positivity and prosperity into business activities. On this day, devotees especially worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi—Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is prayed to for the success of new endeavours, while Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is revered for blessings of abundance. On this auspicious day, devotees open their accounts and pray for prosperity by worshiping the Lakshmi-Ganesha Yantra.
Writer: – Kuldeep
source: https://www.sanatanjyoti.com/blog/labh-panchami/1597