Vikrant Shekhawat : Oct 30, 2024, 11:40 AM
Diwali 2024: The five-day festival of Diwali has begun with Dhanteras, which will be celebrated with great pomp across the country this year on Thursday, October 31. The worship of Mata Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha has special significance on this occasion. People bring new idols home on this day and keep the old idols in a separate place with respect. But the question arises that what should be done with the old idols used in the worship of the previous year. Let's know the right ways for this.Use old idols respectfully after Diwali PujaKeep respectfullyOld idols can be kept respectfully in a safe place in the puja house. Do not forget to clean them regularly so that their purity is maintained.Immersion in a river or pondIf your idol is made of clay, it can be immersed in a holy river or pond. It is very important to take care of the environment at the time of immersion. Make sure that you do not put any pollution in the water.Donate to the templeDonating old idols to a temple after Diwali is an auspicious act. This ensures regular cleaning of the temple and is also a religious act.Bury it in the groundAfter the puja, burying the clay idols in the soil at a deep place is another option. You can bury it in your garden, but keep in mind that this place should be clean and out of reach of people.What not to do with old idols after Diwali?Do not throw it here and thereIdols should never be thrown in a dustbin or in a dirty place. By doing this, the fruits of Diwali puja can be destroyed.Do not keep under a treeIdols should not be kept under a tree or in a place where people coming and going pass over them. This is considered disrespectful and impure.Correct immersion of clay idolFor idol immersion, choose a place where there is a flow of water, such as a river. This will slowly dissolve the idol in water naturally. Immersion in a stagnant pond can pollute the water. If immersion in a river is not possible, immerse the idol in a bucket or tub at home and pour the water in the garden later.Remember to remove metal, flowers, clothes etc. before immersion if the idol is carrying any material. These materials can pollute the water. Keep the place clean after immersion and do not leave any plastic or other garbage.ConclusionThe festival of Dhanteras and Diwali is not only an occasion for worship and dedication, but also a time to pay respect to our traditions and beliefs. With proper management of old idols, we can protect both our culture and the environment. This Diwali, enjoy this festival with your family and community with renewed vigour.