What is Copaḍā or Bahī-khātā pūjā on Diwali, and can we do it for a laptop or online business?

it is the worship of the new account books with Lakṣmī–Gaṇeśa on Diwali; yes, many now bless laptops, ledgers and business apps the same way.

For traders, especially in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, Diwali marks the start of the new financial year. On Lakṣmī pūjā day new account books (copaḍā or bahī-khātā), usually bound in red cloth, are worshipped. “Śrī” is written at the top, a svastika and śubha-lābha are drawn in kumkum, and the first entry is made in the auspicious muhūrta. Gaṇeśa, Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī (for knowledge of accounts) and Kubera are invoked.

The spirit is to begin the year’s work cleanly and with God as witness. That translates easily to modern work: place the laptop, a printed ledger page, the cash box, the shop keys or the phone with your business app before the deities, apply a small tilak to a sticker or the cover (not the screen), and make the first transaction or invoice of the year after the pūjā.

Also a good day to settle small debts, pay staff bonuses and promise honest dealing — Lakṣmī stays where trust lives.

Copaḍā pūjā: new books, “Śrī”, śubha-lābha · Source: common trading-community practice

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