Sweeping in Prosperity: The Sacred Role Of The Broom In Indic Traditions

During the Deepawali celebrations in India, the humble broom assumes spiritual and religious significance. On Dhanteras , people buy brooms as they are associated with Lakshmi , goddess of wealth and prosperity , and in states such as Maharashtra, they worship brooms with vermilion and turmeric. It is believed that sweeping house at midnight leads to wealth and prosperity. Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Deepavali celebration. In the northern states, Dhanteras is followed by Narak Chaudas , a day marked by deep cleaning of homes by ‘brooming’ out the narak, hell, negativity in the form of dust, dirt, pet dander and pollen, making floors cleaner and preventing allergies and infections that harmful bacteria could cause. The broom’s connection to Goddess Lakshmi stems from the belief that it can eliminate negative energy and make way for prosperity.

One cannot underestimate the power of the broom, which has long been a companion of witches who rode broomsticks and ‘flew’ in and out of chimneys in the West. Some scholars suggest this is because women were associated with the home, and brooms propped outside doors or in chimneys indicated an empty house. This ‘broomtastic’ companion plays a crucial role in maintaining health and happiness by supporting cleanliness .
In India, cleanliness is equated with godliness, a belief grounded in Indic philosophy. In Pantanjali's Ashtang Yog, shauch, internal and external cleanliness, is one of yamas, rules and regulations. Hindu philosophy teaches reverence for all objects contributing to daily life and well-being. It is believed that the world and everything in it is a part of Brahmn. Therefore, nothing should be disrespected. In Indian households, after cleaning, the broom is propped in a corner and kicking or disrespecting it is said to bring bad luck. It is essential for maintaining a household; hence, connecting it to the goddess of purity is a way to acknowledge its value in our lives. Important not just for humans, brooms are offered to gods, too.

At Pataleshwar temple in the Sambhal region of Uttar Pradesh, devotees offer brooms to Shiva on Mondays. There is a belief that brooms can cure sickness. Ayodhya Ram Mandir received a 1.751 kg silver broom as a gift from devotees. The broom is said to feature 108 silver sticks with Goddess Lakshmi sitting on top.

India even has a museum dedicated to brooms. Arna Jharna Museum in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, showcases a variety of brooms made from grass, date palm fronds, bamboo, and thorny desert shrubs — a collection that includes both female and male brooms.

In Jainism , Uttam Shauch, the fourth day of Das Lakshan Parv, means ‘supreme purity’. It is a spiritual virtue that teaches the importance of internal and external cleanliness. Jain monks use brooms to sweep the path before them to avoid stepping on living beings, which they believe have the same atman as human beings. They also sweep the place before sitting so that no living being is hurt. Śhwetambar monks use a broom called rajoharaṇa or ogha made of strands — from natural fabrics such as cotton — attached to a short wooden handle, while Digambar monks use a broom called a picchi made of fallen peacock feathers to ensure no harm is caused to living beings.


Authored by: Sonal Srivastava