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mid-December for different reasons. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the
most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by
performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains,
Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BCE.
Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji.
The name "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" (Sanskrit: दीपावली Dīpāvalī), which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (dīpa in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst in order to drive away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.
Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and
Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king
Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of
Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas
and by bursting firecrackers.
The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third day of Diwali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the Bali, and banished him to Patala. It is on the fourth day of Diwali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to patala and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes
Diwali Festival is one of the major and most celebrated Hindu festivals in India. Diwali is celebrated as the 'Festival of Lights' in India. Entire country looks magnificent on Diwali as people illuminate their homes with traditional earthen diyas, candles and luminous strands of electric bulbs. Hindus believe that brightness on the day of Diwali helps to dissipate darkness of ignorance and spread the light of knowledge all around.
When is Diwali Celebrated?
Diwali in India is celebrated on the amavasya or no moon day that comes on the 15th day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Kartik (October-October). The date of Diwali comes about 20 days after the festival of Dussehra or Vijayadashmi.
Legend Behind Diwali Festival in India
According to legends, Diwali Festival in India marks the coronation of Lord Ram as the King of Ayodhya on his return to the Kingdom after 14 years of exile and slaying of demon King Ravana. People of Ayodhya were so delighted to have Ram as their King that they lit diyas and burnt firecrackers. To this day people Hindus carry on this ritual by celebrating Diwali Festival.
Diwali - Festival of Lights
Sanskrit word for Diwali is Deepawali, which is a combination of 'Deep'
and 'Avali' where 'deepa' means lamp and 'avali' means row. Deepawali
therefore means row of lamps. Diwali is so called as people celebrate
Diwali as Festival of Lights. On the Diwali day people illuminate their
houses by lighting diyas and candles all round. During the evening
firecrackers are burst and there is radiance everywhere. Diwali Preparation
Preparations for Diwali Festival start months before the festival. Those staying away from their homes make plans for a visit home as everybody wishes to celebrate Diwali with loved ones. Elaborate shopping takes plays before Diwali as everyone buys new clothes and decorative for home. People also buy Diwali Gifts like sweets, dry-fruits, candles, puja thalis, show pieces and other items to express their good wishes. This is considered important in India as people celebrate Diwali as the biggest gift giving festival.
Diwali Celebration
On the day of Diwali people wake up early and spruce up their house. Auspicious Rangoli patterns are drawn in front of the house or in the courtyard. Womenfolk prepare traditional festive goodies like laddoos, mathris, dahi badas etc. During the day people visit their friends and dear to exchange Diwali greetings and traditional Diwali Gifts. Later in the evening all members of the family wear new clothes and participate in the Laxmi Ganesh Puja. This is followed by a lavish Diwali feast and bursting of crackers.
History of Diwali
Diwali is the most significant festival in Indian history. It is celebrated by millions of people every year. The celebrations for this five-day festival
commences with Narak Chaturdashi, which is
celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna and his consort Satyabhama over
the evil demon Narak. According to the Puranas, Narak, as given in the
History of Diwali unleashed a reign of terror in the kingdom of Kamarupa,
even resorting to annoying celestial beings.It was then that Lord Krishna was called upon to save the world from this malevolent being according to Diwali History. However, Lord Krishna soon realized that Narak was not one to go down easily as he was the benefactor of a boon which declared that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So Krishna requested his consort Satyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi to be his charioteer for the inevitable battle.
When Lord Krishna feigned unconsciousness after being hit by an arrow, Satyabhama took the bow and arrow and killed Narak instantaneously. The slaying of Narak signifies that parents ought not to hesitate to punish their children for the greater good of the society. It reminds people to place the good of society before their own personal gains and bonds.
On the second day of Diwali the Lakshmi Puja is performed. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, will visit well-lit homes on this day. Legend has it that on this day the benevolent Goddess emerged from the Ocean of milk when the Gods and Demons were churning the ocean for elixir.
It is also believed that Lord Vishnu descended upon earth in the form of a poor Brahmin Vamana, and sought three feet of land from the demon king Bali. When the king agreed, Vishnu covered the heavens and the earth with two feet and asked the king where he should place his third foot.
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The third day is Bali Padyami, so called because on this day Bali came out of Patal Lok and became ruler of Bhulok as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. The fourth day is called Yama Dvitya. Popularly it is known as Bhai Dhuj and is the day when sisters and brother reaffirm and strengthen their relationship.
In North India, Diwali is celebrated to rejoice over the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. In anticipation of his return and to welcome back their beloved King, the people of Ayodhya illuminated the entire town with beautiful oil lamps and diyas. They also burst crackers and set up a dazzling display of fireworks.
The Bengalis celebrate this day to worship Goddess Durga who successfully vanquished the demon Mahisusara on the very same day thereby saving people a lot of grief. Author Source: dgreetings.com
What is Diwali ?
DIWALI - the festival of lights!
Diwali is one of the most enchanting festival of India. The Festival of Diwali is celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm throughout the country. India looks resplendent on Diwali day as all streets and houses light up with traditional Diwali Diyas, candles and strands of small electric bulbs to mark the Festival of Light. Diwali Festival is supposed to lead us to the light of knowledge from the darkness of ignorance.
Diwali, the words comes from Sanskrit ‘Deepawali’, meaning ‘rows of lights’ is celebrated on the Amavasya or the no moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik (October - November). The festival of Diwali falls 20 days after the famous festival of Dussehra. Diwali is celebrated as a five-day-long festival and there are set rituals for each of the five days. Diwali Festival marks the coronation of Lord Ram as the King of Ayodhya on his return to the kingdom with wife Sita and brother Laxman after 14 long years of exile and slaying of Ravana - the demon King of Lanka. As the Hindus hold Lord Ram in high esteem, the festival of Diwali is celebrated with joy and charm that is unmatched in celebration with any other festival.
On the day of Diwali, people spruce up their houses to welcome Goddess Lakshmi - the Hindu mythological Goddess of Wealth. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits only clean houses on Diwali. Womenfolk engage themselves in preparing festival special dishes like laddoos, mathri, dahi bade etc. People also visit friends and relatives during the day to greet each other the best of Diwali. They also exchange Diwali Gifts which usually is a box of sweets, a packet of dry fruit, a decorative item or other household goods. It is believe that exchange of gifts on Diwali Day helps to strengthen relationships.
In the evening earthen diyas, candles and layers of electric bulbs are lighted by people to mark the festival. People wear bright new clothes and women adorn themselves with heavy jewelry. All members of the family gather in the worship room to perform the traditional Lakshmi Puja on the occasion of Diwali. People pray for prosperity and happiness in the coming year. This is because Diwali marks the beginning of New Year especially by the Hindu business community. Businessmen start new account books on the auspicious day of Diwali.
A sumptuous family dinner follows the Puja and thereafter, it is time to burn crackers. Everybody gathers in the open area outside the house and indulge in a show of fire works Sky looks brilliant with the dazzling sparkle of crackers. Children enjoy playing with small crackers like phuljhari, anaar (flowerpot) and chakris. Some people also follow the tradition of playing cards and gambling on the day of Diwali.
Diwali is a Hindu equinox "festival of lights" celebrated at the new
moon in the month of Kartika, around the time of the autumn harvest and
the start of the winter sowing. Hiltebeitel mentions claims that the
celebration of Diwali can be traced to A.D. 50-100 and that it comes
from an autumnal festival for the dead.The religious connotations of the festival are varied. Elements include: the return of Rama and Sita to the land where Rama ruled as king (Ayodhya in Northern India) and a symbolic re-enactment of the killing by Rama of Ravana and the freeing of Laksmi [Grottanelli).
Small oil lamps or candles are customarily placed around the house. Sweet treats are exchanged, houses are whitewashed, new clothes worn, there's gambling, and fireworks highlight the bright light theme.
Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi puja is a Hindu ritual performed during Diwali, the festival of lights. According to tradition people would put small oil lamps outside their homes on Diwali and hope Lakshmi will come to bless them.
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by those who wish to acquire or to preserve wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi (wealth) goes only to those houses which are clean and where the people are hardworking. She does not visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the people are lazy.
In the Sri Vaishnava philosophy however, Sri (Lakshmi) is honoured as the "Iswarigm sarva bhootanam" i.e. the Supreme goddess and not just the goddess of wealth. This is an important distinction between Sri Vaishnavism and other materialistic philosophies.
The third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of Lakshmi-puja and is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi. On this very day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale. Hence, this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. Despite the fact that this day falls on an amavasya day it is regarded as the most auspicious.
The day of Lakshmi-Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya. The strains of joyous sounds of bells and drums float from the temples as man is invoking Goddess Laxmi in a wondrous holy "pouring-in" of his heart. All of a sudden that impenetrable darkness is pierced by innumerable rays of light for just a moment and the next moment a blaze of light descends down to earth from heaven as golden-footed Deep-Lakshmi alights on earth in all her celestial glory amidst chantings of Vedic hymns.
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Lakshmi Pooja, or the worship of the goddess of wealth, is the main event on Diwali in North and West India. It is extremely important to keep the house spotlessly clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason why the broom is worshiped on this day with offerings of haldi and kumkum (turmeric and vermilion). Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up Her path.
Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshiped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighneshvara; Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in her three forms - Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali; Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshiped.
Om jai Jagdish Hare Aarti
WISH YOU ....HAPPY DIWALI 2013......
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