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Diwali is the one Hindu festival
that unites the whole of India. It is traditionally known as the
"festival of lights", for the common practice is to
light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the
home, in courtyards, gardens, verandahs, on the walls built
around the home and also on the roof tops. In cities,
especially, candles are substituted for diyas; and among the
riches, candles are made to substitute for fashionable and
classy neon lights. The celebration of the festival is
customarily accompanied by the exchange of sweets and the
explosion of fireworks. Diwali is an occasion for cheerfulness
and togetherness. This is an occasion for young and the old, men
and women, rich and poor - for everyone to celebrate.
Irrespective of their religious and economic background, the
festival is celebrated throughout the country to ward off the
darkness and welcome light into life as light is always
associated with hope for the future Diwali is celebrated 20 days
after Dussera, on Amavasya - the 15th day of the dark fortnight
of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Aasho) (Oct/ Nov) every year.
Diwali celebrates Rama's homecoming, that is his return to
Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king
The legend related to the festival is that King Dashratha had
three wives namely Kaushalaya, Keykayee and Sumitra and four
sons Rama, Bharat, Laxmana and Shatrughan. Rama was the son of
Queen Kaushalaya and Bharat was the son of Queen Keykayee.
Keykayee wanted Bharat to be the next King of Ayodhya, while
King Dasharatha wanted Rama, his eldest son to be the King. But
Keykayee made full use of the two wishes King Dasharatha had
promised. Keykayee asked for sending Rama to exile for the
period of fourteen years and to crown Bharat as the king, though
Bharat refused to accept the kingship. During that time Lord
Rama fought and won fierce battle in the southern part of the
Indian sub-continent, killing the king of Demons, Ravana who had
forcibly taken away his wife Sita. Diwali marks his victorious
return to his kingdom along with Hanuman, the Vanar who helped
him in achieving success. The legend states it took 20 days for
Rama to return to his kingdom after defeating Ravana. As with
other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things
to people across the country. In north India, Diwali celebrates
Rama's homecoming from fourteen years of exile that is his
return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and his coronation as
king; in Gujarat, the festival is celebrated to honor goddess
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is related
with the goddess Kali. But everywhere, it is celebrated with the
same sprit and signifies the renewal of life.
Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivities in the Indian
culture. Uniting all members of the community, young and old,
rich or poor, the lighting of the lamps represents a way of
paying obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth,
knowledge, peace and valoured fame People give expressions to
their happiness by lighting earthen diyas and decorating the
houses to welcome Lakshmi- the Goddess of wealth and prosperity,
bursting fire crackers and inviting the near and dear ones to
their households for partaking in the luxurious feast. The
lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to God for
attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and fame and it
also signifies goodness. It is also marked as the beginning of
the Hindu New Year and as a brand new beginning for all. Diwali
is celebrated for five days, each day having it's own
significance, rituals and myths
DIWALI is a five-day festival, which includes Dhanteras,
Narak Chaturdashi, Deepawali, Govardhan and Bhaiya Dooj.
The First day is called Dhanteras or Dhantryaodashi,
which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The
word "Dhan" means wealth. This day has great
importance for rich community. It is believed that sixteen year
old son of King Hima according to his horoscope was doomed to
die on the fourth day of his marriage by a snake-bite .So, on
that particular fourth day of his marriage his worried wife
lighted innumerable lamps all over the place and laid all the
ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the
entrance of her husband's boudoir. And she went on telling
stories and singing songs through the night. When Yam-the god of
death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent the dazzle of
those brilliant lights blinded his eyes and he could not enter
the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on the heap of the ornaments
and coins and sat their whole night listening to the melodious
songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the wife saved
her husband and since then this day of Dhanteras came to be
known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept
burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam,
the god of Death.
On the first evening of Diwali, many Hindus light a single lamp,
a diya, and place in front of the house. The first day is of
great importance to the rich community of India Houses and
Business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are
made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs
to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To
indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn
with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps
are kept burning all through the nights. Believing this day to
be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one
or two new utensils.
The Second day is called Narka-Chaturdashi or Chhoti
Diwali that falls on the fourteenth day of the month of
Ashwin. The legend related to this day is about the King Bali of
the nether world that mighty power had become a threat to the
gods. In order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a
small boy visited him and begged him to give him only that much
land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for his
philanthropy King Bali proudly granted him his wish. So with his
first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the
second steps the earth and asked Bali where to keep his third
step. Bali offered his head and putting his foot on his head
Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. But for his generosity
Lord Vishnu allowed him to return to earth once a year to light
millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and
spread the radiance of love and wisdom.
This is a day when Hindus arise earlier than usual. The men,
especially, will rub their bodies with perfumed oils before
bathing. Afterwards, clean clothes are worn; some people wear
new ones. In the morning and in the evening, mixes of bright and
loud fireworks are set off in an atmosphere of joyful fun and
noise. Houses are lit with oil lamps in evening. This creates an
enchanting magical atmosphere.
The Third day of the festival of Diwali is the most
important day of Lakshmi-Puja, which is entirely devoted
to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi. This day is also known
by the name of "Chopada-Puja". The day of Lakshmi-Puja
falls on the dark night of Amavasya. Lakshmi represents good
fortune, wealth and beauty. Hindus invite the goddess to enter
their homes and bless them with good health, happiness and good
fortune. Diyas are lit to welcome the goddess into the homes and
lives of the worshippers. Even poor people who cannot afford the
oil to light too many diyas will make sure that at least a
single diya is lit so that Lakshmi may bless them. Pictures of
Lakshmi show her either standing or sitting on a Lotus flower.
Another way of welcoming the goddess Lakshmi into people's homes
is by drawing Rangoli patterns on the floor of the entrance of
each house. A Rangoli is a sign of welcome. Some Hindus draw one
daily as a way of welcoming guests. On the day of Diwali, the
whole house is lighted with oil lamps. In addition to the
lighting the façade and the sides of the house, one lamp is
always placed in areas which are dark. For Hindus who are in
business and trade, the settling of accounts marks this day.
This is another reason why the goddess Lakshmi is so important
during this festival. She is worshipped in the hope that in the
new 'Financial year' of trading, she will bring prosperity.
The Fourth day is called Padwa or VarshaPratipada
that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and
Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day. Govardhan-Puja
is also performed in the North on this day. As per Vishnu-Puran,
the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honour of
Lord Indra and worshipped him after the end of every monsoon
season. But one particular year the young Krishna stopped them
from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a
deluge to submerge Gokul. But Krishna saved his Gokul by lifting
up the Govardhan Mountain and holding it over the people as an
umbrella. This day is also observed as Annakoot meaning mountain
of food. In temples especially in Mathura and Nathadwara, the
deities are given milkbath, dressed in shining attires with
ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other
precious stones. After the prayers and traditional worship
innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are offered to the
deities as "Bhog" and then the devotees approach and
take Prasad. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in every Hindu
household. In many Hindu homes it is a custom for the wife to
put the red tilak on the forehead of her husband, garland him
and do his "Aarathi" with a prayer for his long life.
In appreciation of all the tender care that the wife showers on
him, the husband gives her a costly gift. This Gudi Padwa is
symbolic of love and devotion between the wife and husband. On
this day newly married daughters with their husbands are invited
for special meals and given presents. Diwali celebration is a
very happy occasion for all.
The Fifth and final day of Diwali Festival is known by
the name of "Bhaiya-Dooj" This day is observed
as a symbol of love between sisters and brothers. It is believed
that on this day Yamraj -the god of death visited his sister
Yami and she put the auspicious till on his forehead, they ate
talked and enjoyed together and exchanged special gifts as a
token of their love for each other and Yamraj announced that
anyone who receives tilak from his sister on this day will never
be thrown. Since then it became imperative for the brother to go
to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaiya Dooj.
Some Beliefs about Diwali
Why do people clean and decorate their homes for Diwali?
Diwali is considered to be the festival of the Goddess wealth
and prosperity Laxmi - Goddess Laxmi visits all homes to bless
the people and so to welcome the goddess homes are cleaned &
decorated.
Why do people Light up their homes with clay oil lamps?
People light up their homes to welcome Goddess Laxmi. Clay lamps
also indicates the victory of Light over Darkness, Good over
Evil, as well as the victory of Truth over Falsehood and that
man can succeed only through his virtues.
Why do people play cards on Diwali?
It is believed that goddess Parvati played dice with her
husband, Lord Shiv on this day and she decreed that whosoever
gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuring
year.This tradition of playing cards- flash and rummy with
stakes on this particular day continues even to day.
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