DIWALI THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
Diwali is one of the biggest festival of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third days is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or 'Festival of lights'. Different colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with this festival. On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. The festival od Diwali is never complete without exchange of gifts. People present diwali gifts to all near and dear ones.
FIVE DAYS OF DIWALI:
The festival of Diwali has been celebrated for ages and the history of Diwali celebrations is as old as the history of India. Everyone on this festival enjoys the delicious Diwali sweets, the brightly lit Diwali Lamps and Diwali diyas, and the excitement for living that suddenly grips people around this time. But the festival of Diwali symbolizes much more than these things. This real meaning of Diwali can be understood in the history of Diwali, which tells you the story behind the origin and the grand celebrations of Diwali.The history of Diwali, one of the greatest festivals celebrated with much enthusiasm and fervor all over the country is replete with different kinds of legends,
which are moored to the Puranas, the mythological scriptures of Hindus. There have been so many important legends associated with the occasion of Diwali that five days have been accredited for the celebration of Diwali in India with each day holding importance of its own. The following are the five days of Diwali, each having the rituals and myths of its own.
Our country is known throughout the world for it's celebratory fervor. Fresh flowers, exchange of gifts, new clothes, meeting new and old friends and offerings of traditional sweets sum up a typical celebration of Diwali in India . Diwali is one festival which is celebrated with utmost excitement not only in India but also in other parts of the world. The importance of Diwali in India is so great that there are five days of Diwali preserved for its celebration. Uniting all members of the community, young and old, rich or poor, the lighting of the lamps on Diwali represents a way of paying obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and valued fame.
People give expressions to their happiness by lighting earthen Diwali diyas and Diwali lamps 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 of Diwali sweets . 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.
* - The First day is called Dhanteras or Dhantryaodashi
* - The Second day is called Narka-Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali
* - The Third day of the festival of Diwali is the day for Lakhmi Puja
* - The Fourth day is called Padwa or VarshaPratipada
* - The Fifth and final day of Diwali Festival is known by the name of Bhaiya-Dooj
· Dhanteras
· Choti Diwali
· Diwali
· Padwa
· Bhaiya-Dooj
Dhanteras:
The first day of Diwali is known by the name of Dhanteras or Dhantryaodashi, which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The word 'Dhan' signifies wealth and hence this day holds utmost importance for the business houses and for the rich people's community. According to a legend associated with this particular day sixteen-year-old son of King Hima according to his horoscope was doomed to die on the fourth day of his marriage by snakebite. Thus on the fourth day of his marriage his much worried young bride lighted innumerable lamps all over the place and laid all kinds of ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and 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 the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat their whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning He went away quietly. Thus the wife saved her husband and since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan".
Choti Diwali:
The second day of celebration of Diwali in India is known by the name of 'Choti Diwali' and is celebrated with the same fervor and enthusiasm as the main day of Diwali. The legend related to this day is about King Bali of the nether world whose 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 step 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. Though 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.
Diwali:
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. It is believed that on this auspicious day Lord Krishna discarded his body. One more interesting story related to this day is of a small boy called Nichiketa who believed that Yam, the god of Death was as black as the dark night of amavasya. But when he met Yam in person, he was puzzled seeing Yam's calm countenance and dignified stature. Yam explained to Nichiketa on this day of amavasya that by only passing through the darkness of death, man sees the light of highest wisdom and then only his soul can escape from the bondage of his mortal frame to mingle with the Supreme Power without whose will nothing moves in the world. It was then that Nichiketa realized the importance of worldly life and significance of death. Nichiketa's all doubts were set at rest and he whole-heartedly participated in Diwali celebrations.
Padwa:
The Fourth day is called Padwa or VarshaPratipada that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and the starting of the Vikaram-Samvat. 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 honor of Lord Indra and worshipped him after the end of every monsoon season. Though one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. 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 and prayers are offered in the temples.
Bhaiya-Dooj:
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 tilak 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 be blessed. Since then it has became imperative for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaiya Dooj.
Legendary Stories Behind Diwali:
Diwali, signifies as the festival of lights, which celebrates the abundance of autumn harvest and is dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The festival also marks an important date in the Hindu calendar, as according to legends the kingdom of Ayodhya celebrated the coming of Lord Rama after a long exile of fourteen years. The festival celebrates the coming of Lord Rama. The tradition of lighting diyas and candles dates back to history when the people of Avadha lighted diyas through out the kingdom to show way to their beloved Prince Ram, wife Sita and brothers. It is celebrated as the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Diwali also celebrates the power of the three goddesses, Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. Dhanteras is dedicated to Lakshmi, whose blessings are essential for a prosperous, fruitful and peaceful life. Kali-Chudash (the day before Diwali) is dedicated to Goddess Kali whose blessing gives us the strength to maintain the wealth we have. Strength, physical, mental and spiritual, is essential for all of us to lead a happy life. Diwali itself is dedicated to goddess Saraswati. Knowledge is the ultimate wealth, for it cannot be stolen from you; it is also the ultimate strength, for it often defeats brute force.
There are various legends associated with the festival of Diwali. Some of the famous legends are as follows:
According to the legends Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, was incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi. From that day she is worshipped as the symbol of wealth and prosperity. It is also said that on this very day Lord Vishnu rescued Goddess Lakshmi from the prison of Demon king bali and for that reason Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the day of Diwali. According to another legend Lord Krishna Killed the demon king Narakaasur on the day preceding Diwali, and rescued women from his captivity. The celebration of this victory of good over evil and celebration of freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day. According to the great epic 'Mahabharata', it was 'Kartik Amavashya' when the Pandavas returned after twelve years of banishment. The people of their kingdom who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps and by welcoming them. The celebration of Diwali is also associated with the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and returning back to Ayodhya his hometown. The people of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it to welcome their loving prince his wife and brother.
India encompasses in it's lap diverse cultures and therefore is imbued in the aura of festivities round the year. Most of the Indian festivals find their origin in Hindu Mythology. Diwali is one such widely loved festival. The popular story related to Diwali is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. But, that is not all. There are many mythical stories that enriches the significance of Diwali.
There are a number of myths surrounding the festival. For instance, the stories of the killing of Ravana and Narakasura, the emergence of Goddess Lakshmi etc. are the stories that accentuates the glory of Lord Rama and reinforce his position of "Purushottam", that is, the Man of Honor.
The festival of Diwali is the auspicious day when people enjoy sweets, new clothes and fireworks. Offering Puja to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi is the highlight of the day. People get their houses white washed and decorate them way before the festive day. Loved ones exchange gifts among each other. All these activities hold deep importance in the mythical stories.
The very essence of Diwali celebrations lie in these stories. In an attempt to honor the great Lord Rama, we have come up with some amazing tales, which have been passed on from generation to generation and are preserved as India's ancient heritage.
Diwali Customs and Traditions:
Diwali is traditionally known by the name of 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. There are whole lots of Diwali customs and traditions associated with the festival of Diwali in India, which make this festival worth celebrating.The Diwali customs and traditions are diverse and there are a lot many legends associated with the celebrations of Diwali.
These customs and traditions show the mythological aspect of Diwali and also reveal the festive mood of the Indians who actually follow these ancient traditions and customs, which have been passed on by their ancestors. So this Diwali, get to know about all the Diwali customs and traditions along with Diwalimela.
History of Diwali:
India is considered to be the land of festivals. And each of the festivals, which are celebrated here, has a reason or significance behind its celebration. Diwali the festival of light is also not an exception. It is celebrated across the country with lots of fervor and fun. Though the way it is celebrated differs from region to region according to the traditions and culture of that state but the reason behind its celebration remains same. The festival is celebrated by all there is no cast or age bar. The festival brings light in everybody's life. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity as every state celebrates it in its own special way. If we try to look for the origin of the festival we have to refer to history. And history tells us that the festival is celebrated mainly for four days commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi and concludes on Kartika Shudda Vijiya. And each day has a significance and history behind its celebration. The first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks the killing of the demon king Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.
The second day is Amavasya and according to the legends Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, was incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi. From that day she is worshipped as the symbol of wealth and prosperity. It is also said that on this very day Lord Vishnu rescued Goddess Lakshmi from the prison of Demon king bali and for that reason Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the day of Diwali. The third day is "Kartika Shudda Padyami." On this day Bali would come out of Pathala Loka and rule Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as "Bali Padyami". The fourth day is referred to as "Yama Dvitiya." On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes. Whereas according to legends it is also said that Lord Rama returned from exile to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his subjects illuminated the kingdom and burst crackers. Goddess Kali is also worshipped during this time.
Significance of Diwali:
Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame.
It is one time in the whole year that children volunteer to leave their beds long before the day begins. In fact, the traditional oil bath at 3 a.m, is the only chore that stands between them and the pre-dawn adventures. They emerge, scrubbed clean to get into their festive attire, and light up little oil lamps, candles and scented sticks(agarbathis), the wherewithal for setting alight crackers and sparklers.
Who shall set off the first chain of crackers that go boom, bang and vroom? and who is the owner of the 10-minute 'banger' that steals the thunder from your little chain of needle-sized crackers? Does the boy next door have more crackers than me?
Competition is stiff, and even the little girl in silk frocks and their finery are watching out for the best sparklers and flowerpots, the rockets and Vishnuchakras, which light-up the night sky like a thousand stars. Grown-ups are the soul of generosity. Festive bonhomie abounds.
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