~ DIWALI ~

[MysteRy]

Diwali is a five day festival that represents the start of the Hindu New Year. It honors the victory of good over evil, and brightness over darkness. It also marks the start of winter.

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. Even though it may mean different things to Hindus in different religions, Diwali is as important to Hindus as Christmas is to Christians. Diwali is also a meaningful celebration to the Sikh community. The word Diwali is adapted from Sanskrit word "Deepawali," which means a row or cluster of lights. Diwali itself is known as the Festival of Lights. It is an annual observance held during the autumn month the Hindus called Karthika. Common to the celebrations held throughout the Hindu world is the presence of a display of lights.

In India, Diwali is a time to worship the goddess of wealth, who is known as Lakshmi. Houses are prepared for her arrival by being completely cleaned and white-washed. On the night of the festival, the houses are illuminated by many lights, whether candles, oil lamps or electric bulbs. It is not uncommon for a house to display rows of oil lamps on its roof, on its outer walls and in its yard or garden. It is believed that Lakshmi will not give her blessing to a home that is not illuminated for her welcome. As in festivals of other cultures, fireworks are lit to celebrate this special night. But as well as delighting the spectators, the fireworks are believed to chase away evil spirits. Almost every house participates in the fireworks display, and the noisy and colorful celebration illuminates whole streets and villages well into the night.

[MysteRy]

Diwali is the festival that brings a series of festivals with it. One after another we get a chance to celebrate five festivals together. The people of all age groups and classes with equal zeal and enthusiasm celebrate Diwali throughout India.

Diwali is not only a festival of celebrations such as lightings, crackers, cleanliness, colorful rangoli making, social gatherings to exchange greetings and sharing sweets with your loved ones but it is also a festival that is filled with spiritualism and religious activities such as worship of Goddess Lakshmi, worship of Lord Ganesha, worship of Mother Kali, worship of Lord Chitragupta and worship of Govardhan Parvat.

The Diwali festival is all about lots of shopping, happiness, togetherness and almost one week's holiday. The celebration of the five-day long festival, Diwali begins on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdashi and concludes on Kartika Shudha Vijaya. The first day of this festival begins with 'Dhan Trayodashi' or 'Dhanteras'. After the Dhanvantari Trayodashi the second day of Diwali is 'Narak Chaturdashi', which is popular as 'Chhoti Diwali'.

The third day of Diwali, which is also called 'Badi Diwali' is the main day of celebrations of the festival of Diwali. People perform Lakshmi Pujan (worship of divine Goddess Lakshmi) on this day and offer prayers to Her to bless them with wealth and prosperity. The fourth day of Diwali is devoted to Govardhan Pooja (worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat).

The fifth day of the Diwali is Bhai Dooj, the time to honour the brother-sister relationship.

The day of Diwali has special significance for the business community as they consider this day to be the perfect time to begin their new financial year.

Some people also indulge in gambling on the day of Diwali because it is a believed that wife of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati played dice with Him on this day and therefore those, who gamble on this auspicious day, are blessed with prosperity.

[MysteRy]

The history of Diwali is originated from various Hindu religious scriptures, mainly the Puranas. Like in many parts of Nepal and India, the myth behind the celebration of Diwali is the victory of Rama over Ravana and then the return of Rama in Ayodhya with Lakshman and Sita after their 14 year exile in forest. Legend says, the people of Ayodhya greeted Rama by lighting rows of lamps.

Thus it was named as Deepawali, deep (lamp) avali (rows). Tracing back to the history of ancient India, Diwali was celebrated as the main harvest festival. But later it is being celebrated following the Hindu treatise. As per the Hindu almanac or Panjika, Diwali is celebrated on Amavasya, the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin, i.e. October or November every year. But the main Diwali festival is a five day long ritual commences with Dhanwantari Triodasi or Dhan Theras. Second day of Diwali is referred as Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi or Naraka Chaturdasi.

Third day is Amavasya or the main Diwali. Worship of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, is performed as according to the Hindu mythology Lakshmi was incarnated on this day, the new moon day of the Kartik month. Fourth day is known as Kartika Shudda Padyami or Bali Padyami. It is believed that Bali would come out on this day from Pathala Loka to rule Bhuloka as such a boon was given by Lord Vishnu. The fifth or last day of Diwali is known as Yama Dvitiya or Bhai Dooj or Bhratri Dooj. This day is marked for the celebration of sister-brother relationship.

These five days of Diwali hold five different significant myths or stories with them. Like, first day or Naraka Chaturdashi is the 14th lunar day or 'thithi' of the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. It tells a story of Narkasur and Lord Krishna. Krishna, the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, killed the demon Narakasura with the help of Satyabhama, wife of Krishna. Narakasura was creating havoc among the people of the three worlds. He was powered by a boon that only his mother could kill him. So Krishna reincarnated his wife Satyabhama as mother of Narakasura and made her the charioteer of Krishna. Ultimately in a fight between krishna and Narakasura, the evil Demon was killed by her mother and peace was restored on the earth. This story carries a significant moral lesson that a mother can also kill her evil son.

Thousands of myths, legends, stories, traditions, rituals but nationwide celebration. Diwali is in true sense the festival of unity in diversity. It brings people together in spite of religious, cultural, social or geographical barriers. The way of celebrating Diwali has been changed over the period of time.

Now Diwali is associated with exchange of gifts and cards. And not only in India, now Diwali is also celebrated all over the world. People residing outside India find this festival a special occasion to get connected with their homeland, their family and friends, if not physically but emotionally.

This is the occasion when they can convey their warm wishes and love by sending gifts to India. So send Diwali Gifts to your near and dear ones staying in different cities in India.

[MysteRy]

Dhanteras marks the first day of Diwali celebrations. Dhanteras or Dhanvantari Trayodashi falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November). The word ‘Dhan’ means money or wealth in Hindi. On this day people worship the Goddess Lakshmi or the Goddess of Wealth.

The mercantile community particularly celebrates Dhanteras. For them, Dhanteras marks a New Years time for their business.

Legend of Lord Dhanwantari
It is believed that during the churning of ocean process carried out by Gods and demons, Dhanvantari - the Physician of Gods and the incarnation of Lord Vishnu emerged carrying a jar or Amrut (elixir) on the day of Dhanteras. Hence, Lord Dhanavantari is worshiped by many on the day of Dhanteran.

Legend of Yamadeep Daan Ritual
This intriguing legend narrates the story of sixteen-year-old son of King Hima who according to horoscope was doomed to die of snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage. Aware of the prophecy, the clever wife made a plan. On the particular day the wife did not allow her husband to sleep. Further, she heaped all her silver and gold ornaments at the entrance of the door and illuminated the whole place with lamps. The wife sang and narrated stories to keep her husband awake. When Lord Yama - the Mythological God of Death arrived in the guise of the serpent, the lights dazzled his eyes and he could not enter the room of King Hima’s son. The serpent sat on the heap of ornaments and spent the night mesmerized by the melodious songs sung by Princess’s wife and quietly went away in the morning. As the Prince was saved by the illumination of the lit lamps, the tradition of ‘Yamadeep Daan’ became popular amongst people. Hence, the lamps are kept burning throughout the night on Dhanteras in reverence to Lord Yama.






The second day of Diwali festival or the day after Dhanteras is celebrated as Choti Diwali or Narak Chaturdasi. The day falls on the fourteenth day of the month of Kartik and celebrates the death of demon Naraksura by Lord Krishna.Hence, Narak Chaturdasi festival marks the end of evil and the beginning of joy and laughter.

Legends of Choti Diwali
A popular legend states that it was on the day of Chhoti Diwali that Lord Krishna freed the earth from fear and the tyranny of demon King Narakasur - the ruler of Pragjyotishpur (a province in the South of Nepal). It is said that after defeating Lord Indra, demon King Narakasur snatched away the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the Mother Goddess and imprisoned 16,000 daughters of the Gods and saints in his harem. To free the people from the evil deeds of Narakasur, Lord Krishna killed the demon a before Choti Diwali and liberated the women besides recovering the precious earrings of Goddess Aditi. To celebrate Narakasur-Vadh, Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon’s blood and returned home in the wee hours of Narakachaturdashi day. Elated with Krishna’s victory, womenfolk massaged scented oil on the Lord’s body and gave him a special bath to wash away the demon’s blood. From then on began the custom of taking a bath before sunrise on the Narak Chaturdasi day. Bhudevi - the Mother of Narakasura declared that the death of Narakasura should not be mourned but celebrated by all.






Lakshmi Puja or the worship of Goddess of Wealth is the major event of Diwali celebrations especially in the Northern and Western India. Lakshmi Puja takes place on the third and the main day of Diwali. On this day traditional worship of Goddess Lakshmi is sincerely performed in all households and business establishments after sunset. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits every house during Diwali and gives blessings of peace and prosperity. People light up rows of lamps in the house to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity and also to light up her path. There is a tradition to keep the house spotlessly clean on Diwali as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi loves cleanliness and visits the cleanest house first. This also explains why broom is worshiped with an offering of haldi (turmeric) and kumkum (vermilion) on Diwali.

Legend of Lakshmi Puja
Hindu mythology regards Goddess Lakshmi as the Goddess of light, beauty, wealth and good fortune. She is said to be the daughter of sage Bhrigu who took refuge in the ocean of milk and was reborn during the famous ocean churning process carried out by Gods and demons. Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Goddess of Wealth and hence Lakshmi Puja is a very important part of the celebrations. Goddess Lakshmi chose Lord Vishnu as her consort. People worship Goddess Lakshmi to gain riches but Goddess resides only with those who work hard and avoids the company of lazy or those who regard money as everything in life. It may be noted that Lakshmi Puja is actually a combined puja of five deities. Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms - Mahalakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth and Money), Mahasaraswati (the Goddess of Books and Learning), and Mahakali. Worshipping of Kuber (the Treasurer of the Gods) is also an integral part of Lakshmi Puja.






The fourth day of Diwali is celebrated as Goverdhan Puja and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat.

The festival commemorates the incident of Lord Krishna lifting Mount Gowardhan. The auspicious day is also celebrated as Padwa or Varshapratipada and Balipratipada.

Legends of Goverdhan Puja
According to Vishnu Purana, citizens of Gokul - a small town in Uttar Pradesh, used to celebrate a festival at the end of monsoon to worship Lord Indra and express their gratitude for the rains.

However, one particular year, young Krishna stopped the people of Gokul from worshiping Lord Indra and persuaded them to worship the fields and the cattle instead as they help in creating wealth. Following the incident there was a heavy downpour in Gokul. People got frightened as they felt that Lord Indra was angry with them and has sent a deluge to submerge the town.

To save the scared people of Gokul, mighty Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan (a small hillock in Braj, near Mathura) on his little finger and sheltered men and beasts from the heavy rain. Lord Indra accepted the supremacy of Krishna and from then on Lord Krishna also came to be known as Govardhandhari.






The five-day-long festival of Diwali culminates with the celebration of Bhai-Dooj. The festival cherishes the affectionate relationship between brothers and sisters. On this day sisters apply sacred red tilak on brother’s forehead and pray for their long life. Brothers in turn bless their sister and promise to protect them at all times. The day of Bhai Tika falls on the second day of the bright fortnight or Shukla Paksh in the Hindu month of Kartik. As the name suggest the festival is celebrated on the day of Dooj which the next day after new moon.

Legends of Bhai Duj
A very popular legend related to Bhaiyya Dooj says that once Lord Yamaraj - the Hindu mythological God of Death visited his twin sister Yami or Yamuna on auspicious the day of Dooj after a long period of separation. Yami welcomed her brother with exceptional warmth. She applied tilak on brother’s forehead and performed arti of him. She also treated her brother with a sumptuous meal of his favorite dishes. Yamaraj was elated with the affection he received and gave a special gift to Yami. He also declared that whosoever receives tika and meal from his sister on Dooj day will never be hurled to hell. Since then the custom of celebrating Bhai Duj or Yamadwitheya is being carried out by brothers and sisters in India.

Another popular legend of Bhai Phota says that after slaying the demon Narakasura, Lord Krishna went to meet his sister Subhadra. The affectionate Subhadra greeted victorious Krishna by garlanding him and applying sacred tilak on his forehead.

Yet another legend says that after the nirvana of Bhagawaan Mahavir, his brother Raja Nandivardhan became extremely melancholic and depressed. He was brought back to normalcy with the assistance and affection of sister Sudarshana. From then on, women began to be revered on Bhai Duj .

[MysteRy]

India, the land of rich cultural heritage, has one or the other festival for every month. It is the spiritual and religious richness in India that each festival is related to some or other deity. One of such festival is the 'festival of lights' - Deepawali. It is the glorious occasion that is not restricted to one day, but extended to a five-day celebration. All through these five days, people are in a festive mood. Adding to the festivity is the colorful display of lights.

Like every other Hindu festival, stories from Mythology are associated with Diwali too. Given below is information on the celebrations of Diwali.

Stories & Legends of Deepawali

Return of Shri Ram To Ayodhyaa



The most famous legend behind the celebrations of Diwali is about the prince of Ayodhya Nagri - Lord Shri Ram. The king of Lanka, Ravana, kidnapped Ram's wife - Sita from the jungle, where they were staying as per the instructions of King Dashratha, father of Lord Ram. In order to freed Sita from Ravana's custody, Ram attacked him. This was followed by a war, in which, Ram defeated Ravan and released Sita from his custody. On the arrival of Lord Ram along with his wife Sita, people of Ayodhya decorated their homes as well as the city of Ayodhyaa by lighting tiny diyas all over, in order to welcome their beloved prince Shri Ram and Devi Sita.


Incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi



On the auspicious new moon day, which is 'Amavasyaa' of the Hindi month of Kartik, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity - Lakshmi was incarnated. She appeared during the churning of the ocean, which is known as 'Samudra Manthan', by the demons on one side and 'Devataas' (Gods) on the other side.

Therefore, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the Lakshmi Pujan, on the day of Diwali, became a tradition.


Coronation of King Vikramaditya



Another legend or story about Diwali celebrations relates to one of the greatest Hindu King - Vikramaditya.

It was the day when he was coroneted and the people celebrated this event by lighting tiny earthen 'diyas'.


The Return of The Pandavas



The great Hindu epic 'Mahabharata' has another interesting story related to the 'Kartik Amavasyaa'. According to the story, 'the Pandavas', the five brothers Yudhishthhira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahdeva, were sentenced to thirteen years exile as a result of their defeat against 'the Kauravas' - Duryodhana and his ninety nine brothers, at the game of dice. Therefore, the Pandavas spent thirteen years in the jungles and returned to their kingdom on the day of 'Kartik Amavasyaa'. On their return, the people of their kingdom welcomed the Pandavas by celebrating the event by lighting the earthen lamps all over in their city.


Lord Krishna Destroyed Demon Narakasur



One famous story behind the celebrations of Diwali is about Narakasur, who was ruler of Pragjyotishpur, a province to the South of Nepal. After acquiring victory over Lord Indra during a war, Narakasur snatched away the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi, who was not only the ruler of Suraloka, but also a relative of Lord Krishna's wife - Satyabhama. Narakasur also imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of Gods and saints in his harem. With the support of Lord Krishna, Satyabhama defeated Narakasur, released all the women from his harem and restored the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi.