DIWALI Festival of Light And Significance of DEEPAVALI

Indians celebrate various festivals throughout the year. They are related to natural cycles of seasons, or to the agricultural cycle. Some honor the diverse Gods and Goddesses of India.Others derived from its ancient mythology and legends, celebrating the births and victories of its great heroes.

Diwali is a major festival as it combines elements of all these diverse reasons for celebrating a festival. Hence Diwali is celebrated as a “New Year festival” across India.Diwali is a five day festival. The highlights of the main festivals and their significance during Diwali.

Dhanteras is celebrated two days before Diwali.

After the monsoon, farmers harvest the new crops and sell them just before Diwali. In the old days, they used to invest this money in seeds for the winter crop, new farming implements, farm animals, buying gold & silver. As a result, Dhanteras is considered to be an especially lucky day for buying gold & silver.

People go shopping on the day, buy presents, food, new clothes and jewellery. In the evening, everyone sits down with their family to pray to the goddess Lakshmi. They thank her for their good fortune so far and pray for future prosperity of the family.

Narak Chaturdasi is celebrated one day before Diwali.

The second day of Diwali is Narak Chaturdasi. Narak means 'of a new era of Light and Knowledge'. Chaturdasi means fourteenth day. Narak Chataurdasi is the fourteenth day of the dark lunar forth night of the month of Kartik. this is the eve of Diwali. On this day Krishna destroyed demon Narakasura and made the world free from his fear.

Laxmi Pujan or Diwali is the final day of the year.

The third day is the main day of the festival of Diwali. Lamps are lighten and shine brightly in homes.. Lakshmi Puja on diwali is performed this day, Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and Ganesha , the Lord of Happiness. Lakshmi puja on Diwali is performed for prosperity, abundance, and spiritual prosperity. This Laxmi Puja is performed in the evening.

Many millenniums ago, people of Ayodhya awaited the return of their beloved prince Rama from a fourteen year exile. Having conquered the evil king Ravana, he was coming home with his wife Sita, brother Lakshman and many new found friends from South India. They lit lamps to guide his flying chariot home.

In the evening, lamps are lit all over the house. Fireworks are let off to celebrate the end of the year and beginning of a new year. Families get together for a feast, children get gifts - presents and cash from their elders and everyone has lots of fun.

New Year’s day, or Bali Pratipada

Everyone wakes up early, dresses in new clothes and visits family and friends to wish them health, wealth and happiness for the coming year. People visit temples and pray to the Gods for a good year ahead.

This is a new year and post-harvest festival. Hindus offer the first food of the year to the Gods in the form of an Anna-kut – a mountain of food. Once blessed, the food is given out to everyone who visits the temples. Later, everyone comes home to have a large dinner with their loved ones.

Many millenniums ago, on this day, Lord Krishna inspired his friends and family to share the bounty of nature with everyone in the community. To mark that momentous event, on the New Year’s day, crops from the monsoon harvest are cooked and first offered to the Gods. The blessed / consecrated food is shared by everyone, regardless of race, gender, class or caste.

Fifth Bhai-bij or Bhai-duj day

Love and bond of kinship between brothers and sisters is celebrated on the second day of the New Year. Sisters invite their brothers to their home for a feast.

This officially marks the end of the five day Diwali festival.

In India, many offices and businesses remain closed till the 6th day after Diwali and reopen on “Labha pacham”.

New Year heralds a new life and new beginning for everyone.

We wish you a happy and prosperous Diwali