Diwali - The Festival Of Lights

Diwali - Five Days Of Diwali

Five Days Of Diwali
Deewali is a festival of joy, splendor, brightness and happiness.
It is the festival of lights and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by all Indians all over the world.
The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal.
People celebrate each of its five days of festivities with true understanding, it will uplift and enrich the lives.

The first day of Diwali: Dhanteras
The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras.
It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh, the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic for mankind.
This day marks the beginning of Deepawali celebrations.
On this day at sunset, Hindus should bathe and offer a lighted deeya with Prasad (sweets offered at worship time) to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death and pray for protection from untimely death. This offering should be made near a Tulsi tree, the Holy Basil or any other sacred tree that one might have in their yard.

The second day of Diwali: Choti Diwali
The second day of Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi.
On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. On this day, one should massage the body with oil to relieve it of tiredness, bathe and rest so that Diwali can be celebarated with vigour and devotion.
On this night, Yama Deeya should not be lit.
The Shastras (Laws of Dharma) declares that Yama Deeya should be offered on Triodasi night with Prasad.
Some people mistook it to mean that because Yama Deeya was lit on that night, that it should always be lit on the night before Diwali.
This is absolutely not true. It is advisable that one consults with a learned Pandit or Hindu Astrologer for proper guidance on this matter.

The third day of Diwali: Lakshmi Puja on Diwali
This is the day when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed.
Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and they worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

The fourth day of Diwali: Padwa & Govardhan Puja
On this day, Govardhan Pooja is performed.
Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Govardhan Pooja.
From then on, every year Hindus worship Govardhan to honour that first Pooja done by the people of Vraja.

The fifth day of Diwali: Bhai Duj
The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhratri Dooj.
This is the day after Goverdhan Pooja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day. It is a day dedicated to sisters.
Many moons ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day.
He gave his sister a Vardhan (a boon) that whosoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins.
They will achieve Moksha or final emancipation.
From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their welfare.
This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations.
This is also known as Bhai fota among Bengalis.
Bhai fota is an event especially among Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother's safety, success and well being.




Diwali Hindu Festival
Diwali also known as Deepawali is a major festival of the Hindus, celebrated in India and also in many parts of Nepal and around the world.
Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights, where lights are used to illuminate homes, streets and important buildings.
Its known to signify the victory of good over all evils.
As per Hindu mythology, Diwali is celebrated as the homecoming of king Rama, after fourteen years of exile.
In order to celebrate this occasion, the whole kingdom was lit up with lamps.
Ladies welcomed Lord Rama by lighting rows of lamps that are known as deepa in India, hence the festival derives its name.
There is also a belief that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, on this auspicious day. In the Jainism faith it is believed that it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira.
The preparations of this festive day is made well in advance.
The women of the house start cleaning their homes to welcome the Goddess of wealth. Traditional sweets are made so that offerings can be made to the deity.
On this important day of Diwali, the Lords are bathed in sacred water and placed in an altar for worship.
People prefer to stay with their near and dear ones, as per mythology.
It is believed that this day is the day of homecoming.
The most important event of this festive Diwali is the puja or worship of the goddess Laxmi.
As per Hindu mythology Laxmi is the goddess of wealth and Ganesh the Lord of prosperity. These two worships mark the beginning of the day, after which people illuminate their homes with lamps.
Lights are believed to remove evils from the society and bring in peace and prosperity.
After the traditional puja is performed, children usually burst firecrackers that signify the defeat of the evil.
This is the day of rejoicing and people celebrate by having elaborate breakfasts and lunch.
This is the day of meeting with friends and relatives.
Special dishes are prepared for the occasion.
There are many people who perform tarpan, or offer water and sesame seeds for the soul of their ancestors.
Diwali is considered to be one of the most awaited festivals of the Hindus.


info courtesy worldwideweb