Diwali Festival

Deepawali or Diwali is celebration of the triumph of good over evil, joy over despair, hope over despondency and this is epitomized as the festival of lights. Lights have a deep significance in Indian culture. Lights are solemn part of every celebration, new endeavor, and also have a sanctifying significance in rituals and prayers. This popular festival five day festival is biggest festival in the country and is celebrated with pomp, fervor and enthusiasm. This festival is observed not only by Hindus but also by Jains and Sikhs alike. Hence the significance and the celebrations also have dimension in terms of celebrations and the significance of the same. For Hindu it is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing the traditional puja and various other observances. Legend has it that Hanuman (the legendary monkey-god and prime devotee of Lord Rama, the God-hero of the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana) delivered the much awaited message of Rama’s return to Ayodhya (Rama’s kingdom) after 14 years in exile. The entire kingdom rejoiced upon hearing the news and Ayodhya was washed, cleansed and dressed up with lights and shimmering earthen lamps to welcome the Lord himself. Diwali is celebrated even today to commemorate this event.  For Jains this is a festival of solemnity of Liberation (Moksha) as believers keep the remembrance or the celebration of the moksha or attainment of nirvana by Lord Mahavira. Arya Samajists commemorates the death anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati. This day is also kept as Shardiya Nay Shasyesthi.

Deepawali in literal translation means a row of lamps. The main observances of this festival is the prayer celebrations that is puja lighting of small clay lamps that are filled with oil, bursting of firecrackers. Each of these observances have their distinctive significance. While lighting lamps signify the triumph of good over evil and also done in order to make the Goddess Laxmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst in order to ward off evil spirits. Deepawali is a new beginning and hence individual dress to their finest and share sweets and snacks with their family members and friends.

The festival of Diwali commences with Dhanteras. This is the day on which most Indian businesses commence their financial year. This day is also celebrated as "Dhanatrayodashi" or "Dhanvantari Trayodashi”. On this business premises are also renovated and decorated. Entrances of homes are decorated with traditional motifs of Rangoli are made to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her arrival small foot prints are drawn in rice flower and vermillion. Oils are kept burning throughout the entire night. Hindus also regard this day as highly auspicious to purchase gold and silver and atleast one or two new untensils as they consider metal purchased on this day to bring them good luck. Laxmi Puja is performed in the evening when tiny diyas of clay are lit to drive out he shadows of evil spirits. Bhajhans and devotional songs in praise of Goddess Laxmi are also sung.

The Second day is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdasi. Celebrated on the second day of the Diwali, this day is allotted to the worship of MahaKali or Shakti as it is believed that the Goddess Kali vanquished the wicked Narakasura. This day also exhortation for devotees to abolish evil and laziness that causes pain and suffering in the lives of others. This is the solemn day of Kali Poojan. On this day a head wash and application of kajal in the eyes is believed to ward off the evil eye. Alternately people also offer Nived to the Goddess from where they originate (Kuldevta) from. This day devotees arise before sunrise. Men rub their bodies with perfumed oils before bathing. Clean Clothes are worn some wear new clothes. A large breakfast is enjoyed with friends and relatives. Sweet dishes are served with the mid day meal and the evening festivities include the lighting of lamps and the burning of crackers.

Amavasya is the third day of Diwali which marks the worship of the Goddess Laxmi. The fourth day of Diwali is also called Karthika Shudda Padyami. The fifth and final day of Diwali festivities are known as Yama Dvitya or Bhai Dooj. On this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes as part of the festivities.