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|| Diwali - Festival of Lights || |
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Free Diwali Greetings from 123 Greetings || Back to Hindu Culture |
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Diwali or Deepawali meaning row of lights is one of the most popular and widely celebrated religious Hindu festivals. It is a festival of lights. Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Prabhu Shri Ramachandra on his return to Ayodhya after fourteen years in exile (vanawas). Diwali is the coronation of Lakshi and Narayan as the first Empress and Emperor of the Golden Age or Satyuga. All devotees invoke the blessings of Mother Lakshmi during this period. Diwali is the celebration of the victory of the divine virtues over the vices of anger, greed, ego lust and attachment. In short, it is referred to as victory of "Good over Evil" or "Light over darkness".. |
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|| Dhanteras || 1st day of Diwali The First day of Diwali is called Dhanteras or Dhantryaodashi, which falls on the thirteenth day of the lunar month of Ashwin. Some families perform Dhan Poojan on this day on the similar lines of Lakshmi Poojan. It is believed that Dhan increases by performing Dhan Pooja.
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|| Narak Chaturdashi || 2nd day of Diwali It is the fourteenth lunar day (tithi) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Ashwin and the eve of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. Every one gets up very early in the morning & takes bath before sun-rise. It is believed that those who take bath after sun rise do not go to heaven but goes to Narak (Hell) after death. |
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|| Lakshmi Poojan/Diwali || 3rd day of Diwali On the dark new moon night in the month of Ashwin, the entrances to all homes & businesses are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. Lakshmi Poojan is performed through priest on this day. Diwali is the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business and businessmen perform Chopdi (Books of Account) Poojan on this day on the new books of accounts. Diwali is the festival when the new business year begins it is said that Diwali is the "Time to shop or start new ventures". |
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|| Bali-Pratipada/Padva || 4th day of Diwali - New Year day The Fourth day of Diwali is called Padva or VarshaPratipada, which falls on Pratipada (1st day) of lunar month of Kartik. It marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padva day. Also as per one story in Hindu Mythology, on Kartik Pratipada, Lord Vishnu in form of Vaman Avatara killed King Bali who had imprisoned Shri Lakshmi and other deities. On this day after the Lakshmi Poojan, most families celebrate the new year by wearing new clothes, jewellery and visiting family members and business colleagues to give them sweets, dry fruits and gifts. On this day, Goverdhan Pooja is performed. 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. But one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. But 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. In temples especially in Mathura and Nathadwara, the deities are given doodhbhat, dressed in shining attires with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones. On this day wife performs aukshan to her husband, who in return offers a gift as a token of love & affection. |
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|| Bhau Beej || Yamadwitiya - 5th day of Diwali The second day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Kartik is called "Bhaiya-Duj". Many years ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Lord of death) visited His sister Yamuna (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 never be thrown in Naraka (Hell). As per another story Yama granted amnesty to those who lit earthen lamps and followed the righteous path. Since then it became imperative for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaubeej and have the teeka applied on his forehead. It is a day dedicated to sisters. As Raksha Bandhan is a Brothers Day, Bhau beej is a Sisters Day. On Bahubeej, every brother visits his sister who performs aukshan, wishes him a long & healthy life and offers him sweets with warmth. Brother in exchange offers a present as a token of love & affection. |
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|| Happy Diwali || |
|| Dhan Teras || Narak Chaturdashi || Laxmi Poojan || Padva || Bhau Beej ||