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Diwali
is a five day Hindu festival which occurs on the
fifteenth day of Kartika. During this time, homes are
thoroughly cleaned and windows
are opened to welcome Laksmi, goddess of wealth.Candles and lamps are lit as
a greeting to Laksmi. Gifts are exchanged and festive
meals are prepared during Diwali. Diwali, being the
festival of lights, thousands of lamps are lit in
and outside every home on the day. Lamp or
“Deep” is the symbol of knowledge. Lighting the lamp of
knowledge within us means to understand and reflect upon
the significant purpose of each of the five days of
festivities and to bring those thoughts in to our day to
day lives.
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The first day of
Diwali:
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 medicine (medicine which promotes
healthy long life) for mankind.
This day marks the beginning of Diwali 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 Tulsie tree (the
Holy Basil) or any other sacred tree that one might have
in their yard. If there is no sacred tree, a clean place
in the front yard will suffice. |
The second day of
Diwali:
The second day of Diwali is called Narak
Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of
the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik and the eve
of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon
Narakasur and made the world free from fear. On this
day, we should massage our bodies with oil to relieve it
of tiredness, bathe and rest so that we can celebrate
Diwali 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.
The misconception that Yama Deeya should be offered on
the night before Diwali came about some years ago when
the fourteenth lunar day (Chaturdasi) was of a very
short duration and caused Triodasi to extend into the
night before Diwali. 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: Actual
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.
On this day, Goverdhan Pooja is
performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna
caused the people of Vraja to perform Goverdhan Pooja.
From then on, every year Hindus worship Goverdhan to
honour that first Pooja done by the people of Vraja.
It is written in the Ramayan that when the bridge
was being built by the Vanar army, Hanuman (a divine
loyal servant of Lord Rama possessing enormous strength)
was bringing a mountain as material to help with the
construction of the bridge. The call was given that
enough materials was already obtained. Hanuman placed
the mountain down before He could have reached the
construction site. Due to lack of time, He could not
have returned the mountain to its original place.
The deity presiding over this mountain spoke to Hanuman
asking of His reason for leaving the mountain there.
Hanuman replied that the mountain should remain there
until the age of Dwapar when Lord Rama incarnates as
Lord Krishna in the form of man. He, Lord Krishna will
shower His grace on the mountain and will instruct that
the mountain be worshiped not only in that age but but
in ages to come. This deity whom Hanuman spoke to was
none other than Goverdhan (an incarnation of Lord
Krishna),who manifested Himself in the form of the
mountain.
To fulfill this decree, Goverdhan Pooja was performed
and is continued to be performed today.
The fifth day of Diwali.
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. We have heard about
Raksha Bandhan (brothers day). Well this is sisters day.
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.
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Rumela Recommended
Sites |
Netglimse - Diwali Celebration, Rituals,
Kalipuja, Recipe
DiwaliFestival.org - Diwali Celebration,
Rangoli, Bhai Duj, Greetings
Bhaidooj.org - Bhaidooj, Recipe, Greetings, History |
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