Dewali

What is dewali Diwali or Deepaawali means an Array of Lamps  i.e .Rows of diyas (Deep = Lamp, Vali =Array) Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali is by far the most glamorous and important. Enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion, its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity. As a family festival, it is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin (October / November). It is a festival of lights symbolizing the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. It celebrates the victory of good over evil - and the glory of light. This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. Homes are decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of lamps lit to create a world of fantasy. Diwali is a time for fun and revelry. Diwali is also a time for pooja and tradition. Legend of Diwali Festival

There are a number of legends connected with the origin of Diwali.

But Diwali is widely celebrated as the day that Lord Rama returned triumphant to Ayodya after defeating Ravana.This aspect of Diwali is the most common and acceptable account with regards to the other origins of Diwali.

Main Legend: In the north, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and the surrounding areas, Diwali is the day when King Rama's coronation was celebrated in Ayodhya after his epic war with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. By order of the royal families of Ayodhya and Mithila, the kingdom of which Sita was princess, the cities and far-flung boundaries of these kingdoms were lit up with rows of lamps, glittering on dark nights to Welcome home the divine king Rama and his queen Sita after 14 years of exile, ending with an across-the-seas war in which the whole of the kingdom of Lanka was destroyed.

Second Legend: In rural areas, Diwali signifies Harvest Festival. Diwali which occurs at the end of a cropping season has along with the above custom, a few others that reinforce the hypothesis of its having originated as a harvest. Every harvest normally spelt prosperity. The celebration was first started in India by farmers after they reaped their harvests. They celebrated with joy and offered praises to God for granting them a good crop.

Third Legend:  Narakasura, a monster, ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram.  He was a trouble-maker to the gods and the pious sages and would disturb their penance or create havoc during the rituals. To prove his power, Narakasura usurped some territory of Aditi, (the king of Suraloka and a relative of Satyabhama, Lord Krishna's wife). Vexed with this harassment, Indra and other gods approached Lord Krishna and pleaded with him to protect them from the demon "Narakasura".Satyabhama appealed to Krishna to give her the golden chance to destroy Narakasura, as Narakasura was given a curse that he would be killed by a woman. Krishna granted her a boon to fight with Narakasura. With Krishna as the charioteer, Satyabhama entered the battle field and killed the demon, Narakasura. The killing of Narakasura was a victory of good over evil. It is interesting to note that Bhudevi, mother of the slain Narakasura, declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. Since then, Deepavali is being celebrated by people every year with joyous celebrations with lot of fun and frolic, and fire works.

Fourth Legend: On this day Mother Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with Her wealth and prosperity for mankind. On that day, Lakshmi Pooja was performed to honour Her and as such, every year on Diwali day, Hindus perform Her prayer and worship.The making and distribution of various sweets and total vegetarian foods are the order of the day.This practice is alive and well to this very day. Many people believe that Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and good fortune, visit the homes of devotees on this day.  Worship of Lakshmi is performed in the                          Celebration The First day of Diwali : Dhanteras The First day is called Dhanteras or Dhantryaodashi, which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. . The Second day of Diwali : Narak ChaturdasiIt 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. The third day : Diwali On the dark new moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. Lakshmi Puja is performed on this day. Diwali is the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business and businessmen perform Chopda Pujan 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". The fourth day : New Year day or Bestavarsh The Fourth day is called Padwa or VarshaPratipada that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day. The day after the Lakshmi Puja, most families celebrate the new year by dressing in new clothes, wearing 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 honour 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 milkbath, dressed in shining attires with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones. The Fifth day of Diwali : Bhai DhoojThe second day of the bright forthnight (Shukla Paksh) of Kartik is called "Bhaiya-Duj".  It comes once a year - after Diwali. The name itself denotes the day of the festival i.e.Diwali falls on the absolutely dark night of Amdvasya (new moon), Dooj comes two days after Diwali. Many years  ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the 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. Since then it became imperative for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaiyaduj.On Bhai Dooj, the teeka is applied on the brother's forehead. It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha Bandhan (brothers day). Well this is sisters day. The sister usually goes in the morning and does the puja in the mother's house, before the brothers leave for  their places of study or work Riti Riwaz Of Diwali Festival Diwali is the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi visit everyone during Diwali and brings peace and prosperity to all. On the night of diwali "Lakshmi-Pujan" is performed in the evenings. A traditional Puja is performed after sunset in all the homes. Five pieces of ghee diyas (lamps) are lit in front of the deities, Naivedya of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess and devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung.   After the Puja people light diyas (lamps) in their homes to usher in light, and clear the darkness from the world. In villages cattle's are adorned and worshipped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshipped on this day . Step By Step Diwali Pujan: First clean the Puja room and then Bathe each Deity ( Lakshmi & Ganesh) first with water, then with panchamitra/or rose water, followed by water once more. Now put Deepak (Lamp)  in front of the Deities - As the  tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits Make  a Panchamitra   with 5 ingredients of milk, curd, ghee(clarified butter), sugar & Honey. Place Few mithais, snacks & fruits as a prashad. Make offerings of flowers, abir (red colour), sindoor (vermillion), haldi (turmeric). and Light the Agarbatti (incense sticks) and lamps filled with Ghee . Now make offerings of fruit, sweet meat ( mithai), Salty snacks ( Mathis, Ghathia, Namakpare) and offer dakshina (token money), which could be given to the poor . In the end offer paan (betel leaves), cloves. Now pray to the dieties to seek  their blessings. Ganesh Puja-Ganeshji are a must for Diwali pujan. (Ganeshji is to be worshipped in all pujas before any other god or goddess.) (Aarti) Laxmi Puja : Place Lotus and other flowers  at her feet  as an offering. A silver coin is placed in front of the Goddess during the puja. Now perform Arti with flowers in hand.(Aarti)  After the puja have the Prashad and go out to burst crackers. Aarti of "OM JAI JAGDISH HARE" Preparations for Diwali Festival Diwali is the time for everyone to rejoice looking forward to a bright future. Especially of the Businessmen, On this day they do puja of Account books and start writing their new accounts. This is called as "CHOPDA PUJAN" meaning puja of account books. Each house entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of "Rangoli" designs to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The Preparations of diwali begins well in advance. People start decorating their homes, preparing sweets, light up their homes with colorful lights , buy new clothes & Jewelry This new moon night or Amavasya is thus turned into a bright and colorful night.  The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valourand fame. Fireworks are broughtout and the children join in the fun and frolic with all the bang -bang. It is nice to distribute crackers so that there is universal enjoyment. Hundreds of fire crackers can be seen glowing and then bursting as though it was a battle of glows and sparks in the skies.    Markets are gaily decorated and lit up everybody adorned with new and bright clothes, especially ladies decorated with the best of ornaments, captures the social mood at its happiest. It is a very jolly time for visiting, exchanging gifts, decorating homes, feasting, and of course attiring in new clothes. On Diwali day, everywhere in India, at dusk when darkness unfolds itself, you can see a spectacular illumination of tiny flickering lamps adorning in rows - at homes, buildings and streets. And all this illumination and fireworks, joy and festivity, is to signify the victory of divine forces over those of wickedness.