Deepawali : A Festival of Lights

Deepavali  is the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It is also called the Festival of Lights as the name itself reflects for deep means  light and vali means  a row which together form Deepavali i.e., a row of lights.  The  five day celebration literally illumines the entire country with its brilliance and dazzles all with its joy. Each day of Deepavali also called Diwali is differentiated by a various special traditions having a deep meaning and significance. There is no doubt that all the festivals are celebrated in India, but Diwali is  the most glamorous and important which is enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion. All the days are full of life busy in its celebration, its enjoyment and goodness for it is believed that  this day is a victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. The homes are decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of oil lamps are lit to create a world of fantasy. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity as people of every state celebrates it in its own special way.

Five Days Celebration Of Diwali

Diwali is very enthusiastically celebrated for five continuous days and each day has its significance with a number of myths, legends and beliefs.

The First Day : Dhanteras

The first day Known as Dhan Theras marks the beginning of the diwali and it is celebrated to seek blessings of Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. In the amalgamation of Dhan teras 'Dhan' means wealth. She is also worshiped on this day to provide prosperity and well being. The festival of Dhanteras is also known by the names of Dhantrayodashi and Dhanvantari Trayodashi. As this day is dedicated to the festival of wealth, people purchase any new utensil, silver or gold coin or some other precious metal as a sign of good luck on the day of dhanteras. This is also a tradition related with celebrations of the festival of Dhanvantari Trayodashi. Dhanteras festival is ideal time for setting up businesses, commencing new projects, housewarming, deciding wedding dates, buying cars and jewellery. "Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.

The Second Day : Chotti Diwali

The Second Day is called Chotti Diwali also kown as Narak-Chaturdashi. This day is is observed to commemorate the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king, Narkasur. This day is also celebrated as the birthday of  Hanumanji or Hanuman jayanti. Also, on this day  Hanumanji reached Ayodhya to deliver the long-awaited message of Lord Rama’s return.  The people light diyas on chhoti diwali too to fill their homes with light, worship Goddess Laxmi and offer prayers to Her and they also burst firecrackers. 

The Third Day : Diwali or Deepavali

The Third Day of this festival of Diwali is the most important day of Lakshmi Puja which is entirely devoted to Goddess Lakshmi. On this day, houses and business centers are renovated and rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. On this 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. Diwali is considered as the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business for it is considered as a time to shop or start new ventures.

The Fourth Day : Padwa or Varshapratipada

The fourth day of diwali celebrations is 'Padwa' or 'Varshapratipada'. In the North India Govardhan Puja is performed with great zeal and enthusiasm. On this day, Goverdhan Pooja is performed. This day is also observed as Annakoot and prayers are offered in the temples. 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.The day after Diwali is celebrated as Goverdhan Puja when Goverdhan Parbat or Mount Goverdhan, near Mathura, is worshipped as Lord Krishna he lifted mount Goverdhan on his little finger, hence this day is dedicated to the worshiping the mountain. 

The Fifth Day : Bhai Dooj

Bhaiya Duj or Bhai Dooj is the festival that is celebrated on the fifth day of diwali and it falls on second day after the main diwali. It is observed as a symbol of love and affection between brothers and sisters and is celebrated in India with great enthusiasm. The sisters put the teeka on the forehead of their brothers with vermilion, sandal paste, roli or kumkum (red turmeric) and pray for them and dear brothers give gifts to their sisters. Bhai Dooj Gifts emotes the feelings of a brother, expresses the gratitude for sharing such a wonderful relationship, reflects all the love shared and fills the heart of a sister with unmatched happiness.  This day also depicts the end of the festival. 

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