MOST OF US DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY DIWALI IS CELEBRATED IN INDIAN...... SO MAY BE THIS POST WILL HELP YOU.
Diwali dates back to ancient times in India, as a festival after the summer harvest in the Hindu calendar month of Karthikai. The festival is mentioned in Padma Purana, the Skanda Purana, and other Sanskrit Hindu scriptures; the divas (lamps) are mentioned in Skanda Purana to symbolically represent parts of sun, the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life, who seasonally transitions in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik.
Diwali dates back to ancient times in India, as a festival after the summer harvest in the Hindu calendar month of Karthikai. The festival is mentioned in Padma Purana, the Skanda Purana, and other Sanskrit Hindu scriptures; the divas (lamps) are mentioned in Skanda Purana to symbolically represent parts of sun, the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life, who seasonally transitions in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik
Description and rituals
Diwali is a five day festival in many regions of India, with
Diwali night centering on the new moon – the darkest night – at the end of the
Hindu lunar month of Ashvin and the start of the month of Kartika. In the Common Era calendar, Diwali typically falls
towards the end of October, or first half of November each year. The darkest
night of autumn lit with diyas, candles and lanterns, makes the festival of lights
particularly memorable. Diwali is also a
festival of sounds and sights with fireworks and rangoli designs; the festival
is a major celebration of flavors with feasts and numerous mithai (sweets,
desserts), as well as a festival
of emotions where Diwali ritually brings family and friends together every
year.
Like major festivals of the world, rituals and preparations for
the Indian festival Diwali begin days or weeks in advance. The festival
formally begins two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days after.
Each day has the following rituals and significance:
On Dhanteras, diya lights are left
burning all night.
Dhanteras
Dhanteras starts off the five day festival. Starting days before
and through Dhanteras, houses and business premises are cleaned, renovated and
decorated. Women and children decorate entrances with Rangoli – creative
colourful floor designs both inside and in the walkways of their homes or
offices. Boys and men get busy with external lighting arrangements and
completing all renovation work in progress. For some, the day celebrates the
churning of cosmic ocean of milk between the forces of good and forces of evil;
this day marks the birthday of Lakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity,
and the birthday of Dhanvantari – the Goddess of Health and Healing. On the
night of Dhanteras, diyas (lamps) are ritually kept burning all through the
nights in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.
Dhanteras is also a major shopping day, particularly for gold or
silver articles. Merchants, traders and retailers stock up, put articles on
sale, and prepare for this day. Lakshmi Puja (sometimes spelled Laxmi puja) is
performed in the evening. Some people decorate their shops, work place or items
symbolizing their source of sustenance and prosperity.
Naraka Chaturdasi
Narak Chaturdasi is the second day of festivities, and is also called Choti Diwali. Typically, house decoration and colourful floor patterns
called rangoli are made on or before
Narak Chaturdasi. Special bathing rituals such a fragrant oil bath are held in
some regions, followed by minor pujas. Women decorate their hands with henna
designs. Families are also busy preparing homemade sweets for main Diwali.
Diwali
The third day is the main festive day. People wear new clothes
or their best outfits as the evening approaches. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more
additional deities depending on the region of India; typically Ganesha,
Saraswati, and Kubera. Lakshmi symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked
for a good year ahead.
Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth on Diwali night. On the
evening of Diwali, people open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and
place diya lights on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her in.
On this day, the mothers who work hard all year, are recognized by the family
and she is seen to embody a part of Lakshmi, the good fortune and prosperity of
the household. Small earthenware
lamps filled with oil are lighted and placed in rows by some Hindus along the
parapets of temples and houses. Some set diyas adrift on rivers and
streams. Important relationships and friendships are also recognized during the
day, by visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts and sweets.
After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting
up patakhe (fireworks). The children enjoy sparklers and variety of small fireworks, while adults
enjoy playing with ground chakra, Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar), sutli bomb, rockets and bigger fireworks. The fireworks signify celebration of Diwali as
well a way to chase away evil spirits. After fireworks, people head back to a family feast,
conversations and mithai (sweets, desserts).
Diwali also marks the beginning of new year, in some parts of
India, where the Hindu Vikrama calendar is popular.
Merchants and shopkeepers close out their old year, and start a new fiscal year
with blessings from Lakshmi and other deities.
Padwa, Balipratipada
The day after Diwali, is celebrated as Padwa. This day ritually
celebrates the love and mutual devotion between the wife and husband. The
husbands give thoughtful gifts, or elaborate ones to respective spouses. In
many regions, newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for
special meals. Sometimes brothers go and pick up their sisters from their
in-laws home for this important day. The day is also a special day for the
married couple, in a manner similar to anniversaries elsewhere in the world.
The day after Diwali devotees perform Goverdhan puja in honor of Lord Krishna.
Bhai Duj, Bhaiya Dooj
The last day of festival is called Bhai dooj (Brother’s second).
It celebrates the sister-brother loving relationship, in a spirit similar to Raksha Bandhan but with different
rituals. The day ritually emphasizes the love and lifelong bond between
siblings. It is a day when women and girls get together, perform a puja with
prayers for the well being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of
food-sharing, gift-giving and conversations. In historic times, this was a day
in autumn when brothers would travel to meet their sisters, or bring over their
sister’s family to their village homes to celebrate their sister-brother bond
with the bounty of seasonal harvests.
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