Diwali(Englishpronunciation: / d ɪ w ɑː l i /) [ 3 ]also calledDivali, [ 3 ]Deepavalior the festival of lights, is a five-day Hindu festival [ 4 ]which starts on Dhanteras, celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu calendarmonth Ashwinand ends on Bhaubeej, celebrated on the second lunar day of Shukla paksha of the Hindu calendar month Kartik. Dhanterasusually falls eighteen days after Dussehra. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali is an official holiday in India, [ 5 ]Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of mokshaor nirvanaby Mahavirain 527 BC. [ 6 ] [ 7 ] Arya Samajists, celebrate this day as Death Anniversary of Swami DayanandSaraswati. They also celebrate this day asShardiya Nav-Shasyeshti. The name Diwali or Divali is a contraction of deepavali which translates into row of lamps. [ 8 ]Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. [ 9 ]These lamps are kept on during the night and ones house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmifeel welcome. [ 10 ] Firecrackersare burst because it is believed that it drives away evil spirits. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ]During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweetsand snacks with family members and friends. The festival starts with Dhanterason which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival is called the Naraka Chaturdasi.Amavasya, the third day of Diwali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The fourth day of Diwali is known asKartika Shudda Padyami. The fifth day is referred to asYama Dvitiya, and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes. Dates Krishna and Satyabhama fighting Narakasuras armies -Painting from the Metropolitan Museum It begins in late Ashvin(between September and October) and ends in early Kartika(between October and November). The days in Ashvin are in the Krishna Paksha(dark fortnight) of that month, while the days in Kartik are in its Shukla Paksha(bright fortnight). The first day isDhan Teras. The last day isYama Dvitiya, which signifies the second day of the light half of Kartika. Each day of Diwali marks one celebration of the six principal stories associated with the festival. Hindushave several significant events associated with Diwali: *.The return of Ramaafter 14 years of Vanvas(exile). To welcome his return,diyas(ghee lamps) are lit in total of 14. *.The killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, one day before Diwali, it commemorates the killing of the evil demon Narakasura, who wreaked havoc. In different versions, either Krishnaor Krishnas wife Satyabhamakilled Narakasura during the Dwapara yuga. Other events associated with Diwali include: *.Return of Pandavasafter 12 years of Vanvasand one year of agyatavas (living incognito). Diwali being the festival of lights, across India people celebrate it via symbolic diyas or kandils(colourful paper lanterns) as an integral part of Diwali decorations. Diwali celebrations are spread over five days, from Dhanteras to Bhaiduj. In some places like Maharashtra it starts with Vasu Baras. All the days except Diwali are named according to their designation in the Hinducalendar. The days are: 1.Govatsa DwadashiorVasu Baras(27 Ashvinor 12 Krishna Paksha Ashvin):Gomeans cow andvatsameans calf.DwadashiorBarasmeans the 12th day. On this day the cow and calf are worshiped. The story associated with this day is that of King Prithu, son of the tyrant King Vena. Due to the ill rule of Vena, there was a terrible famine and earth stopped being fruitful. Prithu chased the earth, who is usually represented as cow, and ‘milked’ her, meaning that he brought prosperity to the land. 2. Dhanatrayodashi or Dhan teras or Dhanwantari Triodasi(28 Ashvinor 13 Krishna Paksha Ashvin):Dhanameans wealth andTrayodashimeans 13th day. This day falls on the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month. It is considered an auspicious day for buying utensils and gold, hence the name ‘Dhana’. This day is regarded as the Jayanti (Birth Anniversary) of God Dhanvantari, the Physician of Gods, who came out during Samudra manthan, the churning of the great ocean by the gods and the demons. 3. Naraka Chaturdashi(29 Ashvinor 14 Krishna Paksha Ashvin):Chaturdashiis the 14th day This was the day on which the demon Narakasura was killed by Krishna – an incarnation of Vishnu. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness (Gujarati: Kali Chaudas, Rajasthan : Roop Chaudas). In southern India, this is the actual day of festivities. Hindus wake up before dawn, have a fragrant oil bath and dress in new clothes. They light small lamps all around the house and draw elaborate kolams/ rangolisoutside their homes. They perform a special pujawith offerings to Krishna or Vishnu, as he liberated the world from the demon Narakasura on this day. It is believed that taking a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still visible in the sky is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy Ganges. After the puja, children burst firecrackers heralding the defeat of the demon. As this is a day of rejoicing, many will have very elaborate breakfasts and lunches and meet family and friends. 4. Lakshmi Puja(30 Ashvinor 15 Krishna Paksha Ashvin):Lakshmi Pujamarks the most important day of Diwali celebrations in North India. Hindu homes worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings also known as the remover of obastacles, and then light deeyas (little clay pots) in the streets and homes to welcome prosperity and well-being. 5. Bali Pratipadaand Govardhan Puja(1 Kartikaor 1 Shukla Paksha Kartika) : In North India, this day is celebrated asGovardhan Puja, also calledAnnakoot, and is celebrated as the day Krishna– an incarnation of god Vishnu– defeated Indraand by the lifting of Govardhana hillto save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods. ForAnnakoot, large quantities of food are decorated symbolising the Govardhan hill lifted by Krishna. In Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it is celebrated as Bali-Pratipada or Bali Padyami. The day commemorates the victory of Vishnu in his dwarf form Vamanaover the demon-king Bali, who was pushed into the patala. In Maharashtra, it is calledPadavaorNava Diwas(new day). Men present gifts to their wives on this day. It is celebrated as the first day of the Vikram Samvatcalendar, in Gujarat. 6.Yama Dwitiyaor Bhaiduj(also Bhayyaduj, Bhaubeej or Bhayitika) (2 Kartikaor 2 Shukla Paksha Kartika): on this day, brothers and sisters meet to express love and affection for each other (Gujarati: Bhai Bij, Bengali: Bhai Phota). It is based on a story when Yama, lord of Death, visited his sister Yami(the river Yamuna). Yamiwelcomed Yamawith an Aarti and they had a feast together. Yamagave a gift to Yami while leaving as a token of his appreciation. So, the day is also called YAMA DWITIYA. Brothers visit their sisters’ place on this day and usually have a meal there, and also give gifts to their sisters Goddess Lakshmi Puja Main article: Lakshmi Puja Diwali marks the end of the harvestseason in most of India. Farmers give thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come. Traditionally this marked the closing of accounts for businesses dependent on the agrarian cycle, and is the last major celebration before winter. Lakshmisymbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead. There are two legends that associate the worship of Lakshmi on this day. According to the first legend, on this day, Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, during the great churning of the oceans, Samudra manthan. The second legend (more popular in western India) relates to the Vamanaavatar of the big three Vishnu, the incarnation he assumed to kill the king Bali. On this day, Vishnu came back to his abode the Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi receive the benefit of her benevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being. [ 14 ] As per spiritual references, on this day Lakshmi-panchayatan enters the Universe. Vishnu, Indra, Kubera, Gajendra and Lakshmi are elements of this panchayatan (a group of five). The tasks of these elements are: *.Lakshmi: Divine Energy ( Shakti) which provides energy to all the above activities. *.Vishnu: Happiness (happiness and satisfaction) *. Kubera: Wealth (generosity; one who shares wealth) *. Indra: Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth) *.Gajendra: Carries the wealth *.Saraswati: Knowledge Diwali is not only celebrated by Hindus; it is somewhat also a Sikh festival as it marks the Bandi Chhor Divasfestival. Diwali greetings in some languages This is how people wish each other Happy Diwali in different Indian Languages. [ 15 ] *.Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein(दिवाली की शुभकामनाएं): Greeting in Hindi *.Diwali Mubarak (દીવાળી મુબારક): Greeting in Gujarati *.Shubh Diwali / Diwalichya hardik Shubhechha (शुभ दिवाली / दिवाळीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा ): Greeting in Marathi *.Deepavali Nalvazhthukal(தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துகள்) :Greeting in Tamil *.Deepavali Shubhakankshalu(దీపావళి శుభాకా౦క్షలు) :Greeting in Telugu *.Deepavali Aashamsagal( ദീപാവലി ആശംസകള് ): Greeting in Malayalam. *.Deepavali Habbada Shubhashayagalu(ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು): Greeting in Kannada *.Tuhanu diwali diyan boht boht vadhaiyan(ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਦਿਵਾਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਹੋਣ ): Greeting in Punjabi *.Subho Deepabalir Preeti O Subechsha(শুভ দীপাবলীর প্রীতি ও শুভেচ্ছা) :Greeting in Bengali *.Deepavalira Anek Shubhechha(ଦୀପାବଳିର ଅନେକ ଶୁଭେଛା) :Greeting in Oriya *.Happy Diwali! :Greeting in English
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 07:00:18 +0000
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