Diwali 2015

                                                               
       

Happy Diwali

                 Namashkar and welcome back to my blog. On the auspicious occasion of Diwali 2015, first and foremost I wish all my readers worldwide a safe, happy and joyful Diwali and a happy and prosperous New Year 2016.

                 In my homeland India, Diwali is one of the largest, brightest and most-vibrant festivals. Spiritually, the festival of Diwali commemorates the victory of good over evil. The main festival of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month, Karthika. As per the Gregorian Calendar, it falls between mid-October and mid-November.

               Before Diwali, people clean, renovate and decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, people dress in new clothes or in their best outfits, light up diyas (lamps) inside and outside their homes (hence the name 'Deepavali' or the 'Festival of Lights') and perform family puja (prayers) customarily to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. .

                       

Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are worshiped on Diwali

                                   

                    After puja, fireworks follow, then a family feast with mithai (sweets) and then there is an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends.

Fireworks in Diwali

                  Diwali is an important festival for Hindus. The names of the festive days and the rituals of Diwali differ significantly among Hindus, depending on the regions of India.

Important Dates  of Diwali 2015:

November 7,2015: Govatsa Dwadashi celebrated as Vasu Baras in Maharashtra/ Nandini Vrat in South India 

              Cows and calves are worshiped on this day. The worshiped cows and calves are fed wheat preparations.

Govatsa Dwadashi

November 9, 2015: Dhanteras, the first big day of the festival

                Freshly painted homes are ready to welcome the festive season. Rangolis are drawn,  oil lamps are lit, purchases are made and businessmen open up their new account books. Diwali celebrations are officially in progress.  

         

Dhanteras

November 10, 2015: Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi

                This day commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna against Narakasur. In his incarnation as Krishna, he attacks Narakasur while riding his mount Garuda with his wife Satyabhama and beheads him with the Sudarshan Chakra.  In another version, it is said that Narkasur is granted a boon by Lord Brahma that he will only die at the hands of a woman. So in the battle, it is Lord Krishna's wife Satyabhama who beheads him with Krishna as her saarthi.  It is celebrated as an important day in all Maharashtrian Families.In West Bengal, this day is known as Kali Chaudas. The day marks the defeat of Narakasur at the hands of Goddess Kali.

                               

Narak Chaturdashi

November 11,2015: Diwali / Lakshmi Puja

   

                Lakshmi Puja is performed at dusk when people open their houses and doors to invite Goddess Lakshmi , the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity into their homes.  Lakshmi Puja is carried out with prayers to Lord Ganesha, the Reliever from Obstacles, Goddess Saraswathi, the Goddess of Learning and  Lord Kubera, the Keeper of Wealth, This is the day of fireworks and delicious sweets and savory snacks are exchanged.

Diwali

                                 

November 12, 2015: Padva / Balipratipada

             Goddess Lakshmi is believed to have chosen Lord Vishnu as her partner on this day. Padva celebrates the sacred bond of Husband and Wife. Couples exchange gifts and families meet for elaborate meals on this day. In some faiths, it is considered as the First Day of the New Year.
           

            Balipratipada is the tale of Lord Vishnu's devotee, Bali. In the Vamana avatar, Lord Vishnu assumed his humongous form and covered the universe in the first step, the earth in the second step and in the third step, since there was nothing else available, Bali offered his head after he discovered that it was Lord Vishnu. Though Bali was sent to Patal-Lok, Lord Vishnu gave him the opportunity to visit his kingdom once a year when his people will receive him with utmost love.

  

Balipratipada

November 13, 2015: Bhaiduj

             The last day of Diwali is Bhaiduj when sisters invite their brother(s) for a lavishly prepared meal. Gifts are exchanged and the bond shared by siblings is blessed by adults in the family.

Bhai Dooj

Significance of Diwali in Hinduism:

              The festival of Diwali is largely celebrated to commemorate the return of Rama to Ayodhya with his wife, Sita after vanquishing Ravana. It is believed that every house in the city of Ayodhya lit up earthen lamps to welcome their beloved prince thus beginning the tradition during Diwali.

                                

Diwali Legend

              According to another legend, Pandavas in Mahabharata returned to their homeland after 13 years and the day is celebrated to commemorate their return.

Significance of Diwali in Sikhism:

          Diwali marks the time of the year, when Guru Hargobind escaped Mughal custody and reached Golden Temple in Amritsar. The day is known as Bandi Chor Divas.

Bandi Chor Divas

                                    

Significance of Diwali in Jainism:

                     Jains celebrate a festival of lights to mark the attainment of Moksha by Mahavira.

   

Jain Deepavali

Significance of Diwali in Buddhism:

                   Some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali remembering Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism.

Diwali in Buddhism

                         It is time now to conclude my blog post on Diwali. I once again wish my readers worldwide a happy, colorful, safe, yummy and vibrant Diwali and a Prosperous New Year ahead. Hope you enjoyed reading my post as much as I enjoyed preparing this post.

Leaving you with yet another delightful picture of Diwali,

Happy Diwali 2015

As always, thanks for reading!

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References:

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