India is a land of Festivals with diverse culture, colors and creed. Diwali Festive week starts with Dhanteras and ends with Bhaidooj. Dhanteras, Choti Diwali or Narak Chaturdasi, Deepavali or Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj complete the five day celebration bonanza spread over the weekend. Diwali has originated from Sanskrit word Deepavali which means row of lights or lighted lamps. Diwali is the most major festival in India with a National Holiday.
Diwali signifies the festival of lights, sweets and celebrations on return of Lord Rama with Sita to Ayodhyaya after 14 years of forest banishment and defeating the evil King Ravana of Lanka. It depicts the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Diwali this year fell on 4th November and the enthusiasm after covid-19 pandemic was no less though it was curtailed to close family and friends this time. The festival soaks the entire India into joyous spirits with decorations of Rangolis, Candles, Lights, earthen Diya’s, and Lanterns. People meet and exchange gifts, sweets and there are fireworks to mark the occasion. Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati & Lord Ganesha and Kuber are worshipped for prosperity, wisdom and auspiciousness. As per Hindu mythology, Diwali falls in Kartik Month on Amavasya of Krishna Paksha and is calculated as per the Lunar Calender.
Dhanteras: People purchase steel utensils, gold & silver coins.
Naraka Chaturdasi: House is cleaned and decorated on Choti Diwali and people take bath in herbal & natural oils and wear traditional outfits.
Laxmi Puja: The main celebration of Diwali with lights and fireworks takes place with worshipping of Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati and Lord Ganesha and Kuber.
Govardhan Puja: Lord Krishna is worshipped for lifting Govardhan Mountain and saving his people from the wrath of nature.
Bhai Dooj: Brothers and Sisters show their love, respect and affection for one another with exchange of gifts and puja.
Facts and Figures
Diwali is celebrated enthusiastically in neighboring countries of Nepal, Srilanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore, Suriname and in Fiji, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago where there is a National Holiday.
The festivity has now spread to Indian community in Europe and holiday was declared this year in many cities of USA for Diwali celebrations.
Guru Hargobind Singh was released from Mughal Captivity and Golden Temple foundation was laid on Diwali Day.
More than 800 million people celebrate this festival.
It marks the starting of the New Year with new accounting books.
Jains celebrate it to mark the attainment of Moksha by Mahavira.
Lord Krishna killed demon Narakasura and in Bengal Goddess Kali is worshipped as Shakti.
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