Diwali or Deepawali, the biggest festival of Hindus is celebrated in whole India in the month of October- November. It is the festival of light and happiness celebrated with different reasons. People celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm and joy. It’s a four day festival having a great historical importance signifying the triumph of good over evil.
Not only Hindus but other religions also celebrate it with different reasons like Jains marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC. Sikhs celebrate it as Bandhi Chhor Diwas (The Celebration of Freedom) of Guru Hargobind. But mainly it is celebrated by Hindus which mark it as the festival of the year and remembers the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana.
Why We Celebrate Diwali?
We are celebrating Diwali from many years and the main reason behind the celebration is related to Hindu mythology when Lord Rama along with his brother Laxman and wife Sita returns Ayodhya after 14 years of exile life and after conquering Ravana. It’s been said that when Lord Rama returned to his home it was the most joyous moment for the whole family and courtiers and they celebrated it with immense happiness and lit diyas (ghee lamps) in rows of 20 and burned firecrackers.
How It is Celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated all over India in different ways. It’s a five day festival starting from Dhanteras to Bhaiduj. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends and worship Godess Laxmi and Ganesha. It is celebrated by farmers as a harvesting festival. In Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of strength. The whole country celebrates it one or the other way.
The Five Days Festival
Diwali is not the one day festival, it is celebrated over the span of five days. All days are celebrated with different reasons and in different ways. The first day is the Dhanteras and the last is the Bhaidhuj. These days are listed below:
1. Dhanteras: Thye first day is the Dhanteras which is considered as the auspicious occasion of wealth and prosperity. Dhana means wealth and Trayodashi means 13th day and falls on the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month. People buy utensils and gold which is considered auspicious on this day. 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.
2. NarakChaudas: This was the day on which the demon Narakasura was killed by Krishna and signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. People celebrate it lighting small lamps all around the house and drawing rangolis outside their homes. They also perform a special puja with offerings to Krishna or Vishnu and take a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still visible in the sky. Children burn crackers and celebrate it with joy.
3. Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya: The third day is the most important day of the Diwali celebration which includes the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings at their homes and work places. For the businessmen it is the most auspicious day of the year as it marks the incoming of Goddess Laxmi (as wealth) in their homes. Children and other members wear new clothes and light lamps in the homes to welcome prosperity and well-being. After the worship they burn crackers and enjoy the night. People also do gambling which is considered good for that day as it signifies the incoming of wealth and prosperity throughout the year.
4. Govardhan Puja: Also known as Annakoot Pooja the day is celebrated by remembering it as the day when Krishna, an incarnation of god Vishnu defeated Indra and by lifting Govardhana hill to save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods. On this day large quantities of food are prepared and worshiped.
5. BhaiDuj: On this day, brothers and sisters meet to express love and affection for each other. It is based on a story of brother Yama, lord of Death and his sister Yami (the river Yamuna). Usually brothers visit their sisters’ place and have a meal there and give gifts to their sisters.
Why We Worship Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha instead Lord Rama?
As we know that Diwali is celebrated due to the reason of return of Lord Ram and his wife Sita to Ayodhya after the 14 years of exile but we worship Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha instead Lord Rama
Have you ever noticed why it is so? The reason behind is that the after returning from banishment Lord Rama first of all worshipped Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha and since then the trend is being setup to worship both these Gods.
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