Diwali Festival

On the festive land of India, Diwali festival is the most significant, grand and auspicious occasion that is celebrated all over India and also in many countries of the world. Although Diwali festival is considered a very important and prosperous occasion for the Hindus but the magnificent glow of Diwali celebrations traverse the limits of race & religion and this festival is marked by all with great jubilation. Diwali is also called as Deepavali that means a line of lamps. The line of lamps on this day is associated with its significance of good over bad and light over darkness thus Diwali or Deepavali is also known as the festival of light.

How Diwali Festival is Celebrated
The magnificent five days long jubilation of Diwali celebrations is marked by multi-colored Rangoli designs, special pooja ceremonies, lines of lamps, floral decorations fireworks, exchange of sweets and gifts that lends grandeur to the occasion. Every home - lowly or mighty - the hut of the poor or the mansion of the rich - shines with the glow of twinkling diyas or candles to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Meaning of Diwali or Deepavali
'Diwali', also called Deepavali or festival of ligths, is the abstraction of the Sanskrit word Deepavali - 'Deep' means diya (small pots made from clay) or light and 'Avali', means a row - meaning a row of diyas or array of lamps. Thus placing small diyas, candles & lamps inside and around the home marks the festival of lights.

When is Diwali in 2008
Diwali festival is celebrated after 20 days of Dussehra. The five days long festivity of Deepavali begins on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin (October / November).

Diwali or the festival of lights falls on the Amavasya -the 15th day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin.

In year 2008 Diwali will be celebrated on 28th October.

Traditions & Celebrations of Diwali Festival

The First & Second Day
The First day is called 'Dhanteras' which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The word Dhan means wealth. Believing this day to be auspicious, women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. The Second day is called 'Narkachaturdashi' or 'Choti Diwali' which falls on the fourteenth day of the month of Ashwin. This day therefore is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter.

The Third Day
The Third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day which sees colors of firecrackers, lighting of lamps, delicious sweets, new clothes and family get together exchanging gifts. On this day special pooja ceremony is observed to worship Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi. This is the day when the Sun enters his second course and passes Libra constellation (Nakshtra) which is represented by the balance or scale. Hence, this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. Despite the fact that this day falls on an Amavasya (dark night) it is regarded as the most auspicious.

The Fourth & Fifth Day
The grand celebrations of Diwali spread through five days and the fourth day of Diwali festivities is marked with different ways in the various parts of India. In northern part of India this day is celebrated two days after Diwali as Govardhan Puja while in the western parts of India like Maharashtra state the same festival is celebrated as Padva or Bali Prativpada. Govardhan Puja is also known and celebrated as Annakoot that means the mountain of food. On these particular festive days religious pooja ceremonies to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna are observed and special dishes with distribution of sweets are also an integral part of the celebrations.

Legends of Deepavali Festival
On the auspicious occasion of Diwali the lines of lamps are lit, gifts are exchanged, jewellery is purchased, firecrackers are burst, all these facets of Diwali festival are associated with mythological and historical legends. Read on to know more.

Legend of Lord Krishna & Demon Narakasura
Bursting crackers for Deepavali is connected with the killing of the demon Narakasura, the evil king of Pragjyotishpur, near Nepal, by Lord Krishna. After the killing, Krishna freed all the women who had been abducted by Narakasura. After his victory Krishna returned very early in the morning and was bathed with scented oils. Hence there is the custom of waking up early in the morning, bursting at least one symbolic cracker and having oil bath of purification.

Legend of Lord Rama, Laxman & Sita
The most popular legend of Diwali is associated with the Ramayana. After a fierce battle Ram killed the demon Kind Ravana and recovered his wife. Ram's return with his wife Sita to Ayodhya and his subsequent coronation as king is celebrated at Diwali. On this dark Amavasya night, the people of Ayodhya light up the route with rows of oil lamps to welcome their Prince. Therefore on this glorious event lamps are lit and the festival bears the name of Deepavali or "line of lamps".