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The Origin of Diwali
Historically, the origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important
harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali or 'Deepawali.' Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage
of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu.
harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali or 'Deepawali.' Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage
of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu.
Whereas in Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of strength.
Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day. In Jainism,
Deepawali has an added significance to the great event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss ofnirvana. Diwali also commemorates the return of
Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of
their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.
Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day. In Jainism,
Deepawali has an added significance to the great event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss ofnirvana. Diwali also commemorates the return of
Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of
their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.
Diwali These Four Days
Dhanteras
Dhanteras starts off the five day festival. Starting days before and through Dhanteras, houses and
business premises are cleaned, renovated and decorated. Women and children decorate entrances with Rangoli – creative colourful floor designs both
inside and in the walkways of their homes or offices. Boys and men get busy with external lighting arrangements and completing all renovation work in
progress. For some, the day celebrates the churning of cosmic ocean of milk between the forces of good and forces of evil; this day marks the birthday
of Lakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari – the God of Health and Healing. On the night of Dhanteras, diyas
(lamps) are ritually kept burning all through the nights in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.
business premises are cleaned, renovated and decorated. Women and children decorate entrances with Rangoli – creative colourful floor designs both
inside and in the walkways of their homes or offices. Boys and men get busy with external lighting arrangements and completing all renovation work in
progress. For some, the day celebrates the churning of cosmic ocean of milk between the forces of good and forces of evil; this day marks the birthday
of Lakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari – the God of Health and Healing. On the night of Dhanteras, diyas
(lamps) are ritually kept burning all through the nights in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.
Dhanteras is also a major shopping day, particularly for gold or silver articles. Merchants, traders and
retailers stock up, put articles on sale, and prepare for this day. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening. Some people decorate their shops, work place
or items symbolizing their source of sustenance and prosperity.
retailers stock up, put articles on sale, and prepare for this day. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening. Some people decorate their shops, work place
or items symbolizing their source of sustenance and prosperity.
Naraka Chaturdasi
Narak Chaturdasi is the second day of festivities, and is also called Choti Diwali. Typically, house
decoration and colourful floor patterns called rangoli are made on or before Narak Chaturdasi. Special bathing rituals such as a fragrant oil bath are
held in some regions, followed by minor pujas. Women decorate their hands with henna designs. Families are also busy preparing homemade sweets for
main Diwali.
decoration and colourful floor patterns called rangoli are made on or before Narak Chaturdasi. Special bathing rituals such as a fragrant oil bath are
held in some regions, followed by minor pujas. Women decorate their hands with henna designs. Families are also busy preparing homemade sweets for
main Diwali.
Lakshmi Puja
The third day is the main festive day. People wear new clothes or their best outfits as the evening
approaches. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more additional deities depending on the region of India; typically Ganesha,
Saraswati, and Kubera. Lakshmi symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.
approaches. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more additional deities depending on the region of India; typically Ganesha,
Saraswati, and Kubera. Lakshmi symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.
Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth on Diwali night. On the evening of Diwali, people open their doors
and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place diya lights on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her in. On this day, the mothers who work hard all
year, are recognized by the family and she is seen to embody a part of Lakshmi, the good fortune and prosperity of the household. Small earthenware
lamps filled with oil are lighted and placed in rows by some Hindus along the parapets of temples and houses. Some set diyas adrift on rivers and
streams. Important relationships and friendships are also recognized during the day, by visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts and
sweets.
and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place diya lights on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her in. On this day, the mothers who work hard all
year, are recognized by the family and she is seen to embody a part of Lakshmi, the good fortune and prosperity of the household. Small earthenware
lamps filled with oil are lighted and placed in rows by some Hindus along the parapets of temples and houses. Some set diyas adrift on rivers and
streams. Important relationships and friendships are also recognized during the day, by visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts and
sweets.
After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks). The children enjoy
sparklers and variety of small fireworks, while adults enjoy playing with ground chakra, Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar), sutli bomb, rockets and bigger
fireworks. The fireworks signify celebration of Diwali as well a way to chase away evil spirits. After fireworks, people head back to a family feast,
conversations and mithai (sweets, desserts).
sparklers and variety of small fireworks, while adults enjoy playing with ground chakra, Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar), sutli bomb, rockets and bigger
fireworks. The fireworks signify celebration of Diwali as well a way to chase away evil spirits. After fireworks, people head back to a family feast,
conversations and mithai (sweets, desserts).
Padwa, Balipratipada
The day after Diwali, is celebrated as Padwa. This day ritually celebrates the love and mutual devotion
between the wife and husband. The husbands give thoughtful gifts, or elaborate ones to respective spouses. In many regions, newly married
daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals. Sometimes brothers go and pick up their sisters from their in-laws home for this important
day. The day is also a special day for the married couple, in a manner similar to anniversaries elsewhere in the world. The day after Diwali devotees
perform Goverdhan puja in honor of Lord Krishna.
between the wife and husband. The husbands give thoughtful gifts, or elaborate ones to respective spouses. In many regions, newly married
daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals. Sometimes brothers go and pick up their sisters from their in-laws home for this important
day. The day is also a special day for the married couple, in a manner similar to anniversaries elsewhere in the world. The day after Diwali devotees
perform Goverdhan puja in honor of Lord Krishna.
Diwali also marks the beginning of new year, in some parts of India, where the Hindu Vikram Samvat
calendar is popular. Merchants and shopkeepers close out their old year, and start a new fiscal year with blessings from Lakshmi and other
deities.
calendar is popular. Merchants and shopkeepers close out their old year, and start a new fiscal year with blessings from Lakshmi and other
deities.
Bhai Duj, Bhaiya Dooji
The last day of festival is called Bhai dooj (Brother’s second) or Bhai tika in Nepal, where it is the major
day of the festival. It celebrates the sister-brother loving relationship, in a spirit similar to Raksha Bandhan but with different rituals. The day ritually
emphasizes the love and lifelong bond between siblings. It is a day when women and girls get together, perform a puja with prayers for the well being of
their brothers, then return to a ritual of food-sharing, gift-giving and conversations. In historic times, this was a day in autumn when brothers would
travel to meet their sisters, or bring over their sister’s family to their village homes to celebrate their sister-brother bond with the bounty of seasonal
harvests.
day of the festival. It celebrates the sister-brother loving relationship, in a spirit similar to Raksha Bandhan but with different rituals. The day ritually
emphasizes the love and lifelong bond between siblings. It is a day when women and girls get together, perform a puja with prayers for the well being of
their brothers, then return to a ritual of food-sharing, gift-giving and conversations. In historic times, this was a day in autumn when brothers would
travel to meet their sisters, or bring over their sister’s family to their village homes to celebrate their sister-brother bond with the bounty of seasonal
harvests.
The Significance of Lights & Firecrackers
All the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights
and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.
According to one belief, the sound of fire-crackers are an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful
state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty
after the rains.
and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.
According to one belief, the sound of fire-crackers are an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful
state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty
after the rains.
Festival of Peace
On this festive occasion, Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities also mark charitable causes, kindness, and for
peace. For example, at the international border, every year on Diwali, Indian forces approach Pakistani forces and offer traditional Indian sweets on the
occasion of Diwali. The Pakistani soldiers anticipating the gesture, return the goodwill with an assortment of Pakistani sweets
peace. For example, at the international border, every year on Diwali, Indian forces approach Pakistani forces and offer traditional Indian sweets on the
occasion of Diwali. The Pakistani soldiers anticipating the gesture, return the goodwill with an assortment of Pakistani sweets
DIWALI PHOTOS
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RANGOLI PHOTOS
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