~Defying Darkness : HAPPY DIWALI~

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Don't worry, be happy.

@Ranbirrocks

Stunner

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

Why is Diwali Celebrated?

Diwali is the biggest Hindu festival. It is celebrated to mark the day the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya post his victory over Ravana and completion of fourteen years of exile.

Since his return was on the new moon night - Amavasya, people in Ayodhya lit diyas to light the path of their favourite king. Symbolically, this also marks the victory of light over darkness.

But Diwali isn't just a one day festival, it is a five day long celebration, with many embedded traditions and customs for each day!

Day 1:

Diwali Begins - Dhanteras, the Biggest Shopping Day of India!

The first day of Diwali is called Dhan Teras (Dhanvantari Trayodas), and it marks the official beginning of the Diwali festivities. This is the biggest day for the Business community as it is considered a very auspicious day for business. In some parts of India like Gujarat, this day is held even more important than the actual Diwali day, and people hold Lakshmi, Kuber (the Hindu God of riches) and Ganesha Pooja on this day.

A lot of purchasing happens on this day. Women purchase gold and silver on Dhan Teras as buying on this day brings prosperity. A few new utensils are also bought, if you can't afford gold and silver.

This is the best day and excuse for shopping because anything you buy is auspicious!

Day 2:

Spa Day for Ladies, Destruction of Narakasur, Choti Diwali

On this day, officially all the cleaning and sweets making jobs take a backseat and the women of the house engage in some me time. They wake up early in morning, apply ubtans made of Besan and Malai mixed with beauty oils, to look their best for Diwali day. There is a belief that if you wake up at the crack of dawn and do your beauty routines, your beauty will be enhanced by divine forces. Try waking up at sunrise this year and let us know if it worked or not!

In some parts of India like Bengal and Gujarat, this day is celebrated as Kali Chaudas. It is believed that on this day Shri Krishna killed the asura (demon) Narakasura. Hence also referred to as Naraka-Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas is the day to abolish laziness and evil, which create hell in our life, and shine light on life.

This is 14^th day of Krishna paksh, hence named Chaudas.

In other parts of India, it is simply the Choti Diwali, the day before Diwali. People go to each other's houses and exchange gifts and begin fireworks.

Day 3:

Lakshmi and Kali Pooja - Let the fireworks begin!

The third day of these festivities is the actual Diwali, when Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped, along with Lord Ganesha.

In Bengal, this day is dedicated to the worship of Devi Kali, a form of the divine Shakti. This pooja was introduced in Bengal by Raja Krishnachandra of Navadwipa.

This is the biggest day, celebrated with firecrackers and lots of scrumptious sweets.

If you want to see markets in their full glory, this is the night to visit the Sarafa (Gold markets) and main markets of the city center. Diwali decorations tour at night is a must do for tourists.

Day 4:

Bestu Baras, Vishwakarma Day, Annakoot and Govardhan Pooja

The fourth day is celebrated in various forms all across India.

In the Western states of India like Gujarat this day is celebrated with great pomp and show as Bestu Baras, the New Year as per their Calendar. Kids visit their friends and families to wish 'Bestu Baras' and adults give them money as blessing. A great day to earn money for Gujarati kids!

In Northern states of India, this day is widely celebrated as Govardhan Pooja. It is the day when Lord Krishna lifted mountain Govardhan to protect his fellow villagers from the divine rains.

This day is also called as Annakut, when the 56 bhog is prepared to celebrate prosperity. Goverdhan Pooja is also a part of Annakut.

It is also Vishwakarma Day, when people worship their instruments, arms and machinery. Most or all business establishments, thus, remain closed on this day. This is our Engineers' day.

Day 5:

Bhai Dooj

The fifth day of Diwali festivities is celebrated as the Bhai Dooj or Bhai Beej or Bhai Teeka/ Tilak or Bhai Fota (In Bengal). Brothers visit their sisters on this day, who celebrate and prepare sweets specially in the honour of their brothers, wishing a long, happy, healthy life and great success for them. Lucky Indian sisters who get two opportunities in a year to get gifts from their brothers!

Edited by Ranbirrocks - 7 years ago

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aaditi

@Sonserina_Reina

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 7 years ago

It's not just about avoiding firecrackers and cutting down on sweets - here's how you can still have fun and make the most of the festive season without causing harm to the environment and the best part being, the saving of time!

This 21st century life is said to be the busiest one. Nowadays people don't have enough time to prepare sweets at home, decorate their houses with hand-made rangoli, light up hundreds of diyasand other things. That's why we have alternatives to the traditional Diwali ways, today. Here are some that we picked out:

1. Orange Peel Diya, Electric Diyas and Fairy Lights instead of traditional diyas(Earthen Lamps)

Diwali means row of lamps so it's understood why we light lamps/diyas. In the decorations of this festival, homes are lit up with earthen lamps, making the house glow. As Diwali is celebratedon a new moon day people light diyas to get rid of the darkness, symbolizing luck and unity.
Though traditional diyas aren't harmful for the environment but the fact that it needs to be filled with oil from time to time so that it will stay lightened makes it a time consuming task. That's whyelectric diyas and fairy lights were introduced as alternatives. But nowadays people have started using DIY diyas which are eco-friendly and save electricity as well, contributing in reducing the electricity consumption that reaches the sky level during Diwali week. Wheat dough, orange peels, coconut shells and seashells are some great options for DIY diyas.

2. Reduction in use of firecrackers and introduction of other fun activities

Originally, while this was not on the agenda, people have adopted this trend, so much so, that the festival has become synonymous with bursting crackers. One must exercise caution while doing that though, taking into account the impact they have on the environment and the ecosystem.
The pollutants associated with firecrackers make it difficult to breathe and are linked to many respiratory problems as well. The loud noises and blinding flashes also give severe anxiety attacks to animals and birds. Although there are a number of environment friendly crackers that have begun to flood the market but you can always do other fun filled things as well. People have started playing a number of games that not only are fun but also lets you spend some quality time with your family.

3. The availability of readymade decorations

It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth visits a clean and nicely decorated house. Also as it is one of the biggest festival celebrated in India relatives come to visit. To welcomethem everybody cleans their houses. Old and useless items are thrown away and replaced with new ones.
In early days people used to decorate their houses with diyas, hand-made decorations like flower strings, rangoli etc. But nowadays the market is flooded with fairy lights, paper streamers and rangoli stickers. People have also started to recycle different items to create decorative items which brighten up your home and good for the environment too. You can also buy Diwali decor from organizations that are working to light up the lives of the marginalized. For instance,Muskaan foundation, an NGO working with differently-abled kids, offers many products suitable for Diwali diyas, decorations, and more.

4. Greeting cards replaced hand written letters and they themselves were replaced by Cell-phone and Online greetings

Earlier people used to write letters to their loved ones whishing them a happy diwali but those letter were replaced by greeting cards of different style and design that already have some wonderfuldiwali wishes written inside. And later these cards were replaced by simple and short messages sent via phone and internet. Everyone is familiar with those cute messages that fill up yourwhatsapp.

5. The "Green Gifts

Sweets and dry fruits were the gifts that people used to exchange with each other but now those are replaced with numerous other things. Now there are packaged gifts available in the market like a box of cookies, chocolates, some eco-friendly items like jute bags, solar powered gadgets, kitchen herbs, feng shui plants and air purifying plants.

6. Healthy & Nutritious Snacks

Taking the place of those heavy sweets made of ghee, sugar and butter are the healthy and nutritious food items that are prepared with less ghee and oil and taste just as fantastic and are totally delicious. There are a number nutritious and healthy snack recipes like oats and carrot, corn kheer, rice pudding and almond barfi, baked apple crisps, brown rice cookies etc that have replaced the traditional snacks.

Edited by VK_Sibling_Love - 7 years ago

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@-RD-

Stunner

+ 9

Posted: 7 years ago

Special lights are brightening up the scene,

Jubliance is present in vivacious teens,

Crackers are sparkling up high,

Like a diamond in the sky...

Happy Diwali everyone, let's make this Diwali special...

Zara dharam karam ke sang sang

Ho jaaye kuch masti vasti

Jai bolo Ram lala ki

Le lo ji boring life se chutti

Zara sab saath mein aajaye

Haaji ha ha ha ha

Aur zara chota sa game hojaye

Haaji ha ha ha ha ha

Ramji ka naam lena hai 24*7

Ramji ki leela hai leela hai a one

The festival of Diwali is here today, so peeps let's do some fun-n-frolic game play...

This game is a plain-sailing one, as we know you all need time to burst crackers too. So, here all you have to do is race your body's CPU and decode the hints that we've dropped.

But, but, but, like our name connotes, there is a crazy catch here, the hints will be related to Diwali. It can be from anything be it mytho, rituals, traditions, crackers or foods.

This will be an individual game and you all will post your answers here on this thread.

So guys hone your weapons, truss your seat-belts and get ready for a crazy-fun ride!

The Clues
1. Romeo ate chicken cozying on a log ideally
2. Sweet is the answer
3. Any agile contender target invasion
4. Days in your arms
5. Rajasthan and Sikkim belong under legit legislative assembly
6. Cynic biker acts carelessly chuck due resilience
7. Good old lavish days
8. Rose is auric magnificence
9. Rise above misery
10. Audio in avail
11. Precious ornaments of jaanki priya
12. Diya waliya can do anything for stardom
13. Geeta and Ram both not again
14. Ayush yog don't hesitate okay and answer
15. My landlord is as bitter as karela