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Diwali:Meaning & Significance

Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression
to their happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses,
bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for
partaking in a sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying
obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and
fame.



It is one time in the whole year that children volunteer to leave their beds
long before the day begins. In fact, the traditional oil bath at 3 a.m, is the
only chore that stands between them and the pre-dawn adventures. They emerge,
scrubbed clean to get into their festive attire, and light up little oil lamps,
candles and scented sticks(agarbathis), the wherewithal for setting alight
crackers and sparklers.



On Diwali night, little clay lamps are lit in Hindus homes, but now a days
colored electric lamps are also used. What is the significance of lighting a
lamp? There is a logical answer to this question. It is through the light that
the beauty of this world is revealed or experienced. Most civilizations of the
world recognize the importance of light as a gift of God. It has always been a
symbol of whatever is positive in our world of experience.



To Hindus, darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for
knowledge. Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through
knowledge, of all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy,
greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering, etc. Competition is
stiff, and even the little girl in silk frocks and their finery are watching
out for the best sparklers and flowerpots, the rockets and Vishnuchakras, which
light-up the night sky like a thousand stars. Grown-ups are the soul of
generosity. Festive bonhomie abounds.

Five Days Of Diwali

Deewali is a festival of joy, splendor, brightness and happiness. It is the festival of
lights and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by all Indians all over the
world. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied
philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal. People celebrate
each of its five days of festivities with true understanding, it will uplift
and enrich the lives.



The first day of Diwali: Dhanteras

The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi
also called Dhan Theras. It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna
Paksh, the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. On this day, Lord
Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic for mankind. This day marks
the beginning of deepawali celebrations.



On this day at sunset, Hindus should bathe and offer a lighted deeya with
Prasad (sweets offered at worship time) to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death and pray
for protection from untimely death. This offering should be made near a Tulsi
tree, the Holy Basil or any other sacred tree that one might have in their
yard.



The second day of Diwali: Choti Diwali

The second day of dipawali is called Narak Chaturdasi. On this day Lord Krishna
destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. On this day,
one should massage the body with oil to relieve it of tiredness, bathe and rest
so that Diwali can be celebarated with vigour and devotion.



On this night, Yama Deeya should not be lit. The Shastras (Laws of Dharma)
declares that Yama Deeya should be offered on Triodasi night with Prasad. Some
people mistook it to mean that because Yama Deeya was lit on that night, that
it should always be lit on the night before deepavali. This is absolutely not
true. It is advisable that one consults with a learned Pandit or Hindu
Astrologer for proper guidance on this matter.

This is the day when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse
themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and they
worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi to achieve the blessings of wealth and
prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
[IMG]https://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/jiya22/animatedDiya1.gif" />


The fourth day of Diwali: Padwa & Govardhan Puja

The fifth day of Diwali: Bhai Duj

The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhai teeka. This is the day after Goverdhan
Pooja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day. It is a day
dedicated to sisters. Many moons ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord
of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan
(a boon) that whosoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all
sins. They will achieve Moksha or final emancipation. From then on, brothers
visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their welfare.



This day marks the end of the five days of deepavali celebrations. This is also
known as Bhai fota among Bengalis. Bhai fota is an event especially among
Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother's safety, success and well being.