 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
According to Ramayana, Diwali commemorates the return of Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu
and the eldest son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya, from his 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman after
killing the Ravan, a demon king. The people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas
(oil lamps) and fireworks to celebration of the return of their king. Continuing the story of Rama, this
festival commemorates Lord Ram's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile.
Twinkling oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across the
country. This celebration took place on the night of the new moon of Ashwin (October-November).
The tradition and the timing continued to be followed even these days.
But it is just one aspect of this legendary festival. Though the four-day long festival centers round the
new moon night, the night of lamps, each of the four days has an interesting story to tell of its own.
The Day of Narakchaturdashi.
This is actually the pre-Diwali day and the beginning of the four day long festival. The day is
associated with the legend of the demon Naraka. This holy day marks the vanquishing of the demon
Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. According to Puranas Naraka, the son of Bhudevi,
acquired immense power as a blessing from Lord Brahma after a severe penance. He soon
unleashed a reign of terror in the kingdom of Kamarupa, harassing the celestial beings with his
invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord
Krishna to save them from his torture. But Naraka could not be easily killed as he had a boon that he
could face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Satyabhama, the
reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka. When Krishna feigns
unconsciousness after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Satyabhama takes the bow and aims the
arrow at Naraka and kills him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as
Bhudevi. The slaying of the Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents
should not hesitate to punish their children when they stray on to the wrong path. The message of
Naraka Chaturdasi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal
bonds. This Narakachaturdashi day is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and
laughter.
Day of Amavashya.
Bali was the king of the nether world and his mighty power had become a threat to the gods. In
order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a dwarf - a vaman - visited him and begged him
to give him only that much land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for his
philanthropy King Bali proudly granted him his wish. That very moment that dwarf transformed himself
into the all-powerful Lord Vishnu. With his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with
the second step the earth and asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head. Putting
his foot on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. At the same time for his generosity
Lord Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light
millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.
Another version is that when Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vaman, sought three feet of land from the
very generous king Bali Chakravarthy, Bali had to surrender his head as Vamana had conquered the
earth and the sky in His two strides. Lord Vishnu banishes Bali into the nether world of Pathal by
keeping his third stride on Bali's head. Later, pleased by his generosity, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon
and he in turn requests the Lord to guard his palace at Patal Loka. Meanwhile, the Goddess Lakshmi,
the consort of Lord Vishnu, is unable to bear the separation and her grief affects the functioning of
the entire universe. Brahma and Lord Shiva offer themselves as guards and plead with Bali to relieve
Vishnu. It is on this day of Amavasya Lord Vishnu returns to his abode and Goddess Lakshmi is
delighted. That is the reason it is believed that those who worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day
would be bestowed with all the riches.
According to another version it was on this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar when
the Gods and demons were churning the sagara for Amrutha Bhandam.
and the eldest son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya, from his 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman after
killing the Ravan, a demon king. The people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas
(oil lamps) and fireworks to celebration of the return of their king. Continuing the story of Rama, this
festival commemorates Lord Ram's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile.
Twinkling oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across the
country. This celebration took place on the night of the new moon of Ashwin (October-November).
The tradition and the timing continued to be followed even these days.
But it is just one aspect of this legendary festival. Though the four-day long festival centers round the
new moon night, the night of lamps, each of the four days has an interesting story to tell of its own.
The Day of Narakchaturdashi.
This is actually the pre-Diwali day and the beginning of the four day long festival. The day is
associated with the legend of the demon Naraka. This holy day marks the vanquishing of the demon
Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. According to Puranas Naraka, the son of Bhudevi,
acquired immense power as a blessing from Lord Brahma after a severe penance. He soon
unleashed a reign of terror in the kingdom of Kamarupa, harassing the celestial beings with his
invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord
Krishna to save them from his torture. But Naraka could not be easily killed as he had a boon that he
could face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Satyabhama, the
reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka. When Krishna feigns
unconsciousness after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Satyabhama takes the bow and aims the
arrow at Naraka and kills him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as
Bhudevi. The slaying of the Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents
should not hesitate to punish their children when they stray on to the wrong path. The message of
Naraka Chaturdasi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal
bonds. This Narakachaturdashi day is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and
laughter.
Day of Amavashya.
Bali was the king of the nether world and his mighty power had become a threat to the gods. In
order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a dwarf - a vaman - visited him and begged him
to give him only that much land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for his
philanthropy King Bali proudly granted him his wish. That very moment that dwarf transformed himself
into the all-powerful Lord Vishnu. With his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with
the second step the earth and asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head. Putting
his foot on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. At the same time for his generosity
Lord Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light
millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.
Another version is that when Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vaman, sought three feet of land from the
very generous king Bali Chakravarthy, Bali had to surrender his head as Vamana had conquered the
earth and the sky in His two strides. Lord Vishnu banishes Bali into the nether world of Pathal by
keeping his third stride on Bali's head. Later, pleased by his generosity, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon
and he in turn requests the Lord to guard his palace at Patal Loka. Meanwhile, the Goddess Lakshmi,
the consort of Lord Vishnu, is unable to bear the separation and her grief affects the functioning of
the entire universe. Brahma and Lord Shiva offer themselves as guards and plead with Bali to relieve
Vishnu. It is on this day of Amavasya Lord Vishnu returns to his abode and Goddess Lakshmi is
delighted. That is the reason it is believed that those who worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day
would be bestowed with all the riches.
According to another version it was on this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar when
the Gods and demons were churning the sagara for Amrutha Bhandam.
Diwali or more aptly Deepavali is very enthusiastically celebrated for five continuous days and
each day has its significance with a number of myths, legends and beliefs
The First day is called DHANTERAS or DHANTRAYODASHI which falls on the thirteenth day of the
month of Ashwin. The word "Dhan" means wealth. As such this day of the five-day Diwali festival has
a great importance for the rich mercantile community of Western India. Houses and Business
premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colourful with lovely traditional
motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her
long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the
houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. Believing this day to be auspicious women
purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. "Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the
evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.
"Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional
sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry
coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.
In villages cattles are adorned and worshipped by farmers as they form the main source of their
income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation
of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshipped on this day.
A very interesting story about this day is of the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his
horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that
particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the
ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir
and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing
songs. When Yam, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by
that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on
top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious
songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the
clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of
"YAMADEEPDAAN" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to
Yam, the god of Death.
The SECOND day is called NARKA-CHATURDASHI
The THIRD day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of LAKSHMI-PUJA
which is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi.
The FOURTH day is PADWA or VARSHAPRATIPADA which marks the coronation of
King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day.
Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. As per Vishnu-Puran the people of Gokul
used to celebrate a festival in honour of Lord Indira and worshipped him after the end of every
monsoon season but one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to
Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. But Krishna saved his Gokul by
lifting up the Govardhan mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella.
This day is also observed as Annakoot meaning mountain of food. In temples specially in Mathura
and Nathadwara, the deities are given milkbath, dressed in shining attires with ornaments of
dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones. After the prayers and traditional
worship innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are ceremoniously raised in the form of a
mountain before the deities as "Bhog" and then the devotees approach the Mountain of Food and
take Prasad from it.
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in every Hindu household and her blessings sought for success and
happiness. This day is looked upon as the most auspicious day to start any new venture. In many
Hindu homes it is a custom for the wife to put the red tilak on the forehead of her husband, garland
him and do his "Aarathi" with a prayer for his long life. In appreciation of all the tender care that
the wife showers on him, the husband gives her a costly gift. This Gudi Padwa is symbolic of love
and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly-married daughters with their
husbands are invited for special meals and given presents. In olden days brothers went to fetch
their sisters from their in-laws home for this important day.
The FIFTH and final day of Diwali Festival is known by the name of "BHAYYA-DUJ" in the
Hindi-speaking belt "BHAV-BIJ" in the Marathi-speaking communities and in Nepal by the name of
"BHAI-TIKA". As the legend goes Yamraj, the God of Death visited his sister Yami on this particular
day. She put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, garlanded him and led him with special dishes
and both of them together ate the sweets, talked and enjoyed themselves to their heart's
content, while parting Yamraj gave her a special gift as a token of his love and in return Yami also
gave him a lovely gift which she had made with her own hands. That day Yamraj announced that
anyone who receives tilak from his sister will never be thrown. That is why this day of Bhayyaduj is
also known by the name of "YAMA-DWITIYA" Since then this day is being observed as a symbol of
love between sisters and brothers. It became also imperative for the brother to go to his sister's
house to celebrate Bhayyaduj.
each day has its significance with a number of myths, legends and beliefs
The First day is called DHANTERAS or DHANTRAYODASHI which falls on the thirteenth day of the
month of Ashwin. The word "Dhan" means wealth. As such this day of the five-day Diwali festival has
a great importance for the rich mercantile community of Western India. Houses and Business
premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colourful with lovely traditional
motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her
long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the
houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. Believing this day to be auspicious women
purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. "Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the
evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.
"Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional
sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry
coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.
In villages cattles are adorned and worshipped by farmers as they form the main source of their
income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation
of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshipped on this day.
A very interesting story about this day is of the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his
horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that
particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the
ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir
and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing
songs. When Yam, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by
that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on
top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious
songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the
clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of
"YAMADEEPDAAN" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to
Yam, the god of Death.
The SECOND day is called NARKA-CHATURDASHI
The THIRD day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of LAKSHMI-PUJA
which is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi.
The FOURTH day is PADWA or VARSHAPRATIPADA which marks the coronation of
King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day.
Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. As per Vishnu-Puran the people of Gokul
used to celebrate a festival in honour of Lord Indira and worshipped him after the end of every
monsoon season but one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to
Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. But Krishna saved his Gokul by
lifting up the Govardhan mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella.
This day is also observed as Annakoot meaning mountain of food. In temples specially in Mathura
and Nathadwara, the deities are given milkbath, dressed in shining attires with ornaments of
dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones. After the prayers and traditional
worship innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are ceremoniously raised in the form of a
mountain before the deities as "Bhog" and then the devotees approach the Mountain of Food and
take Prasad from it.
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in every Hindu household and her blessings sought for success and
happiness. This day is looked upon as the most auspicious day to start any new venture. In many
Hindu homes it is a custom for the wife to put the red tilak on the forehead of her husband, garland
him and do his "Aarathi" with a prayer for his long life. In appreciation of all the tender care that
the wife showers on him, the husband gives her a costly gift. This Gudi Padwa is symbolic of love
and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly-married daughters with their
husbands are invited for special meals and given presents. In olden days brothers went to fetch
their sisters from their in-laws home for this important day.
The FIFTH and final day of Diwali Festival is known by the name of "BHAYYA-DUJ" in the
Hindi-speaking belt "BHAV-BIJ" in the Marathi-speaking communities and in Nepal by the name of
"BHAI-TIKA". As the legend goes Yamraj, the God of Death visited his sister Yami on this particular
day. She put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, garlanded him and led him with special dishes
and both of them together ate the sweets, talked and enjoyed themselves to their heart's
content, while parting Yamraj gave her a special gift as a token of his love and in return Yami also
gave him a lovely gift which she had made with her own hands. That day Yamraj announced that
anyone who receives tilak from his sister will never be thrown. That is why this day of Bhayyaduj is
also known by the name of "YAMA-DWITIYA" Since then this day is being observed as a symbol of
love between sisters and brothers. It became also imperative for the brother to go to his sister's
house to celebrate Bhayyaduj.
Send us your comments, articles and pictures to admin@sandadesandadi.com
 | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  |
| Copyright © sandadesandadi.com All rights Reserved |
SandadeSanda
di
di
