Diwali Festivals

Diwali is also known as ‘Deepavali’. ‘Diwali’ is festival of lights and colours. ‘Deepavali’ is made up to words ‘Deep’ and ‘avali’ which means ‘Row of Lights’. Diwali is a festival celebrated by Hindus in India and other neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, etc. Not only Hindus, but Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs also celebrate this festival with great joy and enthusiasm. Diwali is a festival that dazzles all the people with feeling of joy, love, peace and brotherhood. Diwali is the most famous festival for the Hindus in the world. It is the biggest and brightest festival amongst all the festivals of Hindus.  Diwali 2014 will appear on 23^rd October, Thursday. 

  

Significance of Diwali festival:

Diwali is a five-six days festival with different myths and is celebrated with different customs and rituals. Each day has a unique myth and different Gods & Goddesses are worshipped on each day.

Dates and Days of Diwali Festival:

20^th October, 2014: Dwadashi, Govatsa Dwadashi, Vasu Baras

21^th October, 2014: Trayodashi, Dhantrayodashi, Dhanteras, Dhanvantari Trayodashi, Yama Deepam

22^nd October, 2014: Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas, Hanuman Puja, Narak Chaturdashi

23^rd October, 2014: Amavasya, Lakshmi Puja, Diwali Puja, Bengal Kali Puja, Diwali Snan, Diwali Devpuja

24^th October, 2014: Pratipada, Govardhan Puja, Annakut Bali Pratipada, Gujarati New Year

25^th October, 2014: Dwitiya, Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej, Yama Dwitiya

Diwali festival starts on Dhanteras and ends on Bhaiya Dooj. Goddess Laxmi, Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesha are worshipped during this festival. When Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and younger brother Laxman, after defeating Demon Ravana, the villagers lighted up the town with earthen lamps fuelled with oil to mark their king’s victory over wicked Ravana. Diwali is a festival to mark the victory of goodness over evil.  Dhanteras is celebrated by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and Lord Kuber for money as he is believed the treasurer of wealth. Lord Krishna defeated demon Naraka and so the first day of the festival is known as Naraka Chaturdasi. Then second day is known as Kartika Suddha Padyami as Lord Vishnu conquered demon Bali. Yama Dvitya is the day dedicated for sisters and brothers. It is the day when sisters pray for the well being of their brothers to Goddess Yama.

Diwali Celebrations:

Diwali is a celebrated by offering special puja to Goddess Lakshmi asking for wealth and prosperity. Lord Ganesha is worshipped for god health and well being.  Processions are held across the streets by people holding Goddess Lakshmi’s images and statues. Houses are decorated with earthen lamps and colourful lights along with torans made up of leave and flowers. Rangolis are also made by girls and women at the floor of the entrance.  Kids and their parents wear new clothes and perform some rituals. Gambling is also a very important part of the festival. Evenings are very special as kids along with elders enjoy bursting crackers and setting off fireworks in the sky. At night the sky seems to be filled with artificial stars glittering all around.  People share gifts amongst each other and enjoy eating special festival feast and also distribute sweets to each other.