Deepavali

[Guest guest]

Namaste Friends,

 

This fantastic site has puja-cards and the Url is:

 

http://www.diwalimela.com/festivaloflights/index.html

 

Festival Of Lights

Diwali-A festival synonymous with celebrations in India and among Indians

all over the world, is an occasion for jubilation and togetherness. This is an

occasion for young and the old, men and women, rich and poor - for everyone.

Irrespective of their religious and economic background, the festival is

celebrated throughout the country to ward off the darkness and welcome the

light into their lives.

 

The word "Diwali" is made by Sanskrit word "Deepavali" - Deepa meaning

light and Avali means a row, i.e a row of light. Diwali is celebrated 20 days

after Dussera, on Amavasya - the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu

month of Ashwin (Aasho) (Oct/ Nov) every year.

The legend related to Diwali is that King Dashratha had three wives

namely Kaushalaya, Keykayee and Sumitra and four sons Rama, Bharat, Laxmana and

Shatrughan. Rama was the son of Queen Kaushalaya and Bharat was the son of Queen

Keykayee. Keykayee wanted Bharat to be the next King while the King Dasharatha

wanted Rama, his eldest son to be the King. But Keykayee made full use of the

two wishes King Dasharatha had promised Keykayee and asked for sending Rama to

exile for the period of fourteen years. During that time Lord Rama fought and

won tenuous struggles in the south part of the Indian sub-continent (which some

people believe is now Sri Lanka) killing the king of Demons, Ravana who had

forcibly taken away his wife Sita. Diwali marks his victorious return to his

kingdom along with Hanuman,the Vanar who helped him in achieving success.

People give expressions to their happiness by lighting earthen diyas and

decorating the houses to welcome Lakshmi- the Goddess of wealth and prosperity,

bursting fire crackers and inviting the near and dear ones to their households

for partaking in the luxurious feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying

obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and fame

and it also signifies goodness. It is also marked as the beginning of the Hindu

New Year and as a brand new beginning for all. Diwali is celebrated for five

days, each day having it's own significance, rituals and myths.

First Day

Second Day

Third Day

Fourth Day

Fifth Day

The First day is called Dhanteras or Dhantryaodashi, which falls on the

thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The word "Dhan" means wealth. This day

has great importance for rich community. It is believed that sixteen year old

son of King Hima according to his horoscope was doomed to die on the fourth day

of his marriage by a snake-bite .So, on that particular fourth day of his

marriage his worried wife lighted innumerable lamps all over the place and laid

all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the

entrance of her husband's boudoir. And she went on telling stories and singing

songs through the night. When Yam-the god of death arrived there in the guise

of a Serpent the dazzle of those brilliant lights blinded his eyes and he could

not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on the heap of the ornaments and

coins and sat their whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the

morning he quietly went away. Thus the wife saved her husband and 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 or Chhoti Diwali that falls on

the fourteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The legend related to this day is

about the King Bali of the nether world that mighty power had become a threat

to the gods. In order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a small

boy 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. So 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 and putting his foot on his head Vishnu

pushed him down to the underworld. But for his generosity Lord Vishnu 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.

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.

This day is also known by the name of "Chopada-Puja". The day of Lakshmi-Puja

falls on the dark night of Amavasya. It is believed that on this auspicious day

Lord Krishna discarded his body. One more interesting story related to this day

is of a small boy called Nichiketa who believed that Yam, the god of Death was

as black as the dark night of amavasya. He on this day met Yam in person and

was puzzled seeing Yam's calm countenance and dignified stature. Yam explained

to Nichiketa on this day of amavasya that by only passing through the darkness

of death, man sees the light of highest wisdom and then only his soul can

escape from the bondage of his mortal frame to mingle with the Supreme Power

without whose will nothing moves in the world. And then Nichiketa realised the

importance of worldly life and significance of death. Nichiketa's all doubts

were set at rest and he whole-heartedly participated in Diwali celebrations.

The Fourth day is called Padwa or VarshaPratipada that 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 Indra 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 and prayers are offered

in the temples.

The Fifth and final day of Diwali Festival is known by the name of

"Bhaiya-Dooj" This day is observed as a symbol of love between sisters and

brothers. It is believed that on this day Yamraj -the god of death visited his

sister Yami and she put the auspicious till on his forehead, they ate talked

and enjoyed together and exchanged special gifts as a token of their love for

each other and Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister

on this day will never be thrown. Since then it became imperative for the

brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaiya Dooj. More....

Diwali Gifts Order Gifts,delivery only in India.

Send Diwali CardsOver 150 cards to choose

from.http://www.diwalimela.com/festivaloflights/index.htmlDo You ?

Make a great connection at Personals.