Deepavali

[Guest guest]

Dear SY, Thanks for the great site about Diwali, which helps me to

get a better perspective on how my brothers see the world at this

time of year. I was hoping you could tell me, as there are five

different remembrances on five different days, if the return of Rama

is remembered on all five days. I was confused here. I am so happy to

hear of this festival! It seems so beautiful! I am happy that I

already knew enough about some of those gods and incarnations of

Vishnu to follow it pretty well. Also, I know about the

brother/sister day as well. Kumar has told me about this.

 

With all love and blessings for this puja, Bill

 

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, SY Zenith <syzenith> wrote:

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> 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.

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> 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.

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> 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.

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> 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.

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> First Day

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> Second Day

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> Third Day

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> Fourth Day

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> Fifth Day

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> 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.

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> 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.

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> 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.

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> 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.

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> 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....

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> Diwali Gifts

> Order Gifts,

> delivery only in India. Send Diwali Cards

> Over 150 cards to choose from.

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

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