Diwali Festival
28 Oct, 2008
This festival is held all over india. |
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Celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil Divali commemorates the day when Lord Ram was coronated as the King of Ayodhya on his return with wife Site and brother Laxman after 14 years of exile and slaying of the demon King Ravana. Diwali (also known as Deepawali), or ‘the festival of lights’ is perhaps the most popular of all Hindu festivals. Enchanting festival of Diwali is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm in India. The festival marks the end of ignorance and beginning of knowledge that enlightens all.
The word Diwali is the abstraction of the Sanskrit word Deepavali - Deepen meaning light and Avali, meaning a row. It means a row of lights and indeed illumination forms its main attraction. Everyhome - lowly or mighty - the hut of the poor or the mansion of the rich - is alit with the orange glow of twinkling diyas or candles to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Multi-colored Rangoli designs, floral decorations and fireworks lendpicturesness and grandeur to this festival which heralds joy, mirth and happiness in the ensuing year. Diwali or more aptly Deepawali 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 which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Aasho. The word Dhan means wealth. Believing this day to be auspicious, women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. The Second day is called Narkachaturdashi or Choti Diwali which falls on the fourteenth day of the month of Aasho. This day therefore is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter.
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. On this very day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale. Hence, this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. Despite the fact that this day falls on an amavasya day it is regarded as the most auspicious.
The fourth day is padwa. Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. The Fifth and final day of Diwali Festival is known by the name of Bhayya-Duj. 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 fed him with special dishes and while parting Yamraj gave her a special gift as a token of his love. That day Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister will never be thrown. Since then, this day is being observed as a symbol of love between sisters and brothers.
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