Diwali 03rd Nov. 2010

Deepavali is the 'Festival of Lights'. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional diyas (as illustrated). Fireworks are associated with the festival in some regions of the country. A typical household celebrates Diwali with fireworks.

The date of Diwali is based on the Hindu calendar, which has solar sideral years and lunar months. Although the festival is worshipped on exactly the same set of days across India, it falls in different months depending on the version of the Hindu calendar being used in the given region.

The Amanta ('ending on the no-moon') version of the Hindu Calendar has been adopted as the Indian national calendar. According to this calendar, which is prevalent in southern India and Maharashtra, deepavali falls in the middle of the month of Ashwayuja. According to the Purnimanta ('ending on the full-moon') version prevalent in northern India, the 5-day celebration is spread over the last three days of the month of Ashwayuja and the first two days of the new month of Kartika. According to this calendar, the festival of Deepavali marks the new year's day of this calendar and is therefore an especially significant festival.

Diwali is the festival of five consecutive days.

Dhan Teras 3rd Nov. 2010: Two days before Diwali, on the thirteenth day of the dark half of Kartik, Dhan Teras or Dhanvantari Trayodashi is observed. Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, who emerged from the cosmic ocean when it was churned by gods and demons, is worshipped, especially by the medical community.

He is considered the founder of Indian systems of medicine, especially of Ayurveda. He is also called Sudha-pani because he appeared from the ocean carrying nectar in his hands. People rise at dawn, bathe, and wear new clothes. A fast is observed during the day, broken after an earthen-lamp is lit in front of the door of the house. New utensils are bought to symbolise acquisition of prosperity through the year.

Narak Chaturdashi 5th Nov. 2010 : The day after Dhan Teras and/or Diwali eve is Narak Chaturdashi. It is dedicated to Yama, the god of Naraka or hell. Those who bathe early in the morning on this day, after an oil massage, are believed to earn religious merit with religious points earned getting nullified if the bath happens after sunrise.

After the bath, Yamraj is offered libations three times to avoid the tortures of death. A fast is maintained. In the evening, lamps are lit in honour of Yama. Piety on Narak Chaturdashi liberates the worshipper from a future in hell. People in South and West India celebrate Narak Chaturdashi as the day when Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur.

Diwali or Lakshmi Poojan 7th Nov. 2010 : Diwali is celebrated on the last day of the dark half of Kartik. According to the myth, the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, comes to earth on this day. People tidy up their homes, offices, and shops, and decorate them lavishly to welcome her, lighting lamps at night to illuminate her way into the premises.

Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. While Laxmi is generally worshiped to achieve success, she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy or desire her only as wealth.

Bali Pratipada 6th Nov. 2010 :  Bali Pratipada is the day on which 'Bali' is worshiped. Following Deepavali, there is a story behind celebrating this festival. When Vishnu was born as vamana (the dwarf), he crushed Bali into the under world. Then Prahlada, the grandfather of Bali pleaded Vishnu to pardon Bali. Then Bali was made the king of the under world. On Bali's request, Vishnu granted a boon that people on earth would remember him and would worship him. That is the reason for Balipadyami. On that day also people burst crackers and celebrate in the name of Bali.

Bhai Dooj 7th Nov. 2010 : On the day of Bhai Dooj, sisters pray for the well being and longevity of their brothers by performing special pooja ceremonies & putting vermilion (Tilak) on their brother's forehead. In a reciprocal gesture brothers bestow gifts and swear to protect their sisters when need arises. Bhai Dooj or Bhai Duj festival is known and celebrated across India by various names like: Bhaubeej or Bhau-Beej (in Maharashtra), Bhai Beej (in Gujarat), Bhai Phota (in West Bengal). The festival of Bhai Dooj occurs every year generally in the month of October-November.

May the festival of lights be the harbinger of joy and prosperity.  As the holy occasion of Diwali is here and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit of mirth and love, here's hoping this festival of beauty brings your way, bright parkles of contentment, that stay with you through the days ahead.

Best wishes on Diwali and New year.

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