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Diwali 2023

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November 11, 2023, Saturday

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Introduction to Diwali

Diwali also called Deepavali (meaning row of lights) is a festival of lights widely celebrated with grandeur all over India. This festival is celebrated on Amavasya (New Moon) in the Tamil month of Aippasi (mid-Oct to mid-Nov) to commemorate the destruction of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. Diwali is also observed as an event to worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, and receive her abundant blessings.

Significance of Diwali

Diwali is celebrated for a variety of reasons; however, this grand festival of lights symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the dispelling of darkness or ignorance by the divine force. This auspicious festival also denotes the removal of darkness from our inner selves and helps rejuvenate our minds and bodies. Diwali, one of the grand festivals of India, also involves seeking the grace of Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and wisdom.

Mythology behind Diwali

There are several mythologies associated with Diwali.

  • As per the famous legend, Diwali marks the destruction of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna, symbolizing the removal of darkness or ignorance (Narakasura) and bestowing auspiciousness. This mythological event is celebrated by bursting crackers and exchanging sweets among everyone
  • According to the Ramayana, Diwali signifies the return of Lord Rama along with his wife Sita, brother Lakshman and devotee Hanuman to Ayodhya, after defeating Ravana
  • According to the Mahabharata, the Pandava brothers returned home from their 12-year exile on the day of Diwali
  • Diwali also marks the birth of Goddess Lakshmi during Samudra Manthan – the churning of the milky ocean for nectar
Rituals of Diwali
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The celebration of Diwali differs in different regions of India. In Northern states, Diwali is celebrated for four days from Trayodashi (13th lunar day) as Dhanteras on the first day, Naraka Chaturdashi on the second day, Lakshmi Pooja (Diwali) on the third day and Padwa on the fourth day. Each day has its own significance and rituals. In most of the southern states, Diwali is celebrated for a period of 3 to 5 days before and after the new Moon day or Amavasya.

People have an oil bath early in the morning and offer prayers to Lord Krishna, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Kubera (banker of heaven). Houses are cleaned, and beautiful rangolis (patterns) are drawn at the footstep. The joyous event involves lighting of lamps and bursting of firecrackers, which symbolizes the removal of darkness with light on the clear and dark no-moon sky. People adorn themselves with new clothes and exchange sweets and gifts with their family and friends. Marwari, Gujarati and Nepali New Year is also celebrated on the day of Diwali.

Benefits of Observing Diwali

Celebrating Diwali and offering your sincere prayers on this day of lights can bestow you with the following benefits:

  • Dispel ignorance (darkness) and grant wisdom (light)
  • Grant sound health, wealth, happiness and prosperity
  • Bestow auspiciousness, victory, and abundance
  • Remove negativities and evil forces from surrounding
  • Strengthen the bond among kith and kin
  • Blessings of mental, physical and material wellbeing

Diwali FAQ's

It will occur between October and November. In South India Diwali is celebrated on Chaturdasi that is 14th Moon, in North India it is celebrated on Amavasya

In each Yuga (epoch), Diwali is celebrated to signify the victory of good over evil. During the Ramayana period, the homecoming of Rama with Sita and brother Laxman after killing the ten-headed Lanka King Ravana was celebrated as Diwali.

From the Mahabharata period, the victory of Krishna over demon-king Narakasura became the reason to celebrate Diwali.

Diwali is a festival of lights and lamps celebrated all over India. The most popular festival in Hinduism, the day signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm, as on this day, Rama returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana and Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. People adorned the entire town with lights and lamps to welcome Rama and celebrate Krishna’s victory.

Diwali coincides with “BandiChhorDiwas” in the Sikh community that means the day of liberation. The day signifies the release of Sikh Guru Hargobind with 52 other Kings from the Mughal Emperor.

Generally, Diwali is a five-day festival during which people clean their homes, draw Rangoli (decorative pattern drawn at the house’s entrance using finely ground rice powder), place Diyas (lamps), prepare sweets, burst crackers, and wish each other “Happy Diwali.”

Make your own greeting cards with different DIY methods using craft papers. You can also design them in any card making application and take printouts.

Connect With The Divine

The sacred scriptures prescribe fire ceremony, Abishekam (hydration ceremony), Pooja/Archana (Light and Sound ceremony), Yantra and Mantra (special sounds) as the ways to offer your prayer to the divine. Out of these, fire ceremony is the most evolved spiritual technology on earth to connect with the divine beings. Participate in the remedial services to clear your karma and receive the blessings.

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