Diwali is a five-day Hindu festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika. Celebrated as the day when Lord Rama returned home after 14 year exile, it is a jubilant festival that peaks on the third of the five days.
Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. The lamps are a symbolic representation of the lifting of spiritual darkness.
Hundreds of small oil lamps can be seen burning in Hindu communities during Diwali. They are placed around the home, in courtyards and gardens. The more lamps, the more likely Lakshimi (the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity) will be tempted to visit.
Also a significant holiday in Sikhism and Jainism, Diwali is observed by over 850 million people from Guyana and the West Indies to the United Kingdom and Kenya, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. when the main celebration of Diwali. Outside of India, usually only the third day is celebrated
Hindu New Years
Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. It is considered a propitious time for shopping, starting new ventures, making business deals and house warming.
To celebrate, doorways are often illuminated and decorated with Rangoli or traditional patterns to welcome the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.
The Five Days of Diwali
Dhanteras: Dhan means "wealth" and Teras means "13th day". Thus, as the name implies, this day falls on the 13th day of the second half of the Hindu lunar month. It is an auspicious day for shopping of gold and silver ornaments, idols and coins and god yantras.
Naraka Chaturdasi: Chaturdasi is the 14th day of the second half of the Hindu lunar month, the day on which demon Narakasura was killed. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
Diwali: The actual day of Diwali is celebrated on the third day of the festival, when the moon completely wanes and total darkness sets in the night sky. Laxmi puja (rituals) occur on this day. Some business places their accounting books in front of Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and offer pujas for the well being of the business.
Govardhan puja: The 4th day of Diwali is Govardhan Puja, celebrated as the day Krishna defeated Indra. In some celebrations, a mountain of food is decorated symbolizing Govardhan Mountain lifted by Lord Krishna. In some villages, people worship the holy cows by smearing vermillion and sandal wood paste on their foreheads and offering special prayers for their wellbeing.
Bhai dooj: The 5th and last day of Diwali is marked by sisters offering prayers for the general wellbeing of their brothers. Gifts are exchanged, expressing brotherly feelings of love and affection.
