Diwali - Light Of Happiness

Diwali- festival of lights,  symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".

 The festival is widely associated with Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity, with many other regional traditions connecting the holiday to Sita and Rama, Vishnu, Krishna, Yama, Yami, Durga, Kali, Hanuman, Ganesha, Kubera, Dhanvantari, or Vishvakarman. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.

All around the corner - not just in India, Diwali is celebrated all over the world with great enthusiasm.

Diwali is one of the most prominent festivals in Hindu culture.

Generally, families celebrate for five days and on Amavasya or and the dawn of a New Year according to the Hindu calendar and even considered as the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

There are many stories about Diwali said and many of the festivals are about the triumph of good over evil.

In the northern part of India Diwali festival is about Rama winning over the evil king - Ravana ending the 14 - year exile. As Rama and Sita return to the north, "millions of lights are spread out across the city Ayodhya to welcome them back home.

In the south, Diwali is celebrated and linked to the story of god Krishna, here God Krishna frees 16,000 women from another evil king.

In the western part of Gujarat, Diwali is celebrated as New Year as per the Hindus calendar and associated with asking the goddess Lakshmi for wealth & prosperity for the upcoming year.

The date that Deepavali falls on each year holds a special significance for not only Hindus, but also the Sikhs and Jains. But though they share the tradition of lamp-lighting, each religion has its own unique beliefs and practices.

No matter their differences, these three religions still come together every year to make the world just a little bit brighter.

 Diwali Five-Day Celebration:

1: Dhana: Trayodashi: On the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha Lord Dhanvantari is honored from here Diwali celebration begins.

Lord Dhanvantari is believed as Lord Vishnu's incarnation and is considered to be the guru of all physicians ie  Ayurveda. Dhanvantari is the provider of good health..

2: Naraka Chaturdashi: Second day of the Diwali festival.The day on which demon Narakasura was killed - which is the significant victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

Narak Chaturdashi is also known as Roop Chaturdashi and also known as Kali Chaudas in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and some parts of Maharashtra.

3: Lakshmi Pooja (Diwali): Diwali's third day is the most important day, on this special day Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped of wealth & Prosperity and with the Lord Ganesha.

The third day is celebrated with more colors of lighting of diyas/lamps, crackers, delicious sweets, new clothes, and family get together exchanging gifts.

4: Govardhan Puja: Fourth day, after Diwali festival. Govardhan Puja is celebrated as the victory of Lord Krishna over king Indra.

Devotes pray to Lord Govardhan and ask him to protect them all from the poverty of life.

Govardhan Puja also known as "Bali Pratipada" , "Annakuta Puja" , "Padwa" , "Gujarati New Year".

5:  Yama Dwitiya: Fifth day the final day of Diwali festival. After cutting down the evil rakshasa Narakasura, Lord Krishna came to his sister Subhadra and she was more delighted and gave him a warm welcome with lots of flowers & sweets also devotedly applied tilaka on Lord Krishna's forehead.

Yama Dwitiya is also known as Bhai Dooj festival.

Light Up Your Home With Diyas - The main essence of deepawali  festival is the lighting up the entire home with earthen diyas or lamps. Deepavali is synonymous with the multitude of oil lamps that are lit up at dusk. This is done for a couple of reasons, but the main one is that the light symbolises the sun and chases the darkness away. After all, Deepavali falls on a new moon every year which makes for the darkest night.

Decorative lights and diyas (oil lamps) form the main part of the festivities. Lamps and lanterns are lit to remove darkness and bring in light and positivity. Illuminating the entire house with clay or earthen diyas/lamps has not diminished.