Wish you all a Very Happy Diwali (Deepawali)
Deepavali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers thank for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come… Also this marked the closing of accounts for businesses men and to start a new account on this day Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity and her blessings are invoked for a prosperous year ahead...Did You Know? Did You Know? Did You Know?
Following countries have Diwali is an important festival Deepavali is
official holidays on diwali for other religion also - celebrated for five days - .
- India - Guyana - Jainism Day - 1 Dhan Teras
- Nepal - Suriname - Buddhism Day - 2 Naraka Chaturdashi
- Sri Lanka - Malaysia - Sikhism Day - 3 Lakshmi Puja
- Myanmar - Singapore Day - 4 Govardhan Puja
- Mauritius - Fiji Day - 5 Bhaiduj
- Trinidad & Tobago Each day of diwali marks one
celebration of the six principal
stories associated with the festival.
Day - 1 - Dhan Teras or Dhanwantari Triodasi
- It is considerd as an auspicious day for buying utensils and gold, hence the name "Dhana".
- This day is regarded as the Jayanti (Birth Anniversary) of God Dhanvantari, the physician of Gods, who came out during Samudra manthan, the churning of the great ocean by the gods and the demons.
Day - 2 Narak Chatudashi or Choti Diwali
- This was the day on which the demon Naraksura was killed by Lord Krishna ( an incarnation of Vishnu)
- It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness
- In southern India, this is the actual day of festivities.
Day - 3 Lakshmi Puja or Diwali or Deepavali or Deepawali
- In Diwali Hindu worships Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesha, the god of auspicious beginnings, and then light lamps in the street and homes to welcome prosperity and well being.
- According to the first legend, on this day, Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar, the ocean of Milk, during the great churning of the oceans, Samudra Manthan.
- On this day, Lord Vishnu came back to his abode the Vaikuntha. So thos who worship goddess Lakshmi receive the benefit of her bebevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and material well being.
- The return of Rama after 14 years of vanvas (banishment). To welcome his return, diya (ghee lamps) were lit in rows of 20.
- Return of Pandavas after 12 years of vanvas and one year of agyatvas.
Day - 4 Govardhan Punja
- It is celebrated as the day Lord Krishna defeated Indra. He lifted the Goverdhan hill to save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods.
- In maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and karnatka, it is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Bali Padyami.
- The day commemorates the victory of Vishnu in his dwarf from Vamana over the demon King Bali, who was pushed into the patala
- In Mahrashtra, it is called as Pandava or Nava Diwas (New Day). Men present gifts to their wives on this day.
Day - 5 Bhaiduj
- On this day, brothers and sisters meet to express love and affection for each other
- It is based on a story when Yama, a Lord of Death, visited his sister Yami (the river Yamuna)
- Yami welcomed Yama with an Aarti and they had a feast together. Yama gave a gift to Yami while leaving as token of this appriciation. so the day is called "Yamadwitiya".
- Brothers visit their sisters place on this day and usually have a meal there, and also give gifts to their sisters.
Diwali is celebrate in different reiligion in differnt ways
Jains celebrates Diwali because -
- Lord mahavira, the last of the jain Trithankars, attained Nirvana or Moksha on this day at pavapuri on Oct, 15 527BC.
- The chief disciple of Mahavira, Ganadhara Gautam Swami also attained complete knolwedge (Kevalgyana) on this day, thus making Diwali one of the most important Jain festivals.
- The Jain year starts with Pratipada following Diwali.
- The Jain business people start their accounting year from Diwali
Buddhist Celebrates Diwali because -
Buddhist celebrate Diwali through the chanting of mantras and remembering Emperor Ashoka
Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism on this day and therefore Buddhists celebrate this festival as Ashok Vijayadashami.
Sikh Celebrates Diwali -
- Celebrate Diwali as Bandi chhorh Divas (the Day of Freedom).
- Celebrate the release from the prison of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobing ji and 52 other princes with him, in 1619
- Also Celebrated as the martyrdom of Sikh Scholar and strategist Bhai Mani Singh in 1737.
- Bhain Mani singh was the Granthi (keeper/reader of SikhScripture) of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). he transcribed the final version of Guru Granth Sahib dictated to him by Guru Gobind Singh in 1704.
Source : - Wikipedia and different websites
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May the auspicious festival of lights illuminate your life in the year ahead with Happiness and Prosperity!!!
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