| It is called that India is the land of festivals. Despite
that fact that all the Indian festival have its own importance; Diwali
(Deepavali) stands out as unique and most awaited gift. Diwali is celebrated
for five continues days at the end of Hindu month of Ashwayuja and it usually
occurs in October/ November, and as I said earlier Diwali is one of the most
popular and eagerly awaited festivals in India. Diwali comes exactly twenty
days after Dussehra.
Diwali (also called Deepavali) also known as “Festival of
Lights” it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and people traditionally
lit lamps and place them around the home, in courtyards, verandahs and gardens
as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. The festival of Diwali also
celebrates the return of Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita and his
brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya from war in which he killed the demon king Ravana.
It is believed that the people lit oil lamps along the way to light their path
in the darkness when coming back home. This is the reason, why this festival is
celebrated a day earlier in South India since Lord Rama traveled from the south
to his kingdom in the north.
Now let us discuss the five days in detail:
The first day of Diwali: The first day of Diwali is
called Dhanvantari Triodasi, also called Dhanteras. It is in fact the
thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh (the dark forth night) of the month of Kartik.
On this day, Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic medicine
(medicine which promotes healthy long life) for mankind. This day marks the
beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset, Hindus take bath and
offers diya with prasad (sweets) to Yama Raj and pray for protection from
untimely death. This offering should be made near a Tulsi plant or any other
sacred tree that one might have in their yard.
The second day of Diwali: The second day of Diwali is
called Narak Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day of the dark forth night
of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna
destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. On this day,
we should massage our bodies with oil to relieve it of tiredness, bath and rest
so that we can celebrate Diwali with enthusiasm and devotion. On this night,
Diyas should NOT light.
The third day of Diwali: The Actual day of
Diwali is celebrated when the moon completely wanes and total darkness sets in the
night sky. This is the day when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is
performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their
priest and they worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi to achieve the blessings of
wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
The fourth day of Diwali: On this day, Goverdhan
Pooja is performed. Govardhan Puja also called Annakut is celebrated as the day
Krishna defeated Indra. Men present gifts to their wives on this day.
The fifth day of Diwali: The fifth day of the diwali
is called Bhai Dooj. This is the day after Goverdhan Pooja is performed and
normally two days after Diwali. It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard
about Raksha Bandhan (brothers day). Well this is sisters’ day. This is also
known as Bhai fota among Bengalis. Bhai fota is an event especially among
Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother's safety, success and well
being.
During this Diwali festive people also exchange gifts with
all their loved ones and burst firecrackers in the night to express their
happiness. Gift giving seems to be of utmost importance on the occasion of
Diwali, as it is a way of communicating respect, friendship, and appreciation.
Gifts need not be extravagant; downplaying the importance of your gift actually
conveys the message that the relationship is more important than the gift.
Thus identifying the importance of Diwali Gifts,
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