Diwali Greetings

[Guest guest]

*We Wish You A Very Happy Diwali and a Prosperous New Year. *

 

 

 

*Diwali* also called *Deepavali* is a major Hindu festival in India. Known

as the "Festival of Lights", it symbolizes the victory of Good over Evil and

Lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. *Deepavali* is

celebrated for 5 consecutive days in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja. It is on

the New Moon day of Kartika month, although the celebrations begin 2 days

prior and end 2 days after that date. This year this festival would fall on

October 21 st. For Hindus *Diwali *is not only a festival of lights but

also a special occasion to worship *Lord Ganesha, Goddess Laxmi . *

 

 

 

The festival marks the victory of good over evil. The Sanskrit word *Deepavali

*means an array of lights that stand for victory of brightness over

darkness. On this day people wear new clothes, share sweets and light

firecrackers. Many businessmen in North India also start their new financial

year on this day.

 

 

 

As per the Skanda Purana the Goddess Shakti observed 21 days of Austerity

starting from Ashtami of Shukla Paksha(waxing period of moon) to get the

half part body of Lord Shiva. This is known as Kedhara Vrata. *Diwali* is

the completion of this vrata and Lord Shiva accepted Shakti into the left

half of the form and appeared as Ardhanarishvara.

 

 

 

*Diwali* is widely know as celebrating the return of Lord Rama back to

Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Laxman after killing the demon

Ravana.

 

 

 

- 2 days before *Diwali Dhan-Trayodashi *or *Dhan-teras* is celebrated. It

is an auspicious day for shopping.

 

- 1 day before *Diwali* is *Naraka Chaturdasi*: Narak means of a new era of

Light and Knowledge. Chaturdasi implies 14th day of the first half of the

lunar month.

 

- *Diwali* the actual day is celebrated on the third day of the festival,

when the moon completely wanes and total darkness sets in the night. *Lakshmi

puja* is performed which is followed by lighting of lamps around the house

and children burst crackers.

 

- 1st day after *Diwali *is *Varsha-Pratipada* or *Pawda*: This is the 1st day

of the New Year

 

- 2nd day after *Diwali *is *Bhayiduj *also known *as Bhyyaduj, Bhaubeej, or

Bhayitika *– on this day, brothers and sisters meet to express their love

and affection for each other.

 

 

 

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*Wishing you Prosperity and Happiness always*

* *

*Prasanna Kumar Kasturi*

*om namah shivaya group*