DIWALI FESTIVAL OF 5 FESTIVALS

November 9, 2007

\ DIWALI FESTIVAL OF 5 FESTIVALS The festival of lights “Diwali” is celebrated by Hindus around the world in a joyous mood with great zeal and enthusiasm. Diwali is the festival to worship Goddess Lakshmi and represents happiness, togetherness with a 5 day celebrations. Diwali is the festival, which means celebration one after another, each day with a new philosophy. It is

also celebrated to express the happiness of Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after killing Ravan. Here is the meaning of various celebrations performed during the 5 day period. First Day-Dhanteras: The first day of the festival of Diwali begins with Dhanvantari Trayodashi, which is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartik. Dhanvantari Trayodashi is popularly known

as Dhanteras. Legends have it that Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic Knowledge on this day for the physical well being of human beings. People also worship Lord Yamaraj, the God of death, on this day and light a 'Yama-Diya' in the night to offer prayers to Him to bless them with long life and prosperity. As a sign of good luck people purchase new utensils, silver or gold coins or some other precious metal on Dhanteras. Second Day - Chhoti

Diwali: After the Dhanteras the second day of Diwali is Narak Chaturdashi. Legends have it that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur on this day to make the mankind free from his terror and cruelty. It is a tradition to massage the body with oil and to bathe on this day. According to an interesting saying it is believed that those who do not bathe on this day go to the Narak (hell). In the state of Maharashtra people take the traditional early baths after applying the paste of gram flour, fragrant powders and oil on their foreheads. As long as the ritual of bath takes place, deafening sound of crackers and fireworks could be heard so that the children enjoy bathing. The Narak Chaturdashi or Chhoti diwali is the day when people light lamps and diyas in and outside their homes. Third Day-Badi Diwali or Lakshmi Pujan The third day of Diwali also called badi Diwali is the main day of celebrations of the festival of Diwali. People perform Lakshmi Pujan, worship Goddess of wealth Lakshmi and offer prayers to Her to bless them with wealth and prosperity. The story of Lakshmi pooja goes like this. It is believed that when the demons and deities were churning the ocean together to find out the 'drink of immortality', it was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi manifested

herself and thus Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Goddess of Wealth. Another legend says that on the night prior to the celebration of Diwali, Lord Krishna has killed the demon Narakasura freeing the earth from his terrors and liberating the 16000 Princesses that were abducted by him. On the next day people illuminated their houses and celebrated Diwali to express their joy and relief. Mahabharata mentions the return of Pandavas to their kingdom from their 14-year long exile on this very day. Vikramaditya, the great benevolent king and warrior was believed to be enthroned on Diwali. Whatever the reasons may be, Diwali has always been associated with the tradition of lighting Lamps, offering prayers to Goddess of wealth Lakshmi and giving to less fortunate in the society. Fourth Day-Gowardhan Puja/Anna Koot: the fourth day of Diwali is devoted to Govardhan Pooja the worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat. 'Govardhan' is a Hill situated at 'Braj', near Mathura. The legends in 'Vishnu Puraan' have it that the people of Gokul used to worship Lord Indra for the rains because they believed that it was He who sent rains for their welfare. But Lord Krishna told them that it was Mount Govardhan and not Lord Indra who caused rains therefore they should worship the former and not the latter. People did the same that

made Lord Indra very furious. As a result of His anger people of Gokul had to face very heavy rains & flooding. Then Lord Krishna came forward to ensure their security. After performing worship and offering to Mount Govardhan, he lifted it as an umbrella on the little finger of his right hand so that everyone could take shelter under it. After this event Lord Krishna was also known as Giridhari or Govardhandhari. Since then it became a tradition for Hindus to worship Govardhan Parvat to honor that first Pooja on this day. This day is also observed as Anna-Koot, which literally means 'Mountain of Food'. On this

auspicious day the people prepare fifty-six or one hundredeight different varieties of delicious dishes to offer Lord Krishna as 'Bhog'. Fifth Day - Bhai Dooj / Bhaiya Dooj The fifth day of the Diwali is Bhai Dooj, the time to honor the brother-sister relationship. Legends have it that in the Vedic era, Lord Yamaraj the God of death visited his sister Yamuna on this day and blessed her with a boon that if brothers visit their sisters on this day then they will be liberated from all

their sins and blessed with health, wealth & long life. In the Bengali culture this day is celebrated as “Bhai Fota”. Bhai Dooj is also known by the name of 'Yam-Dwitiya'. It has become a tradition that on the day of Bhai-Dooj brothers visits their sisters’ home and offers them gifts. Sisters also offer gifts, sweets & various dishes to their brothers and pray for their well being & long life. The celebration of Bhai Dooj marks the end of five days long festivities of Diwali. Dear Elders,

Families, Relatives and Friends there is so much to celebrate, this sparkling festival of multiple festivals Diwali. As families and friends gather on this wonderful occasion of Diwali to experience togetherness, sense of loving and giving. We wish you a very happy and prosperous Diwali & a prosperous New Year. We pray to the Almighty God, “May all your dreams & aspirations come true.” Prachi Makkar WHY THE LAMP/DIYA IS LIGHTED? Lamps are lit for daily worship, rituals and festivals - Symbolizes Knowledge, as opposed to darkness or ignorance. Knowledge is lasting Inner Wealth, lamp is lit to bow down to knowledge as

the greatest of all forms of wealth. Lord is "Knowledge Principle", the source of all knowledge; thus light is worshiped as the Lord Himself. Oil or ghee in lamp is our "vasanas" or negative tendencies and Wick is our ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the "vasanas' get slowly exhausted, and the ego too finally perishes. Flame burns upwards - Similarly, acquire knowledge so as to take us towards higher ideals. A single lamp can light hundreds - Similarly a man of knowledge can share knowledge with others without diminishing his own knowledge. Surya Makkar HAPPY DIWALI Download Free Devotional music: www.soundClick.com/prachisurya Title: NARAYAN (GOD) & EK OMKAR (ONE GOD) RECORDED: SEP. 2006 PLEASE JOIN US FOR DIWALI CELEBRATIONS ON NOV. 10, 2007 FROM 3.00 PM to 7.30

PM CULTURAL PROGRAMME BY CHILDREN AT OM TEMPLE 124-126 JORALEMON ST BELLVILLE, NJ 07109 973 749 5480 Contact Person: Mr. Vijay Chopra 908 578 0934