To Tulsidas / Diwali Festival

[Guest guest]

Diwali Festival

¤

Most Popular Hindu Festival

 

Diwali

(also known as Deepawali), or `the festival of lights' is

perhaps the most popular of all Hindu festivals. Like most festivals,

Diwali has its mythological and historical bedrock. Legend has it that

Hanuman (the legendary monkey-god and prime devotee of Lord Rama, the

god-hero of the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana) delivered the much

awaited message of Rama's return to Ayodhya (Rama's kingdom)

after 14 years in exile. The entire kingdom rejoiced upon hearing the

news and Ayodhya was washed, cleansed and dressed up with lights and

shimmering earthen lamps to welcome the Lord himself. Diwali is

celebrated even today to commemorate this event.

 

 

¤ Celebrated To Mark The Triumph of Good Over EviBefore his final return to Ayodhya, not only was Lord Rama required

to spend 14 years in exile, but he had to slay Ravana, the ten-headed

ruler of Lanka, who abducted his wife, in order to rescue her. Thus

the festival is also celebrated to mark the triumph of Good over Evil,

light over darkness, sunshine after rain, laughter after pain.

 

Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartik (around November)

on Amavas, or the new moon right after Dussehra. Today Diwali is also

dedicated to Ganesha (the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and

Prosperity) and Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth).

 

 

¤ The Mythological Story

 

The mythological story of Sagar Manthan or `churning the ocean'

may help us understand why Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is

worshipped during Diwali. Legend has it that once all the devtas, or

demigods were under a curse that made them weak in body and mind. They

were advised by Brahma (Creator in the Hindu Holy Trinity of

Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) to drink amrit, or the elixir of life.

But amrit could only be obtained by the churning of the ocean, which,

needless to add, was no mean feat. Now the question arose as to

how to go about churning the gargantuan ocean. Lord Vishnu (the Hindu

Preserver of the Universe) came up with a solution saying that Mount

Meru could act as the churning stick, while Vasuki (the mythical

serpent) could be used as the coil around Meru. Pleased with the

suggestion, the devtas went to the asuras, or demons and sought their

help in accomplishing the formidable task. The devtas' promise to

share the amrit with the asuras tricked the latter into consenting to

tug Vasuki from one end.

 

Thus ensued a phenomenal churning that, however, threatened to

destroy the three worlds (Heaven, Earth and Hell). The gods simply

could not let that happen, so Vishnu appeared in the guise of a giant

tortoise or Kurma (Vishnu's second incarnation) and stabilised the

churning by acting as a base under Mount Meru. It is said that

eventually, spectacular treasures emerged from the great ocean

including Laksmi the Goddess of Prosperity and Wealth, Sura the

Goddess of Wine, Chandra, or the moon, Apsaras, the celestial nymphs,

Kaustabha, the precious gem of Vishnu, Uchchaishravas, the divine

horse, Parijata, the wishing coral tree, Kamdhenu, the wish-fulfilling

Divine Cow, Airavata, the four-tusked white elephant, Panchajanya, or

the conch, Sharanga, the invincible bow, and Dhanvantri, Nimi and

Bharadwaj - the physicians and surgeons.

 

 

¤ The Distribution of Poison and The Nector

 

Then appeared Halahala, the deadly poison, that had to be extracted

before it could spell doom across the universe, and finally emerged

the Amrit Kumbh, or pitcher of amrit. The mighty Shiva (the Destroyer

of the Universe) stepped in to consume the poison as he was the only

one who had the capacity to contain Halahala. Shiva drank the poison

but kept it in his neck, perhaps to prevent the poison from entering

his stomach. Ever since, he has been nicknamed Neelkantha or the

blackneck. Meanwhile, in order to prevent the asuras from consuming

the amrit, the devtas took the priceless pot and fled, with the asuras

trailing behind in pursuit. Eventually the asuras caught up with the

devtas who, in turn, decided to take on the asuras. It is believed

that in all this melee, a few drops of amrit fell from the pot on

spots that are the present-day towns of Nasik, Ujjain, Haridwar and Allahabad, rendering indestructible and sacred for all times to come.

 

 

¤ Goddess Lakshmi -The Main Deity

 

Since Goddess Lakshmi was amongst the spectacular treasures that

emerged from the great ocean, hence, along with Ganesha, who is

customarily invoked before ceremonies are performed, Lakshmi presides

over all the ceremonies that are performed during Diwali.

 

Days before Diwali, people get into a veritable tailspin, what with

all the planning and shopping to be done for the ceremonies,

especially for the grand Diwali night.

They wash, clean and even whitewash their homes and shops – it

seems no god or goddess blesses a mess! The women folk especially in

South India decorate their homes and doorsteps with colourful rangolis

(patterns made on the floor by using various coloured powders). Dhan

Teras Celebrations

 

Two days before Diwali is called dhan teras (dhan is wealth in Hindi

and teras is 13th, to signify the 13th day

after the full moon).

 

This day is devoted to Goddess Lakshmi as it is believed that she

pays each house a visit on this day of the year. People hold a Lakshmi

puja (prayer ceremony) in their homes. This day is especially

significant for the merchant class, and quite understandably so.

Traditionally this day marked the commencement of the new financial

year and is still considered to do so by some people. In urban India,

many business deals are finalised around this time and business houses

give a Diwali bonus and gifts to their employees on the occasion.

 

 

¤ Chhoti Diwali

 

The day before Diwali is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali (small Diwali).

This is the day when Hanuman reached Ayodhya to deliver the

long-awaited message of Lord Rama's return. On Chhoti Diwali,

people socialise and exchange sweets and gifts. There is a puja in the

evening, and the puja sthan (most Indian homes have a special room or

corner with a little temple in which they pray) is decorated with

empty earthen lamps and newly purchased idols that are to be

worshipped in it. In Bengal, people celebrate the Kali puja on this

day. Kali is the Goddess of War and is highly revered by the Bengalis.

In South India, an oil massage followed by a bath before dawn on this

day is equated to taking a dip in the holy River Ganga. and a dip in

the Ganga (the holy river of India supposed to absolve one of all

sins) on this day is also considered to be an act of piety.

 

 

¤ The Shopping Day

 

The day is also chalked out for shopping. Markets are piled up with

goodies and decorated to the hilt. Every year, there is an array of

new things on display. Shopkeepers offer mega Diwali discounts to

allure customers.

 

Firecracker stalls have every conceivable cracker and `bomb',

from rockets to sparklers to fire snakes, burning trains and what have

you, covered in shiny golden and silver paper, for children and adults

alike.

 

Children look forward to their shopping binge primarily for this

reason. Hordes of families throng the markets of their towns and

villages for the Diwali shopping spree. Clothes are bought for all

members of the family.

 

Buying utensils on dhan teras is also a must, as doing so is

considered auspicious. Lamps, candles, festoons, animal-shaped sugar

candies, sweets covered with silver foil and packed in bright

cardboard boxes, colourful earthen idols of various important gods and

goddesses and other things adorn endless rows of shelves.

 

 

¤ The Mass Celebration of Diwali Festival

 

Finally the big day arrives and the excitement reaches fever pitch,

especially for the children, as they can hardly wait for the night to

get their hands on the crackers! But the day itself is not without its

share of delightful moments.

 

The women of the house get their culinary act together to turn out an

elaborate feast. An extensive fare is laid out for the household, and

certain sweets are especially made during this festival, as Diwali is

also the festival of sweets and feasting. In the evening, lamps and

candles are placed all around the house after which the entire family

assembles for the puja. A big earthen diya (lamp) is lit and later

taken around the house to light all the candles and diyas.

 

Every house – big or small – participates in this ritual.

Even the most modest shacks are transformed into bright households

with a few diyas. Every little village and town glitters on this

night. The sky is set ablaze with thousands of crackers bursting and

diffusing coloured lights high into the sky.http://www.indiasite.com/festivals/diwali.html -----------------------------

Diwali Puja Process

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diwali is the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It

is believed that Goddess Laxmi visit everyone during Diwali and brings peace

and prosperity to all. On the night of Diwali "Lakshmi-Pujan"

is performed in the evenings. A traditional Pujan is performed after sunset

in all the homes.

 

Five pieces of ghee diyas (lamps) are lit in front of the

deities, naivedya of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess and

devotional songs are sung in praise of Goddess Laxmi. After Deepawali Puja

people light diyas (lamps) in their homes to usher in light and clear the

darkness from the world.

 

In villages cattle are adorned and worshipped by farmers as they form the

main source of their income. In south, cows are offered special veneration

as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore

they are adorned and worshipped on this day.

 

 

Step By Step Diwali Pujan:

First clean the Puja room and then Bathe each Deity (Lakshmi &

Ganesh) first with water, then with panchamitra/or rose water,

followed by water once more Now put Deepak (Lamp) in front of the Deities - As the tiny

diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits

Make a Panchamitra with 5 ingredients of milk, curd, ghee

(clarified butter), sugar & Honey. Place Few mithais, snacks & fruits as a prashad. Make offerings of flowers, Abir (red colour), Sindoor

(vermillion) and Haldi (turmeric). Light the Agarbatti (incense

sticks) and lamps filled with Ghee. Now make offerings of Fruit, Sweet dishes (mithai), Salty snacks

(Mathis, Ghathia, Namakpare) and offer Dakshina (token money), which

could be given to the poor. In the end offer paan (betel leaves),

cloves. Now pray to the deities to seek their blessings. Ganesh Pooja : Ganesh Puja is a must for Diwali Puja. (Lord

Ganesha is to be worshipped in all pujas before any other God or

Goddess.) (Ganesh Aarti is sung) Laxmi Pooja : Place Lotus and other flowers at her feet as an

offering. A silver coin is placed in front of the Goddess during the

puja. Now perform Aarti with flowers in hand (Lakshmi Aarti is

sung). After Deepawali Pujan have the Prasad and go out to burst

Diwali Crackers. http://www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-puja-process.html