Traditionally, Diwali began as an important harvest festival. But, there are different legends pointing to the origin of Diwali. For some, it is the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, with Lord Vishnu. While, some believe that it is Goddess Laxmi’s birthday, as Lakshmi is said to have been born on the new-moon day of Kartik; Bengalis celebrate it to worship Kali maa who is considered as the black goddess of strength. On the other hand, few people worship Ganesha—the elephant-headed god who is also symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom on Diwali. Some worship Laxmi, Ganesha and Saraswati – Goddess of wisdom. The Jain community celebrate Diwali to worship Lord Mahavira because he attained the eternal bliss of nirvana. For devotees of Rama, he returned to his Kingdome after his 14-year-long exile and killing the demon-king Ravana. So, worshippers of Lord Rama celebrate joy and happiness. In short, Diwali is a festival of Illuminations for travelling from dark to light.

It’s a five days celebration and each day of Diwali has its own significance.

The first day of Diwali is called Dhan Teras (Dhanvantari Triodasi), and it marks the beginning of the Diwali festivities. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari is believed to have come out of the ocean with Ayurveda, the science of medicine, for the benefit of mankind. A huge amount of buying, specifically gold, silver and precious stones, ornaments, new clothes and utensils is done on this day. In Gujarat, this day is religiously held more important than the actual Deepawali day, people worship Lakshmi, Kuber (the Hindu God of riches) and Ganesha Pooja on this day.

The second day Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated to wash off sins which we create knowingly or unknowingly. On this day, you can say sorry to all those whom you have hurt, and also ask for pardon from the Gods. The most important ritual of the Naraka Chaturdashi is, people wake up early in the morning before sunrise, apply ubtan (made up of sesame oil, herbs, flowers as well as some vital elements) on their body and take holy bath which is called Abhyang Snan. This ritual signifies washing away of sins. In this way one can get relief from all past sins.

The third day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Goddess Laxmi.  It is believed that on Laxmi Puja day she is in her most generous mood to fulfil the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu who, in his dwarf’s incarnation vanquished the tyrant Bali and banished him to hell. Bali is allowed to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps and dispel darkness and ignorance while spreading the radiance of love and wisdom.

The fourth day of Diwali is celebrated as Padwa and Govardhan Puja. On this day, Govardhan Pooja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna saved people from dangerous downpour caused by God Indra. Therefore, people perform Govardhan Pooja. And, Padwa is one of the auspicious days to make beginning of any good work. It is one of the Sade Theen Muhurtha, Three and half days called Sade Teen in Marathi and Muhurat means auspicious time. They are Chaitra Shukla Paksha Padyami (Prathama) – Ugadi / Gud Padwa, Vaisaka Suhkla Paksha Tritiya – Akshaya Tritiya/Akha Teej Aaswayuja (Ashwin) Shukla Paksha Dasami – Vijaya Dasami / Dussera and the Half Muhurat is on this Diwali day Padwa, also called Bali Padyami / Bestu Varsh (Gujarati New Year).

The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhau Beej, dedicated to brother-sister relation. There is legend that Yamaraja, the Lord of Death, visited His sister – the river Yamuna on this day. He gave Yamuna a boon that whoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins; they will achieve moksha (liberation). From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to inquire about their welfare, and many faithful people bathe in the holy waters of the Yamuna River. This day is also known as Bhai Fota among Bengalis, when the sister prays for her brother’s safety, success and well being. This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations.

Wishing you all A Very Happy Diwali and a Happy New Year!!!

Abundance is a beautiful word; it gives a feeling of completeness. The Universe responds to what we are feeling. Abundance is not related only to money. It is a about feeling of contentedness with all the goodness life has offered. The word abundance encompasses health, relationships, standard of living, profession, entertainment, affection, and status. On Dhanteras Hindus thank Goddess of abundance by doing her pooja.  The festival of Dhanteras falls in the month of Kartik which usually comes in October/November.

This auspicious day is celebrated two days before the festival of lights, the Diwali. Dhanteras holds special significance for the business community due to the customary purchases of precious metals on this day. On Dhanteras, business premises are refurbished and decorated. They are cleaned up; the entrances are decorated with flowers and mango leaves garlands. They are decorated even with motifs, Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess Laxmi.  Small footprints are sketched with rangoli powder to signify her long-awaited arrival. Oil lamps are lit all through the day and night.

Dhanteras is considered very auspicious by Hindus; they purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. Some people buy large quantity of grains on this day. Gold, silver, metal, grains are considered as “Dhan” wealth and good luck among Hindus. You will hear devotional songs in praise of Goddess Lakshmi in many people’s house on Dhanteras.

Hindus also worship Lord Kuber who is believed to be the treasurer of wealth.  The meaning of the name ‘Kuber’ in Sanskrit is ‘poorly–shaped.’ I am yet to see Lord Kubera’s well shaped statue in any temple; it seems he assists the Goddess of wealth. His name is derived from ‘kumba’ which means ‘to conceal.’ You will see Lord Kubera as fat and dwarf man embedded with lot of jewelry and carrying a bag of gold coins.

On Dhanteras people worship Lakshmi and Kuber together. You will see rush in all jewellery and utensil shops on this day. People wear new clothes, ornaments, perfume as they light the first day of Diwali lamps.

The business community gambles on this day. It is considered lucky and auspicious to play cards on Dhanteras as well as Laxmi Puja. Men and women flock to clubs and friend’s houses to play cards.  It is believed that on playing cards, the goddess of wealth smiles upon the player and ensures her goodwill. Well, the winners can enjoy the windfall and the losers can wait for the next Diwali to come around! It is a festival of gaiety and prosperity. It is also believed by some people that losers are in for some good news. So many players relax and take the game lightly – for the sake of losing!

Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali. And, Diwali is a festival of abundance. The festival of Diwali or Deepavali symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The Sanskrit word “Deepavali” means “an assortment of lights.” The lights signify the conquest of brightness over darkness. It is festival to cheer, new beginning, and gathering, giving and receiving.  India is a spiritually oriented country. Spirituality lies in the ethnicity of this country. Therefore, festivity is a part and parcel of Indians. The varieties of festivals are directly linked to its cultural heritage.

Diwali is a festival of abundance; galore of sweets, lights, clothes and gifts.  It is about giving and receiving. We give gifts to our neighbors, friends and relatives to make this festival more special.  Gifts are a great way to express your feelings, love and appreciation. A gift says thousand things without speaking and is a binder in any relationship. Everyone loves to receive gifts from the person they like or love. At the same time, you would also like to express your feelings with the help of this gifts giving custom. Yes, you would agree on that it has become customary to give presents to your near and dear ones on any special occasion or just to make any day an occasion that they would remember when look at that gift.

Friends, abundance begins in the mind. Cultivate the belief of abundance in your life by enjoying each day. Abundance is a feeling of warmth; it is about enjoying each day with your family, each one’s small or big accomplishments, good food, good music, travelling, pursuing your hobby, and entertainment. Abundance is seeing a seedling grow; sprouting of flowers, soaking in rains, soaking in sunlight on a cold day. It is simply a feeling of fulfillment, of being filled with goodness. No matter what you are doing and where you are learn to nurture the feeling of abundance.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS DIWALI!!!

The festival is celebrated to enjoy the triumphant return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, after his voluntary exile of 14 years. The people of Ayodhya welcomed Rama by illuminating the capital with lights. Lord Rama is said to have governed for a long time during which the people were happy and contented. This festival is also celebrated as Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakaasura; the demon’s mother, Mother Earth, requested that the occasion be celebrated as one of euphoria. Lord Krishna agreed to her wishes and, since then, the celebration has continued with lights, crackers, sweets and festivity.

Diwali brings the light of happiness, togetherness, spiritual enlightenment and prosperity for one and all. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, bravery and fame. Crackers are burnt because their sounds kill bad-omens. The festival of Diwali fills the air with a sensation of goodness and a blissful atmosphere. The reality is that this festival denotes festivity to life….it signifies that life is nothing but a festival, because when you are unhappy, you also throw unhappiness all around and when you are happy you spread happiness all around.

People express their cheerfulness by lighting earthen lamps (diyas), people wear new clothes, share sweets, decorate the houses, burst firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their homes for participating in their happiness.

The celebration is about fear, anger, jealousy accumulated in your mind in the last one year should get suspended, should get washed away. Hence, people make new resolutions and new beginnings on the eve of Diwali.

Let us pray to the Goddess Laxmi to lead us from untruth to truth, from darkness to light and from death to immortality!!!