Diwali explanations

DIWALI

The Hindu festival of Diwali is celebrated for five days, celebrating 5 main events. According to the luni-solar Hindu Calendar. It begins in late in the month called 'Ashwin' (usually between September and October, sometimes stretching into early November, as it was in 2013) and ends in early in the month of 'Kartik.'
The first day major event is Dhan Teras. The last day is Yama Dvitiya, which signifies the second day of the bright-half of the month 'Kartik.' Usually each day of Diwali marks one celebration of the five principal stories associated with the festival.

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdashi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, Lakshmi Puja (Prayer), the Goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the Bali, and banished him to Patala. It is on the fourth day of Deepawali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to 'patala' (hell) and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

Diwali Day 1: Vasu Baras- Baras means 12th day of the Ashwin month and vasu means cow. The cow and calf are worshipped on Vasu Baras. This event is not taken into account while calculating the '5-day Diwali'

Diwali Day 2: Dhanteras- Dhanvantari- an incarnation of the God of health and welfare: Vishnu, is worshipped. Many consider this to be the first day of the Diwali festival. During this day people buy new clothes, new vessels, gold and silver etc. because this is the day that Dhanvantari came from the sea during Samudra Manthan.

Diwali Day 3: Naraka Chaturdashi- This signifies the fourteenth day of the dark half of Ashwin month, on which demon Narakasura was killed by god Krishna (the god Vishnu's incarnation. Naraka Chaturdashi signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. In much of Southern India this is the main day of the festival. The are many traditions such as taking a bath before sunrise, which it is believed that when the stars are still visible in the sky a bath is equivalent to bathing in the holy Ganges. New clothes are worn and candles and lamps are used as well as large fireworks displays. Firecrackers are believed to repel the demons. falls on the second day of the festival of Diwali.

Kali means Dark (evil) and Chaudas - Fourteenth. Thus, celebrated on the 14th day of the dark half of Āshwin month, Kali Chaudas is the day allotted to the worship of Maha-Kali or Shakti and is believed that on this day Kali killed the wickedest Narakasura. Narak Chaturdashi andKali Chaudas is day to abolish laziness and evil which create hell in our life and shine light on life.

Day 4: Diwali Day- Celebrated on Kartik Amavasya. Lakshmi Puja- This is the most important day of Diwali celebrations in Northern India. Homes worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, Ganesh the God of auspicious beginnings and then light lamps all across the streets and homes so as to welcome prosperity and well-being. The third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of Lakshmi-puja and is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi. On this very day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale. Hence, this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. Despite the fact that this day falls on an amavasya day it is regarded as the most auspicious. Due to this system being based on the luni-solar calendar, sometimes there is overlapping of dates and events, as this years Kalnirnay will show that Lakshmi Puja and Naraka Chaturdashi will be on the same day, though seperated by hours.

Diwali Day 5: Bali Pratipada and Govardhan Puja/Govardhan Puja/Annakut- This is celebrated as the day Krishna - an incarnation of god Vishnu defeated the god Indra and by the lifting of Govardhana Hill saved his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods. Also known as Diwali Padwa, this also is celebrated as a New Year amongst many communities,eg- the Gujaratis, leading into the new Year of the Vikram Samvat Calendar followed in Western India.

Diwali Day 6: Bhaiduj/Bhayyaduj/Bhaubeej/Bhayitika This is a day for families across India and other Hindu areas to meet and rejoice in life. This is the second day of the bright fortnight or Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month of Kartik. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and happy lives by performing the Teeka ceremony, and brothers make gifts to their sisters.

The explanations and meanings are derived and written as per my understanding of the system. I could be off, way off, and of course I could be right. Please speak to your mythology mentor before embarking on any religion based event.

NOTE:

I found websites that had short and long information on one or the other events. I satt down to collate this information, on the urging of a friend at work. I must thank him for the persistent questioning. Thanks, SZK. Here in a effort for kids, adults, friends near and far to follow this major Hindu religious festival. I hope you would have some or a better idea of what this is about after reading this write up.

As usual I do thank the internet to have brought information to my workstation, and to have brought light- in the sense of knowledge to me and others. Should you forward,  forward with credit.

Regards.

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