HOW TO CELEBRATE TO MAHA DIWALI

Deepawali
is the combination of two Sanskrit words. Deep meaning light and Awali meaning
rows. When they merge we get one word Deepawali meaning rows of lights.It was
from then on that the words Diwali and Deepawali became synonymous.

Diwali the Hindu festival of lights is celebrated with the
performance of Lakshme Pooja(worship unto the Goddess of light,wealth,and
prosperity) and at night time, thousands of earthen lamps called Deeyas are lit
to dispell darkness.The festival honors the Hindu goddess Laksmi, the goddess of
fortune, good luck, riches and generosity. She will visit every home during the
festival. Diwali also celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

The date of this holiday varies each year according to the Hindu
calendar. It is held on the 14th day of the dark half of Aashwayuja to the 2nd
day of the bright half of Kaartik, which falls in October or November in the
Gregorian calendar. The celebration comes just as the monsoon season ends and
the weather is calm and mild.

Diwali celebrated after the return of Lord Rama from exile
was universal in nature.It is said that Lord Rama returned home on Diwali night
after fourteen years of exile in the forest.The city of Ayodhya appeared to be a
garden of light during that night as everyone went out to meet and greet Him in
the traditionally ceremonial manner.As the inhabitants came out of their homes
with their lighted deeyas to greet Lord Rama,it created a spectacle with rows of
lights as far as the eyes could see.This gave birth to the word
Deepawali,meaning rows of lights.

The story about Diwali which regards to the origins of Diwali.

This the day on which Lord Krishna destroyed Narakasur.The victory
of Lord Krishna over the evil demon, Naraksura is the triumph of good over evil
and therefore the day is celebrated enthusiastically.

In the Adi Parva of the Mahabarat(one of the great Hindu epics),
the Pandavas(a class of noble men) returned from the forest during Diwali
time.Once more, the celebrations extended beyond the boundaries of India to
wherever Hindus lived.

All of these reasons contribute to the universal celebration of
Diwali as it is today, be it in India or any other country where Hindus reside.



The 5 days of Diwali.....

Diwali the festival of lights is observed in the month of
Kartik(October-November) on the night of the New Moon.This night happens to be
the darkest night of the year.This festival of Diwali is a 5 day celebration
with Diwali day being the most important of the five days.Weeks before these
five days, Hindus observe fasting, they clean themselves, their homes and its
surroundings in preparation for Lakshme Pooja(worshiping of the Goddess of
light, wealth and prosperity).

The first day of Diwali.....

The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or
Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras.It is in fact the thirteenth lunar
day of Krishna Paksh (the dark forthnight) of the month of Kartik. On this day,
Lord Dhanvantri came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic medicine (medicine which
promotes healthy long life) for mankind.

This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day
at sunset,Hindus should bathe and offer a lighted deeya with Prasad (sweets
offered at worship time) to Yama Raj (the Lord of Death) and pray for protection
from untimely death.

This offering should be made near a Tulsie tree(the Holy Basil) or
any other sacred tree that one might have in their yard. If there is no sacred
tree, a clean place in the front yard will suffice.

On this day,Pandits, Sadhoos,and Hindus in general, perform
Hawan(a fire ritual) and Jap(the chanting of special Mantras or prayers) for
good health and strenght during the forthcoming year.

The second day of Diwali.....

This day the houses are cleaned and fresh flowers are placed all around to adorn
the home. A rangoli is drawn at the entrance of the home. Rangoli's are
intricate designs drawn with a mixture of rice flour and water. They are created
for all special occasion but during Diwali they are filled in with bright
colors. At night, brilliant firework displays take place sometimes lasting for
hours. Cites by rivers float little boats with lighted candles on the water.A
dipa is placed on every windowsill and on the steps of outside stairways.

The third day of Diwali.....Diwali itself.....

This is the day when worship unto Mother Lakshme is performed
throughout India.The day of anticipation has finally arrived. Traditionally the
day starts with an oil bath. New clothes are worn and the doorways are sprinkled
with clean water. This day of the festival includes a breakfast that has
different dishes.

Prayers are said either at the temple or at home. Friends and
families visit each other and partake of various sweets.

Hindus themselves and join with their families and their Pandit
(priest) worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi,Lord Kuber And Lord Bharaiva to
achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil
and light over darkness.

This phenomenon of good over evil has attracted peoples from the
many races and they all join with the Hindu community in celebrating Diwali,the
festival of lights.

And above all.....

On this day Mother Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk
called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with Her wealth and prosperity for
mankind.On that day,Lakshme Pooja was performed to honour Her and as such, every
year on Diwali day, Hindus perform Her prayer and worship.In northern part of
India, on Diwali day, Hindus invite the Pandit (a Hindu priest) to their home
and they perform Lakshme Pooja in grand style.The making and distribution of
various sweets and total vegetarian foods are the order of the day.They give
charity to the poor and gifts to the Brahmins (the priestly class of
people).This practice is alive and well to this very day.

The fourth day of Diwali.....

On this day, Goverdhan Pooja is performed.Many thousands of years
ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Goverdhan Pooja.From
then on, every year Hindus worship Goverdhan to honour that first Pooja done by
the people of Vraja.

Itis written in the Ramayan (a text recording the exploits of Lord
Rama), that when the bridge was being built by the Vanar army,Hanuman (a divine
loyal servant of Lord Rama possesing enormous strength) was bringing a mountain
as material to help with the construction of the bridge. The call was given that
enough materials was already obtained.Hanuman placed the mountain down before He
could have reached the construction site.Due to lack of time,He could not have
returned the mountain to its original place.

The diety presiding over this mountain spoke to Hanuman asking of
His reason for leaving the mountain there.Hanuman replied that the mountain
should remain there until the age of Dwapar when Shree Rama (Lord Rama)
incarnates as Lord Krishna in the form of man. He, Lord Krishna will shower His
grace on the mountain and will instruct that the mountain be worshiped not only
in that age but but in ages to come.This diety whom Hanuman spoke to was none
other than Goverdhan (an incarnation of Lord Krishna),who manifested Himself in
the form of the mountain.

To fulfill this decree, Goverdhan Pooja was performed and is
continued to be performed today.

The fifth day of Diwali.....

The second day of the bright forthnight (Shukla Paksh) of Kartik
is called Bhratri Dooj. This is the day after Goverdhan Pooja is performed and
normally two days after Diwali day.

It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha
Bandhan (brothers day). Well this is sisters day.

Many moons ago,in the Vedic era,Yama(Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited His
sister Yamuna on this day.He gave his sister a Vardhan(a boon) that whosoever
visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will achieve
Moksha or final emancipation.

From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire
of their welfare.

This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations.

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