Deepawali - Festival of Lights

Deepawali - Festival of Lights

India is a Country of Festivals, where there will be one or other Festival celebrated by people throughout the year.

Deepawali, also pronounced as Diwali, is the Festival of Lights.

 

Deepawali Festival is the Biggest Festival which is Celebrated not only All Over the India, but in Some Other Countries also.

 

The word Deepawali is derived from 2 words - ‘Deep’ (means Lamp) and “Awali” (means Light).

 

On this Festival, people lit Lamps all over their Home and also burn Crackers.

The first day is called as Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi, also called as 

Narak Chaturdashi.

 

“Naraka” was a Demon King, son of Bhuma Devi (or Bhu Devi) otherwise known as Mother Earth. He did a severe penance (Thapas or Prayers) towards Lord Brahma and got his wish fulfilled, that he should be killed only by his mother.

 

He was sure that no mother will kill her own son. So, he cruelly tortured all living beings, with his immense power. The unbearable saints pleaded Lord Vishnu to save them from the tyranny of the Demon.

 

Lord Vishnu blessed them that he will kill Naraka during his Avatar as Lord Krishna.

 

During the Krishna Avatar, Bhu-Devi was in the Avatar of Satya Bhama, wife of Lord Krishna.

 

Lord Krishna went for a war with Naraka, having his wife Satya Bhama as his Charioteer.

 

During the war, Lord Krishna acted as if he got hurt by the arrows of Naraka and acted as fainted.

 

By seeing this, Satya Bhama, who was not aware of her Poorva-Janma (the Previous Birth), got angry and took her Bow and aimed Arrows at Naraka.

Being the mother of Naraka, she was able to kill him. The Demon King’s live got ended in the hands of his own mother.

 

Before dying, Naraka prayed Lord Krishna and asked for a Wish that people should celebrate his death as a Festival and should not forget him. Lord Krishna gave him Gyaana (Good Knowledge) and blessed him.

 

This is how the Festival Deepawali origined.

 

It is also said as a Festival to remove Darkness from your Heart, by lighting Lamps of Knowledge.

 

The 2nd day is Amavasya, the No-Moon-Day.

This day, people perform Lakshmi Pooja and offer prayers towards Goddess Lakshmi, who is the Goddess of Wealth.

 

 It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi would be in her Benevolent Mood on this day and She fulfills the wishes of Her Devotees.

 

 

3rd day is “Kartika Shudda Padyami.” This day is associated with a story that this day Lord Vishnu taught a lesson to a Demon King - Bali, but later blessed him because of his Good Qualities.

 

 

On this day (Kartika Shudda Padyami), it is believed that Bali would come out of Pataal-Lok (Under World) and rule Bhu-Lok (Earth) as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as “Bali Padyami”.

 

 

4th day is referred to as “Yam Dvitiya or Bhaayi Dooj” 

On this day, Sisters invite their Brothers to their Homes and serve them with Special Dishes and do Poojas for their Welfare.

 

 

In northern parts of India, Deepawali is celebrated as the Festival to mark return of Lord Ram along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman from his 14 years of exile after killing the Demon King Ravan. 

 

 

To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his people illuminated the entire Kingdom with Beautiful Lamps and burst Crackers.

 

 

For the Gujaratis, Marwaris and for other Business Community People, Deepawali marks the Day for Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and also the beginning of the New Financial Year.

 

 

For Bengalis, Deepawali is the time to worship Goddess Kali or Durga, who killed the demon Mahishasura, which gave Goddess Durga another name as “Mahishasur-Mardini”.

 

 

Whatever the stories associated, Deepawali is a reason for Family get together in most of the Families. 

 

 

It is a reason for Youngers to enjoy Wearing New Dresses and Bursting Crackers.

 

 

It is a reason for Elders to enjoy New Dishes & Sweets and blessing their Younger Generation.

 

Deepawali is a Festival of Joy. Enjoy and Make Fun.

 

 

May God Shower All His Blessings On You