Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival that is celebrated in autumn every year. It is the grandest and the most popular festivals of India. It is called festival of lights. The exact day of Diwali is the New Moon day in the month of Karthik (Mid Oct – Mid Nov). Diwali means rows of lamps and lighting lamps signifies removal of sorrow, conflict and darkness from our lives. It is a day that symbolizes reconciliation between the past and the present, past years misfortunes are wiped off with a new light within our hearts and start of a new beginning.
Prayers to Ancestors – Ancestral Blessings
Sacred Texts say that Diwali is a festival to commemorate the ancestors in the ancestral realms. Vedic people believed lighting Akhand lamps or lamps towards the sky on the day of Diwali would light up the dark paths of our ancestors on their way to Pitru lokas and this would help our ancestors to ascend to the ancestral world easily. The lighting of oil lamps on Diwali invites many blessings to our family when ancestors are pleased.
Lighting of lamps – Attraction of Good Auspicious Vibrations
Deep means flame of a wick soaked in oil. On the eve of Diwali and during the days of Diwali celebration lamps have to be lit in rows both inside and outside of houses. This radiates auspiciousness, joy and enthusiasm. Hindu sacred texts say that those who not light lamps on the days of Diwali remain in spiritual darkness.
Offering lamps attracts Lakshmi. She should be invited and made to perpetually inhabit in houses by lighting lamps, decorating our homes and celebrating Diwali with enthusiasm. This helps to maintain peace, prosperity in the family. Many homes are white washed and decorated with lamps during this festival.
Worship of Goddess Lakshmi –Lakshmi Pooja – Blessings of Wealth
Goddess Lakshmi, symbol of wealth and abundance is revered on this day for material and spiritual blessings. She represents health, wealth, happiness, courage, comforts, fertility, victory, harmony, beauty, joy and enlightenment. It is believed that on the third day of the festival at midnight she wanders around the Earth on her owl looking for clean and well- lit homes where she is worshiped to reside there and give her blessings. Many clean their houses and light lamps at night and worship her with offerings to invite her into their homes.
Austerity of sasti –Prayer for Harmonious Marital Life
According to Skanda Purana, Goddess Parvati observed 21 days of fast from the eighth day of waxing Moon till the day of Diwali to get the left half of Lord Shiva. The vrat ends on the day of Diwali and it is called Kedhara Gauri Vrat. Unmarried girls and married women observe this vrat to get a suitable match and for longevity of husbands. Diwali is the day when Lord Shiva accepted Shakti as his left half of his body as Ardhanarishwara. The day signifies auspiciousness and prayers to Goddess helps us gain a good and happy married life.
Abhyang Snan – Removal of Sins
Abhyang Snan or Holy bath on the day of diwali is considered sacred. It is the early morning bath before sunrise on the day of Diwali. This ritual cleanses us from sins and purifies the body of impurities. It is taken on the day of Narakachaturdasi and on Diwali. It celebrates the victory of truth over evil. Early morning bath before sunrise on this day is auspicious. It is believed that the Ganges resides in the water and Mahalakshmi in the sesame oil on the days of Diwali. Oil should be applied on the head and bath must be taken before sunrise in warm water. This bath removes bad luck and washes away sins. New clothes must be worn after the bath. It is popularly called Ganga Snan.
Herald of New Year – Blessings of Prosperity – Celebration of Life
Indian business communities start their financial year of accounting. This day the businesses close their old accounting books and start the new commercial year especially the Gujarat business community. New Year is welcomed by prayers to lord Ganesha, Saraswati and Lakshmi. It is a time to start a new business, new renovations, clear old debts, forgive mistakes of business acquaintances.
Exchange of gifts to friends and relatives, business associates make this day a day of caring and sharing. Sharing is an important attribute of this festival. Food, sweets, firecrackers, is shared with one another and people enjoy this festivity with full exuberance and gaiety each year with renewed hope and vigor.For More information about diwali
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