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Deep ā vali Tamaso Mā Jyotirgamaya Deepāvali Also known as Diw ā li Literal meaning, a row of lamps One of the biggest festival of Hindus Celebrated all over India In Kenya, Thailand, Trinidad and in many more countries The festival of Lights Celebrated for 5 days
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Deepāvali Tamaso Mā Jyotirgamaya
Deepāvali • Also known as Diwāli • Literal meaning, a row of lamps • One of the biggest festival of Hindus • Celebrated all over India • In Kenya, Thailand, Trinidad and in many more countries
The festival of Lights • Celebrated for 5 days • Customs vary but lighting lamps is common • Fireworks, Rangoli, Lamps • Lights, Sparkles, Glitters!
Dhana-trayodashi • Dhanteras, Yama Deepdān • 13th day of Kārtika month • Houses, business premises decorated • Auspicious to buy gold, silver, new utensils • Lamps lit and kept burning all night • Cattles adorned and worshipped in villages
Dhana-trayodashi - Stories • Son of King Hima, as per horoscope, was doomed to die on this night • His wife did not allow him to sleep • She kept all ornaments, gold, silver at the entrance of the room • Yama, God of death, gets blinded by the dazzle of brilliant lights and leaves • Hence, the tradition of buying gold and the name Yama Deepdān
Narak-chaturdashi • Chhoti Diwāli, or little Diwāli • Falls on 14th day of Kārtika month • Tradition is to get very early and have an oil bath before the sunrise • Earthen lamps are lit
Narak-chaturdashi - Stories • Narakāsur, the demon king of Prāgjyotishpur, was killed by Lord Krishna • After defeating the demon, Krishna returned early in the morning and had scented oil bath • King Bali was pushed to pātāl, or nether regions, by Vāmanāvatār
Lakshmi Pujā • Diwāli, Kaumudi Mahotsam • Amāvasyā, or no moon night • Day of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth • Millions of lamps lit • Amāvasyā becomes brighter than Poornimā, or full moon night
Lakshmi Pujā - Stories • Lot of stories associated with this day • Lord Rāma return to Ayodhyā after defeating Rāvana • Lord Krishna delivers knowledge of Gitā to Arjuna • Lord Krishna also attains “nirvāna” this day • Nachiketa attains knowledge from Yama and returns back to earth
Bali Padya • Pādwa, Varsha Pratipadā, Govardhan Pujā, Annakoot • In northern part of India, the hill of Govardhan is worshipped • Annakoot, meaning “mountain of food”, is observed for all deities • Variety of sweets are made and shared among all
Bali Padya - Stories • Vikramāditya the great, held his coronation and started a hindu calendar, vikram samvat • Lord Krishna, uprooted Govardhan hill and held it up to save residents of Gokul from rains • Bali came back from pātāl and given boon to return from nether regions once a year
Bhāi Dooj • Bhāv Beej, Bhāi Tika, Yama Dwiteeyā • Sisters put tilak on forehead of brothers and wish for their success • Originates from the legend that Yama went to see his sister Yami on this day • Yama announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister this day, will never suffer
More on Diwāli • Sikh also celebrate Diwāli to commemorate return of 6th Guru, Guru Hargobind from captivity • Lord Mahāvir, who established Jainism, obtained nirvāna on this day
Significance of Diwāli • Celebration of rise of knowledge • Celebration of victory of dharma • Occasion for self-enlightment • Prosperity, peace, and progress for all