5 Days of Diwali
Naraka Chaturdashi
Lakashmi Pujan
Bali Pratipada / Padva / Govardahn Puja
Bhaubij
DHANTRYAODASHI
The first day of Diwali is called Dhanteras. The word 'Dhanteras' -'dhan' wealth and 'teras' the 13th day on which wealth in the form of coins is worshipped. Before Dhantrayodashi people clean their houses from top to bottom and make beautiful designs on the ground called "rangoli".
The women prepare holiday sweets and savory foods. Believing this day to be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. The houses are usually cleaned, washed and maybe even painted. On this day, the children are taken out to buy crackers.
Lakshmi puja is performed in the evening. Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is said to visit everyone during all the days of Diwali. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry whole coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.
NARKA CHATURDASHI
Choti Diwali or Chaturdashi. It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. On this day it is traditional to wake up early and perform the bathing ritual. A paste of gram flour, turmeric, uthana, oil and almond paste is rubbed on to the weary arms, legs and body of the women
The Story
Narakasur was a wicked king. His ambition was that no one should ever defeat him. So he turned his capital into a fortress. When Krishna heard about the wicked deeds of Narakasur he decided to destroy him. But Satyabhama, Krishna's wife, took this task upon herself. Krishna would only be her helper. In the early hours of the 14th day of the dark half of Ashvin, Satyabhama killed Narakasur and liberated the women from his prison. They went home and expressed their joy by lighting lamps. On this occasion we are reminded of the struggle between good and evil.
LAKSHMI PUJAN
The new moon night, "amavasya", of Ashvin, is a big celebration, known as Laxmi Pujan. On this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with her, wealth and prosperity for mankind.
The New Year is ushered in with a special pooja dedicated to Lakshmi. The new business year begins for north Indians. One of the most curious customs which characterizes this festival of Diwali is the indulgence of gambling, specially on a large scale in North India. It is believed that goddess Parvati played dice with her husband, Lord Shiva on this day and she decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuring year. This tradition of playing cards- flush and rummy with stakes on this particular day continues even to-day.
Shopkeepers and merchants worship their account books and their merchandise, during a ceremony known as 'Chopda Poojan', worship of the books. Lakshmi is revered for she can bring prosperity in the new year. People light firecrackers. On the dark new moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. This is also a time when the new business year begins it is said that Diwali is the "Time to shop or start new ventures".
The story
King Bali had taken Laxmi as a slave. Vishnu, in his fifth avatar as Vaman, defeated Bali and liberated Laxmi. On this day the liberation of Laxmi is celebrated by worshipping Laxmi. On this day goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with her wealth and prosperity for mankind.
On that day, Lakshmi Pooja was performed to honor her and worship her. The making and distribution of various sweets and total vegetarian foods are the order of the day. This practice is alive and well to this very day.
BALI PRATIPADA
The first day of the month Kartik is a full "muhurta", or auspicious day. This is New Year's Day for merchants.
The Story
The legend related to this day is about the King Bali of the nether world that mighty power had become a threat to the gods. In order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a small boy visited him and begged him to give him only that much land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for his philanthropy King Bali proudly granted him his wish. So with his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth and asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head and putting his foot on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. But for his generosity Lord Vishnu allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.
Lord Vishnu was satisfied promised him that on the first Pratipada of Kartik people would remember him. So on this day some people take the name of Bali, they worship his picture together with that of his wife, Vindhyavati, and waving the lamp before the picture or idol they sing, "Ida Pida javo, Balitse rajya yevo." ("Let suffering go and let Bali's kingdom come.")
PADWA
The Fourth day is also called Padwa or Varsha Pratipada that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day.
GOVARRDHAN PUJA
Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. As per Vishnu-Puran, the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honor of Lord Indra and worshipped him after the end of every monsoon season. But one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. But Krishna saved his Gokul by lifting up the Govardhan Mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella. This day is also observed as Annakoot and prayers are offered in the temples.
BHAUBIJ
This day is a special day for brothers. Sisters usually do the puja, before the brothers leave for their places of study or work. The "aarti" is performed by waving the lamp in front of their brothers and then applying the "tilak". She also offers a plate of 5 fruits to hi. Usually the fruits are a coconut, apples, bananas, pears, and oranges. Brothers usually offer generous gifts or money to their sisters. This ceremony also takes place between cousins.
The story
Many years ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited his sister Yamuna (Yami) and she put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, they ate talked and enjoyed together and exchanged special gifts as a token of their love for each other and Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister on this day will never be taken away.
Since then it became a tradition for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaiyaduj or Bhaubieej.
TRADITIONAL DIWALI FARAL (DIWALI FOODS)
With the traditional Puja which is performed after sunset in all the homes five pieces of ghee diyas (lamps) are lit in front of the deities, Naivedya or offering of traditional sweets is offered to the Gods.
Foods made during this festival (not all links active)
Kheer
Kanola
Mootichur Ladoo
Rawa Ladoo
Besan Ladoo
Nankhatai
Mathia
Shankarpare
Karanji
Chivda
Chakli
Ras Malai
Jalebis
Kalakand
Malpuda
Dal Halwa
Sohan papdi
Rasgulla
Balu Shahi
Kaju Burfi
Coconut Burfi
Gulab Jamun
HOW IS DIWALI CELEBRATED
Diwali is a time of holiday feasting and family visits, Hindus spend the day visiting friends and family and exchanging gifts and sweets. This festival resembles Christmas here in the US. Children definitely expect gifts at this time.
Stores, shops and open markets are gaily decorated and lit up. Everybody adorns new and bright clothes, especially the women who wear their best jewelry. The preparations for Diwali begin well in advance. They start cleaning and decorating their homes. They prepare what is called as Diwali Faral or the traditional Indian sweets and savory snacks. Like Chivda, Kanola, Chakli, Mathia. Nowadays many of these traditional items are founf in the gourmet grocery stores in India.
They also light up their homes with colorful lights. The most common lights used are the string of outdoor lights - especially the bigger bulb - string of lights. They place these on their balconies as most of the people live in tall apartment complexes called - flats. You will also see Diwali Kandils in the balconies.
Diwali is a time to buy new clothes & also purchase gorgeous gold and silver jewelry.
In the small villages cattle are worshipped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In the south of India cows are offered special Diwali sweets as they are regarded as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshipped on this day.
