Deepavali

Deepavali is a 3-day festival in South India, and in north india it is celebrated for 5 days, with each day having its own religious significance.

1) Dhan-trayodashi - the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month. It is an auspicious day for shopping, and it is the beginning of the festivities. After a thorough cleaning houses are decorated with colorful rangoli, and the first day of Deepavali.

2) Naraka Chaturdasi - Lord Krishna is said to have killed the demon Narakasura, on this day. The family members awake at Brahma Muhurtham (4 a.m) and starts taking oil bath one by one, and everyone finishes before the sunrise.Then prayers are offered for destruction of sins and evils, bursting crackers.

3) Amavasya - Third day of Deepavali, the darkest day of the year. After having an oil bath, the family members worship Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. The houses are adorned with diyas (deepas) to welcome Goddess Lakshmi in. Business people worship Goddess Lakshmi, their account books and cash boxes.

4) Balipadyami - Lord Vishnu, in the form of Vamana, stamped Asura King Bali and sent him to netherworld. His request to see his people once a year was sanctioned. This day is celebrated as his annual visiting day. It is believed that purchases made on this day brings prosperity. In Karnataka, holige (a sweet dish) is made as a customary dish. On this day, the employers distribute sweets and gifts to their employees, as a part of their Diwali celebration.

5) Bhayiduj or Yamadvitiya - It is a significant festive day for the married sisters to meet their brothers.

It is believed that River goddess Yamuna invited her brother Lord Yama on this day for dinner and also offered him sweets, and he then blessed all brothers who eat at their sister's house on this day.

Deepavali Rituals and Celebration

Diwali is a unique confluence of happiness, bliss and prosperity.In Southern India, Naraka Chaturdashi is very important, and burst firecrackers at dawn. Deepavali celebration in Tamil Nadu is to commemmorate the killing of Narakasura, the demon king, by Lord Krishna. In Karnataka it is called as Bali Paadyami to mark the annual vist of King Bali to see his people. For some, Diwali celebration is the joyous return of Lord Rama, to his kingdom, after a long 14 years of exile. They also consider this occasion as the Festival of Wealth and Prosperity. In South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, people greet each other by asking "Have you performed your Ganga Snaanam?".

In some parts, they believe that departed souls return during this time. As a mark of respect to them, their favorite foods are prepared and placed on banana leaves before photographs of the departed, and offer prayers to them.

People of India celebrate Deepavali in different ways. Some celebrate it with great excitement and enthusiasm, buying many gifts, sweets and gold ornaments, for their dear ones, bursting crackers, lighting diyas and sparkles in their houses. For some others, it is a time for doing good things for the humankind. They celebrate it with orphans and the less fortunates, by giving them good food, sweets, dresses, crackers and sparklers, bringing some smiles on their faces. Some of them even forego their new dresses for Deepavali, and other enjoyment, to help the less fortunates on this important day.

In the nights of this Festival of Lights, the cities and villages of India will be illuminated with colorful electrical bulbs, diyas , sparklers, and flaming lights of fireworks, creating kaleidoscopic designs,and it is beautiful to see the colorful India in her festive mood.