Five Day Festival- Diwali Legends

Posted on August 13, 2007 in Diwali In Hinduism

Diwali: Legends and Celebrations

Diwali or the ‘Festival of Lights’ is the most popular of all Hindu festivals and the festivities continue for a period of five days.


The First day is referred to as Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi which is observed on the thirteenth day of the month of Kartik. The word “Dhan” denotes wealth and hence this day of the five-day Diwali festival has special significance for the wealthy business community of Western India. Residential as well as business premises are refurbished and adorned.


Exquisite traditional motifs of Rangoli designs are used to decorate the entrances of households as well as business houses to greet Lakshmi, the Goddess of riches and opulence. To signify her long-anticipated arrival, small footprints are made with rice flour together with vermilion powder in almost every part of the house and lamps are lit as part of a ritual to welcome the goddess.


The second day of diwali is known as Narka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali which is observed on the fourteenth day of the month of Kartik.


The third day of Diwali is the most significant day for Lakshmi Puja and is completely dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. This day is also referred to as the day of “Chopada-Puja”.


The fourth day of Diwali is known as Padwa or Varshapratipada and is observed in commemoration of King Vikramaditya’s coronation and Vikaram-Samvat was initiated from this Padwa day.


The fifth day of Diwali is called “Bhayya-Duj” and is a ceremony in which sisters pray for the well-being of their brothers.


Legends

The origin of Diwali is deeply rooted in Hindu legends. According to one such Legend Diwali is the commemoration of Lord Rama’s return to kingdom after his 14 year exile.


Lord Rama who was a distinguished warrior King was banished from the kingdom by his father Dashratha, the King of Ayodhya after being provoked by his wife to do so. Rama’s wife’s Sita along with his younger brother Lakshman, accompanied him in his exile. After vanquishing the demon Ravana, Lord Rama returned to his kingdom in Ayodhya at the end of his 14 years of exile. The victory of Lord Rama over Ravana signified the triumph of good over evil and people welcomed him back home by lighting rows of clay lamps and since then Diwali is celebrated to mark the triumph of good over evil.


According to Hindu mythology Diwali is celebrated to mark the triumph of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu over the demon Narkasura, who unleashed great misery amidst the people of the world. Narkasura who was a demon of filth abducted beautiful young women and compelled them to live with him.


According to another legend Diwali acts as a reminder to the Hindus of the significance of food.


According to folklore many years ago in the village of Gokula, the people paid their reverence to God Indra believing that it was Indra who sent the rains which made their crops luxuriant.


However Krishna insisted that the people should worship the mountain Govardhan, since the mountain and the adjoining land were fertile. This infuriated Indra who sent thunder and heavy rain down on the village. The people sought Krishna’s help. Krishna came to the aid of the villagers by lifting the top of the mountain with his finger.

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