The Stories Of Diwali

Hi Friends, I wish you all happy and prosperous diwali. I would like to share what is diwali and why it is celebrated.

 

Diwali

            Diwali is “Festival of lights” celebrated at the new moon night to indicate the victory of good over evil. Peoples decorate their homes with earthernware lamps called “diyas” where diwali means “Row of lamps”. They wear new clothes, meet friends and relatives, exchange sweets and gifts, decorate homes with rangoli, lamps and set off fireworks.

The five days of diwali

First day

            The first day of diwali is “Dhanteras”. It is celebrated two days before diwali. This is an auspicious day that celebrated on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight. Dhan -  Wealth and Teras – thirteen. Basically people celebrate this to welcome the goddess “Lakshmi” who is the lord of wealth and lamp lights throughout the night to seek prosperity. The lord “Yama” , god of death is worshipped on this day to gain health and long life.

Story behind dhanteras

            The son of king hima was predicted to die on the fourth night after his marriage due to snake bite. On that particular day, his wife placed all her ornaments, lots of gold and silver coins in a heap at the entrance and lits more lamps all over the place so that there is no darkness in any place. She narrated stories and sang songs to keep her husband from falling asleep.

     The lord “Yama” arrived at the prince’s place as serpent to bite him, but his eyes were dazzled and blinded by the glitters of ornaments and the lights of lamp. So he could not enter into the prince’s place. So yama climbed on the heap of gold coins and sat there listening to the stories and songs sung by prince’s wife whole night. As the night was over yama went away silently and the prince was saved by the intelligence of his wife. To remind this event on the day of dhanteras people lit lamps on night and buy gold or silver.

Second day

            The second day of diwali is “Naraka chaturdasi”. On this day, lord Krishna killed the demon narakasura and rescued 16000 princess who were captured by narakasura. The day of victory of good over evil is celebrated as “Choti diwali”.

Third day

            This is the day of actual diwali. Lakshmi pooja, the worship of lord lakshmi to acquire wealth is conducted on this day. This is also the day of lord Rama, sita and lakshman return to ayodhya after 14 years from forest, having successfully rescued sita from demon ravan and defeated him.

            On this day king Bali was defeated by lord Vishnu in his dwarf incarnation and banished him to hell. On this day Bali was allowed to come to earth once in a year to light millions of lamps to eliminate darkness and spread wisdom.

Fourth day

            This is the day after diwali and called “Annakuta” or “Govardhan pooja”. This is used to hold a festival to honor lord “Indra”, the demigod responsible for providing rain for successful harvest.

Fifth day

            This day is referred as “Yama dvitya” and also known as “Bhai dhooj”. This day is dedicated to sisters. Lord Yama, god of death visited his sister Yamuna on this day and gave a boon to her that whoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from sins and attain moksha. On this day sisters pray for their brother’s welfare and success. This day marks the end of diwali celebration. 

Hope You all now know the stories of diwali and celebrate it safely with family and friends:)