Significant Diwali GUIDING LIGHT

SONALI PIMPUTKAR enlightens us with the importance of Diwali

It is the time of year again when our entire nation is immersed in happiness, love, gratitude and fun. The time when there is a sparkle in everyone’s eyes and our neighbourhood buzzes with excitement. The festival of lights is spread across five days and each day has its own charm and tradition to follow.

Dhanteras (Nov 5)

Dhanteras, also known as Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanvantari Trayodashi, is the first day of Diwali. The word ‘dhan’ means wealth and Hindus consider it auspicious to buy gold or silver or at least new utensils. Kubera, the god of wealth, is worshipped on this day. It is also believed that it is on Dhanteras when Goddess Lakshmi came out of the ocean of milk during the churning of the sea.

Naraka Chaturdasi (Nov 6)

Naraka Chaturdashi falls on the second day of Diwali and is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Krishna against Narkasur. The day is also known as Choti Diwali, Kali Chaudas or Roop Chaudas. According to Hindu mythology, Narkasur, son of earth becomes an evil asur and later tried to rule heaven and earth and Krishnan had to behead him. Hence, there is a ritual to break karit (a bitter fruit) on the day, symbolising the victory of good over the evil.

Lakshmi Puja (Nov 7)

The third day of Diwali is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and is known as Lakshmi Puja. The puja is a combination of five deities –Mahalakshmi, Lord Ganesha, Mahakali, Mahasaraswati and Lord Kuber. On this day, people pray for wealth, prosperity and happiness of their dear ones. It is believed that on Lakshmi Puja, Goddess Lakshmi visits her devotees and blesses the family with health, wealth and happiness.

Padwa, Balipratipada (Nov 8)

The fourth day of Diwali is called Padwa, which celebrates the bond between the wife and husband. On Padwa, the wife prays for the long life, wealth and prosperity of the husband while the husband showers the wife with gifts. The day is also celebrated as Bali Pratipada, the day when Lord Vishnu’s avatar Vaamana took over all the three worlds from demon King Bali. As the king had a great affection for his people, he gains the permission to visit the kingdom once a year. And since then people celebrate the day as the homecoming of Bali as Balipratipada.

Bhai Dooj (Nov 9)

The five-days of Diwali conclude with Bhai Dooj, a day dedicated to the bond of brothers and sisters. Bhai Dooj is also called as Bhaubeej, Bhai Tika and Bhai Phonta. According to mythology, Yama, the death of god, visits his sister Yamuna on this day and puts tilak on his forehead. Later, Yama announces that on this day any brother who has the red tilak applied by his sister experiences good health and fortune.