Diwali (or Deepawali) is one of the most significant festivals of Hindu people which is celebrated all over India with immense fervor and excitement. The five long day festival of Diwali begins with Dhanteras and ends on Bhai Dooj. The first day of the festivity is known as Dhanteras where people buy new utensils or invest in gold or silver jewelry. The second day is celebrated as narak nivaran chaturdashi or narak chaturdashi, roop chaudas or Choti diwali in which people wake up early before sunrise and take early bath applying sesame oil. It is said that people who wake up early are protected from going to hell.The third day is prominently called as Badi Diwali. People decorate their houses to welcome Goddess Laxmi for prosperity and wealth and celebrate the return of Lord Rama from exile along with Sita and Laxman. The fourth day is observed as Goverdhan puja wherein a Goverdhan Parvat (mountain) is worshipped by Hindu people as nature is the elementary source of food and shelter. The fifth day is dedicated to Bhai Dooj where a sister prays for the wellbeing and long life of her brother and in return, brother promises his sister to take care of her and protect her from all odds.
Significance of Diwali festival
The main Diwali festival commemorates the homecoming of Lord Rama accompanied by Sita Ji and Laxman to Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile. Lord Rama spent 14 long years in exile wandering in the forests because of the promise Raja Dashratha made to Kaikeyi that he would fulfill her three wishes. wherein one wish was to send lord Rama to exile (Vanvas). When the exile period was coming to an end, Ravana made an ill plan with Marich. Marich assumes the form of golden deer. Sita got mesmerized by deer’s beauty and asked Lord Rama to hunt him. Sita was abducted by Ravana who disguised himself as a yogi and asked for bhiksha. Sita had to cross Laxman Rekha, a line drawn by Laxman to protect her and therefore Ravana kidnapped her. Hearing this, Lord Rama fought a war against Ravana with the help of Hanuman and army to bring back his wife Sita.
Lord Ram won the battle by killing the demon, Ravana and returned back to his kingdom Ayodhya. The Ayodhyavasi decorated their houses with rangoli and flowers and lighted the full village with oil lamps to welcome the generous lord Rama from the exile. Since then Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over bad and brightness over darkness.
Lakshmi-Ganesh Pujan
On this day, the Lakshmi-Ganesh Pujan is done with sheer devotion and exuberance. It is believed that Laxmi Ji roams the earth, visits every home and resides in the neat and clean surrounding, so people clean their houses and decorated beautifully to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Ganpati is prayed first as Ganesh Ji is worshipped before praying to any Hindu deity or God. Do the prayers and offering with immense faith to gain blessings of goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh.
Celebrate the festival of lights and sweets with your in-laws and loving husband. Prepare delicious bhog for goddess and light up every corner of the home with the Diyas and candles to ward off the darkness from the lives of people. spend quality time with the family members and close relatives and enjoy the festival to the fullest. May Goddess Lakshmi bestow you and your family members with enough wealth, health, happiness, and prosperity.