Diwali: Festival of Lights

Works Cited

Das, Subhamoy. "Lakshmi: Goddess of Wealth & Beauty!" Www.aboutreligion.com. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Diwali - Festival of Lights." Diwali - Festival of Lights. National Geographic Society, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.

Works Cited

"Five Days of Diwali." Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple RSS. International Society for Krishna Consciousness, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.

""Goru Puja, Govardhan Puja, Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat"" Nepaliaustralian. WordPress, 14 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.

Rakesh. "Naraka Chaturdashi: Significance and Origin." Metaphysics Knowledge. WordPress, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.

"Sisters Worship Brothers for Their Long-life on Bhai Tika." Sisters Worship Brothers for Their Long-life on Bhai Tika. Tetragono, 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.

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5 Days of Diwali: Bhai Tika

• Brothers visit their sisters and husbands to ensure their happiness and well being.
• This tradition is rooted in the legend that features Yama Raj visiting his sister Yamuna on this particular day in the Vedic period.
• This day is also know as Bhai fota for Bengalis; in their tradition, this day is has a reversed meaning as it is when the sister prays for her brother’s happiness and well being.

5 Days of Diwali:

Godvardhan Pooja

• Godvardhan Pooja is also referred to as Annakut Pooja, which means, “worshipping this pile of grains.”
• It is celebrated as a remembrance of Lord Krishna’s defeat over the Lord of Heaven, Indra.
• Many also celebrate this day to commemorate King Bali (Mahabali), who was a benevolent Asura king.

5 Days of Diwali:

Dhanvantari Triodasi

• Hindus bathe and offer diyas featuring prasad (sanctified food) to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death, in exchange for protection from untimely death.

Lakshmi

• Lakshmi is a significant aspect of Diwali, as people worship her to bring in the Hindu new year
• She is the goddess of prosperity, wealth, and fortune.
• It is believed that her birth took place during the festival of Diwali, and so this is also celebrated.
• In some homes, windows are also opened to let Lakshmi enter and bring wealth and success to the home.

When is it?

Diwali: Festival of Lights

• Diwali is celebrated in accordance to the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
• This year it took place on November 9th.
• The date usually falls either in October or November.

How do people

celebrate?

• Diwali is "celebrated with family gatherings, glittering clay lamps, festive fireworks, strings of electric lights, bonfires, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship to Lakshmi." (“Diwali – Festival of Lights”)
• Clay lamps are referred to as diyas
• Homes are also decorated with rangolis
• Rangolis are created on the floor and are patterns designed using rice, colored powders, sand, flower petals, or paint. They are believed to welcome the goddess Lakshmi.

What is it?

• The word Diwali is translated to be "row of lights."
• It is an ancient Hindu festival celebrating "the triumph of light over dark." (“Diwali – Festival of Lights”)
• There are various legends and explanations behind this widely celebrated festival.
• One legend believed to be the origin of this festival is Ramayana.

5 Days of Diwali:

the Hindu New Year

• The goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in the evening after an all-day fast.
• Worship of Lakshmi is believed to achieve blessings of wealth and prosperity and also celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
• This is also the day when Lord Rama is believed to have returned to Ayodhya after rescuing Sita and defeating the demon Ravana.

5 Days of Diwali:

Naraka Chaturdasi

• Homes are decorated with diyas, and rangolis are created on the floors of homes.
• According to legend, this is the day Lord Krishna saved the world by conquering the demon Narakasur.