Happy Diwali to all of you, May you all have a happy and a Prosperous Diwali
Diwali is the festival of Lights, we light many Dipak (small lamps) on Diwali, people burn crackers. Elders of home do Lakshmi Pujan and other family members join them. On Diwali many eatables, tasty dishes, many Pakwan like Chole Bhature, Pao Bhaji, Dhokla etc. are made and many sweets like Rasogulla, Ras malai, Jalebi, Laddu etc. are made/bought.
Diwali
Diwali is celebrated two days -
- Choti Diwali
- Badi Diwali
Dhanteras
One day before Diwali, Dhanteras is celebrated, this day one Dipak is lighted. This day is considered as very auspicious day starting a new job, buying a new Residence, buying anything etc.
Dhanteras means Thirthteenth day to Dhan Lakshmi/the goddess of money.
Choti Diwali
The day before main Diwali is celebrated as 'Choti Diwali' or 'Small Diwali' or 'Naraka Chaturdashi'. People celebrate this day with fewer lights and fewer crackers.
The celebration of Choti Diwali
The women decorate their house with beautiful rangolis in the morning after choti diwali. Tiny footprints which symbolizes, as the footprints of Lakshmi, made out of rice paste are a special feature of the rangolis made for Diwali. In the evening Lakshmi Puja is done with Arati and Bhajans. After the puja, the diyas are placed in and around the house: in the doorway, near the Tulasi plant.
The origin of Choti Diwali
This day is also known as "Bali Pratipada". The word "Pratiprada" literally means "below the opponent's foot". According to the myth Bali was an immensely powerful king. When God felt that King Bali was becoming too powerful, Vishnu, disguised as a sage of diminutive proportions, appeared in his court. Bali offered to fulfill any of the sage's wishes. The sage asked for all the land he could cover in 3 paces. King Bali agreed immediately. Vishu then assumed a gigantic form and claimed the world (Mrityuloka), and the heavens (Swargloka) in two paces. To keep his foot down the 3rd time, he asked for King Bali's head. Bali agreed. Thus, the reign of Bali was overthrown.
Narakasur's mother Bhudevi declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. Since then, Deepavali is being celebrated by people every year with joyous with lots of fun.
This day is celebrated in South India by some different rituals. People wake up before sunrise prepare a paste by mixing Kumkum in oil, symbolizing blood and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon King that was smashed by Krishna, apply that mixture on their foreheads. Then they have an oil bath using sandalwood paste.
In Maharashtra also, traditional early baths with oil and "Uptan" (paste) of gram flour and fragrant powders are a `must'. Afterward steamed vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed rice with curd is served.
1. It is said that on this day Lord declared King Bali alike Indra of underworld, so Indra celebrated Diwali by thanking Lord for saving his throne of Indralok.
2. It is also said that on the same day Goddess Lakshmi came into the existence with the Kalash of Nectar at the time of Samudra Manthan (Churrning the Sea).
3. On this day King Vikramaditya composed his new Era; he called up the great scholars and priests to find out the Mahurat and they found the best mahurat to start new Era on Chaitra Sudi's pratipada.
4. On the same day founder of Arya Samaj Maharshi Dayanand received the Nirwaana.
5. Most popular story: Shri Ramchandra came back from Lanka after fourteen years of Vanvaasa (exile) and his coronation was done.
The celebration of Choti Diwali
The women decorate their house with beautiful rangolis in the morning after choti diwali. Tiny footprints which symbolizes, as the footprints of Lakshmi, made out of rice paste are a special feature of the rangolis made for Diwali. In the evening Lakshmi Puja is done with Arati and Bhajans. After the puja, the diyas are placed in and around the house: in the doorway, near the Tulasi plant.
The origin of Choti Diwali
This day is also known as "Bali Pratipada". The word "Pratiprada" literally means "below the opponent's foot". According to the myth Bali was an immensely powerful king. When God felt that King Bali was becoming too powerful, Vishnu, disguised as a sage of diminutive proportions, appeared in his court. Bali offered to fulfill any of the sage's wishes. The sage asked for all the land he could cover in 3 paces. King Bali agreed immediately. Vishu then assumed a gigantic form and claimed the world (Mrityuloka), and the heavens (Swargloka) in two paces. To keep his foot down the 3rd time, he asked for King Bali's head. Bali agreed. Thus, the reign of Bali was overthrown.
Narakasur's mother Bhudevi declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. Since then, Deepavali is being celebrated by people every year with joyous with lots of fun.
This day is celebrated in South India by some different rituals. People wake up before sunrise prepare a paste by mixing Kumkum in oil, symbolizing blood and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon King that was smashed by Krishna, apply that mixture on their foreheads. Then they have an oil bath using sandalwood paste.
In Maharashtra also, traditional early baths with oil and "Uptan" (paste) of gram flour and fragrant powders are a `must'. Afterward steamed vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed rice with curd is served.
Badi Diwali
1. It is said that on this day Lord declared King Bali alike Indra of underworld, so Indra celebrated Diwali by thanking Lord for saving his throne of Indralok.
2. It is also said that on the same day Goddess Lakshmi came into the existence with the Kalash of Nectar at the time of Samudra Manthan (Churrning the Sea).
3. On this day King Vikramaditya composed his new Era; he called up the great scholars and priests to find out the Mahurat and they found the best mahurat to start new Era on Chaitra Sudi's pratipada.
4. On the same day founder of Arya Samaj Maharshi Dayanand received the Nirwaana.
5. Most popular story: Shri Ramchandra came back from Lanka after fourteen years of Vanvaasa (exile) and his coronation was done.
Way of Lakshmi Pujan
Important Items Needed For Lakshmi Puja
Kalash
Mango leaves
Idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi
Milk, curd, honey, ghee
Puffed rice
Usual puja Sweets
Coriander seeds
Cumin seeds
And other daily puja items
Mango leaves
Idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi
Milk, curd, honey, ghee
Puffed rice
Usual puja Sweets
Coriander seeds
Cumin seeds
And other daily puja items
Lakshmi Puja Process
- First decide on a place to perform the puja.
- Spread a clean cloth and create a bed of rice.
- A Kalash (pot) is placed on the bed of rice.
- Fill about 75% of the Kalash with water.
- Put a betel nut, flower, a clean coin, and some rice in the Kalash.
- Now arrange mango leaves around the opening of the Kalash.
- Place a Thaali (a small plain plate) on the Kalash.
- On the Thaali, draw a lotus with turmeric powder and place the idol or small photograph of Goddess Lakshmi.
- Place some coins on the Thaali.
- On the right of Kalash, place the idol of Lord Ganesha.
- If you need, you can also place the idols of Saraswathi and your favorite deities.
Create a peaceful and calm atmosphere. The best way is to close the eyes and meditate on ‘om.’
- Take some water and sprinkle on all puja items to purify them.
- Do puja with haldi, kumkum and flowers on the Kalash.
- Light a lamp.
- Now take some flower and rice in the hands and close the eyes and meditate on Goddess Lakshmi. You are now invoking Goddess Lakshmi. If you know mantras, recite them. Otherwise just simply meditate on Goddess Lakshmi. Here is a simple Sanskrit mantra dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.
Namosthesthu Maha Maye,
Shree padee, sura poojithe,
Shanka, Chakra, Gadha hasthe,
Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe
Shree padee, sura poojithe,
Shanka, Chakra, Gadha hasthe,
Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe
- Now sprinkle the flowers and rice on the idol of Goddess Lakshmi.
- Take out the idol of Goddess Lakshmi and place it on a Thaali. Clean the idol with water, then with milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar. Then clean the idol again with water.
Om Jai Lakshmi Mata....
If you want to have Diwali cool pictures just go to my another blog by clicking on the link below.
By Milind Charaborty
class- 6th
Age -12
