 The Diwali Festival lasts for five days. They are known
as Dhantrayodashi, Narakchaturdashi, Laxmipujan (New Moon Day), Bali Pratipada,
and Bhaubij.
On Dhantrayodashi ("Dhan" = wealth; "Trayodashi" = thirteenth
Day) people clean the portion in front of the house and with powders of
different colours make beautiful designs on the ground called "rangoli".
The women prepare sweet and pungent foods. Three oil lamps are lit and Divali
is on ("line of lit lamps").
Lord Ram 's Return
On this day, Lord Ram (the incarnation of Lord Vishnu
in the treta Yug) returned to his capital Ayodhya after the exile of fourteen
years. Thousands of Years have passed by, and yet so ideal is the kingdom
of Ram (Ram Rajya) that it is remembered to this day. Ravan has been eliminated
along with most of his rakshasas - by Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman,
and their army of monkeys. Sita has been returned to her husband Ram, and
they now make their way to Ayodhya in triumph and glory.
Kaikeyi, meanwhile, has done enough penance for the
misery caused to the family and the kingdom. Bharat had refused to sit
on the throne, and has kept vigil as a regent, and had told Ram that if
he did not return on the last day of the fourteen years' exile, he would
immolate himself. Consequently, to commemorate the return of Ram, Sita
and Lakshman to Ayodhya people celebrate Diwali with the bursting of crackers
and by lighting up their houses with earthen diyas or other lamps in the
grandest style, year after that year.
Dhan Teras
The thirteenth day of the dark fortnight, i.e. two
days before Diwali is known as Dhan Teras. On this day a new utensil is
bought for the house. The house has to be cleaned, washed and whitewashed.
On this day, the children are taken out to buy crackers, candles, earthendiyas
and a hatri (a small house-like structure made of mud, where a small idol
of Lakshmiji sits in the middle).A pair of earthen Lakshmi and Ganeshji
are a must for Diwali pujan. (Ganeshji is to be worshipped in all pujas
before any other god or goddess.) Lakshmiji, the goddess of wealth, is
supposed to visit everyone during Diwali; therefore she must also be fussed
over. Earthen katoris known as kulris and chaugaras, lots of kheel (puffed
rice), toys made out of candy (known as khand ke khilone), batashas, etc.,
are required for the puja. The markets are extremely well decorated and
full of items which one can buy for the home. Special foods like paari
and deevlas are made at home. The day prior to Diwali is known as Chhoti
Diwali.
Yamraja King of Death
Once Yamraja, the king of death, asked his servant
this question, "When you go to the place of mortals and snatch men's life,
did you any time feel bad about it?"
"Yes, your Majesty," the servant replied. "While taking
the life of the son of king Haim I felt really sorry. It was the 4th day
after his marriage, while joy and merryment was going on all around, when
I had to take away his life. I request you never to ask me to cause an
untimely death like that."
Yamraja listened and became very concerned. "Alright,"
he said, "Today is the thirteenth of the dark half of Ashvin, Dhantrayodashi.
From today all those who will observe the five day festival of light will
not die an untimely death." Because of this the custom spread of lighting
lamps on the five days from Dhantrayodashi to Bhaubij.
Narakasur
The following day, the 14th of the dark half of Ashvin,
is known as Narak Chaturdashi, ("narak" = hell; "chaturdashi" the 14th
day). Narakasur was a wicked king. He fought against neighbouring kings
and imprisoned 16,000 women. He snatched away the "chatra" of Indra. He
took away the "Kundale" from the ears of Adity, the mother of the gods.
He took possession of the abode of the gods at Manyparva among the eternal
mountains. His ambition was that no one should ever defeat him. So he
turned his capital into a fortress.
When Krishna heard about the wicked deeds of Narakasur
he decided to destroy him. But Satyabhama, Krishna's wife, took this task
upon herself. Krishna would only be her helper. In the early hours of
the 14th day of the dark half of Ashvin, Satyabhama killed Narakasur and
liberated the women from his prison. They went home and expressed their
joy by lighting lamps and drawing "rangoli". In remembrance of this event
even today people get up early in the morning, take bath, draw "rangoli"
and make a great celebration.
On this occasion we are reminded of the struggle between
good and evil. Narak means hell. Narakasur personifies the powers of hell,
a symbol of Satan. Satyabhama represents the role of women in the struggle.
The Liberation of Laxmi
The new moon night, "amavasya", of Ashvin, is a big
celebration, known as Laxmi Pujan. King Bali had taken Laxmi as a slave.
Vishnu, in his fifth avatar as Vaman, defeated Bali and liberated Laxmi.
On this day the liberation of Laxmi is celebrated by worshipping Laxmi.
Shopkeepers and merchants worship their account books and their merchandise.
Light overcomes darkness and night becomes like day. People play firecrackers.
Bali Pratipada
The first day of the month Kartik is a full "muhurta",
or auspicious day. This is New Year's Day for merchants.
In the month of Bhadrapad Vaman Dwadashi was celebrated to commemorate
the story of Vaman's victory over King Bali, who was thrown to hell by
Vaman's third step. But since Bali had shown some goodness by keeping
his word, Vaman was satisfied and made Bali king of the lower regions
and promised him that on the first Pratipada of Kartik people would remember
him. So on this day some people take the name of Bali, they worship his
picture together with that of his wife, Vindhyavati, and waving the lamp
before the picture or idol they sing, "Ida Pida javo, Balitse rajya yevo."
("Let suffering go and let Bali's kingdom come.")
Bhaubij: Brothers and Sisters All
Today is the feast of the brother, also called Yamadwititya,
or the Second Day of Yama, because on this day Yama went to visit his
sister Yami, and they waved the lamp to each other as a sign of mutual
love and respect. On this day sisters wave the lamp to their brothers,
and brothers offer gifts to their sisters. This occasion invites brothers
and sisters in every family to foster real brotherly love.
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