Diwali: The festival of lights

Diwali is one of the most important festivals of India. It has different significance for people in different regions of India, but most importantly this festival symbolizes the unity and diversity as it is celebrated in every state in its own unique ways. During Diwali, every corners of India is glowing with diyas, candles and lights. The delight of this festival comes from the exchange of sweets and gifts; from the fireworks that are lit every night for the five days of Diwali and from the get together of the friends and family where they wish Happy Diwali and a Prosperous New Year to each other from the bottom of their hearts and younger ones touch feet of their elders due to respect and to get their blessings as in Indian culture elders, specially parents are considered no less than God and are respected even more than God.


As mentioned earlier, every region has its own significance of Diwali. In North India, it is believed that on the day of Diwali, Lord Ram returned home, Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and defeat of Ravan. In Gujarat, this festival honors Goddess Lakshmi who is goddess of wealth. In West Bengal, Diwali is associated with Goddess Kali. Even though every region has its own belief, the festival signifies the “renewal of life” so it is common to wear new clothes on this day. During this festival, some families observe fast and perform prayers and rituals. Businessmen in India begin their fiscal year from this time of the year as it is believed to receive graces of Goddess Lakshmi. Many people gamble during Diwali as it is believed that the winner will have financial success all year.

Five days of Diwali:

Dhanteras/Dhantrayodashi/ Dhanwantari Triodasi:


The first day of Diwali is known as Dhanteras, which falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh in the Hindu month of Kartik. The word “Dhan” stands for wealth. On this auspicious day, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for well-being and prosperity. The importance of the day comes from one of the historical story which includes a sixteen year old son of King Hima who was destined to die from a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage. When the day approached, his wife laid all her ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband’s door and lighted countless lamps and she started telling stories and singing songs. When yama (God of death) arrived with guise of serpent, his got blinded by the brilliant lights and was not able to enter Prince’s room. He climbed on the top of the heap of ornaments and sat for the entire night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. This way young wife was able to save her husband from the clutches of death. Since then, the day is also known as “Yamadeepdaan” and lamps are kept burning throughout the night. Another popular legend is when the Gods and demons were churning the oceans for Amrit (nectar), Dhanavantri (the physician of Gods and incarnation of Vishnu), came out of the elixir on Dhanteras. On this auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with traditional Rangoli designs welcoming the Goddess of wealth and prosperity indicated her long-awaited arrival with small footprints made with rice flour and vermilion powder. It is also considered auspicious to buy gold or silver items or at least one or two new utensils with a belief that the new “Dhan” or some form of precious metal is a sign of Good Luck. In the evenings, Lakshmi-Puja is performed with the lightning of Diyas to drive away the shadows of evil spirits along with “Bhajans” which are devotional songs praising Goddess Lakshmi. In villages, cattle are worshipped by farmers as they are the main source of their income and in south, cows are offered special adoration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.

Choti Diwali/ Narak Chaturdasi/ Kali Chaudas:


The day before Diwali is celebrated as Choti Diwali (small Diwali). The celebration of this day involves ritual puja to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ram with aarti and devotional songs. The historical importance of this day is associated with the demon king Narakasur, ruler of Pragjyotishpur (a province to the south of Nepal). After defeating Lord Indra, he had snatched away magnificent earring of Aditi, the Mother Goddess (ruler of Suralok and relative of Satyabhama, wife of Lord Krishna) and imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of the Gods and Saints. When Satyabhama became aware of this, she appealed to Lord Krishna to permit her to destroy Narakasur as he was cursed to be killed by a woman. Lord Krishna gave a boon to fight with Narakasur. Satyabhama entered the battle field with Krishna as the charioteer. During the war, Krishna fainted for a while which was destined to empower Satyabhama to kill the demon. After the death of Narakasur, imprisoned women were all released and Lord Krishna accepted to marry them. Also, the precious earrings of Aditi were recovered. As a symbol of victory, Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon’s blood. He then returned home early in the morning of the Narakchaturdashi. He was massaged with scented oil and was given a good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since this day, it has become a custom to take bath before sunrise on Choti Diwali especially in Maharashtra. Also, Bhudevi, mother of Narakasur had announced that her son’s death should not be a day of mourning, but an occasion to rejoice. Since then, Diwali is celebrated with fun, and fireworks. In South India this victory is celebrated by people waking up before sunrise, preparing a paste ofkumkum (vermilion) in oil, which symbolizes blood and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon king, they apply the paste on their foreheads. Than they have an oil bath using sandalwood paste. Similarly In Maharashtra, people take early baths with oil and “Uptan” paste of gram flour and fragrant powders. After bath ritual, steamed vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed rice with curd is served.

Diwali/Lakshmi Puja:


The third day of the festival is known as Diwali. It is the most important day for Laksmi Puja and is devoted to Goddess Lakshmi. Even though, this day falls on Amavasya (No Moon day), it is believed to be the most auspicious day. According to the Hindu belief, on this day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale and so this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. The day of Diwali or Lakshmi Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya. Many diyas/ lamps are lit to drive away the darkness. It is believed that on this day Goddess Lakshmi walks through the green fields and many different places showering her blessings. It is very important to keep the houses spotlessly clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness and she visits the cleanest house first. Diyas/ Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the Goddess as they are believed to light up her path. Laksmi Puja consists of a combined puja/ worship of five deities: Lord Ganesh who is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vignaharta; Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms: Mahalakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Money), Mahasaraswati (Goddess of Books and Learning) and Mahakali (Goddess of Power and Strength). The fifth deity is Kuber (the Treasurer of Gods).

Gudi Padwa/ Govardhan Puja/ New Year:

According to the belief of the people from Maharashtra, the day following Amavasya is “Kartik Shuddh Padwa” and it is the only day when King Bali would come out of Patal Lok and rule Bhulok as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu and so it is also known as “Bali Padyami.” Gudi Padwa symbolizes the love and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals and are given presents. Also, in old days, brothers would go to fetch their sisters from their in-laws home to celebrate their auspicious day. In the Northern and Western part of India, Govardhan Puja is performed. Govardhan is a small hillock in Braj which is near Mathura and on this day, people would build cowdung hillocks and decorate them with flowers and then worship them. As per Vishnu Puran, the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival honoring Lord Indra after the end of monsoon. One year, young Krishna stopped them from praying Lord Indra which made him angry and sent heavy rain to submerge Gokul. People of Gokul became scared by the anger of Lord Indra. But Lord Krishna assured them of no harm would be caused. He then lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger and sheltered every person and beasts of Gokul from rain. This act gave him a title of Govardhandhari. Seeing this, Lord Indra accepted the power of Lord Krishna. Since this day, Mount Govardhan is been worshipped in the form of Govardhan Puja. This day is also observed as Annakoot which means mountain of food. Devotees stay awake the entire night to cook 56 or 108 different types of food for the bhog (offering of food) to Lord Krishna. In temples especially in Mathura and Nathdwara the deities are given milk bath and dressed in shinning attires with dazzling ornaments. After the prayers and traditional worship, numerous varieties of delicious sweets are raised in the form of mountain in front of deities as “Bhog” and then the devotees approach towards the mountain of food and take it as Prasad from it. This day is also considered as a New Year/ Bestu Varas for people of Gujarat. Traditional customs and rituals are performed to welcome the New Year. Almost all Gujarati houses are colorfully lighted and decorated with flowers and Rangoli by the entrance. People dress up nicely, visit temples with flowers and sweets. Everyone wish each other happy new year and at the same offer prayers to God. Heavy, delicious meal is served at the end of the day which praises the spirit of the festival. The New Year signifies the love and unity between family and friends.

Bhai Dooj:

The festival of Diwali is incomplete without the fifth day which is known as Bhai Dooj. This is the day to pray for the long life of the brother who is referred as “Bhai”. According to the historical belief, Yamraj (God of Death) went to visit his sister’s house after long period of separation. His sister, Yami welcomed him by putting an auspicious mark on his forehead for his well being. Yami and Yamraj shared meal. He was very pleased with his sister’s treatment and he announced that on this day if a sister puts a tilak (auspicious mark) on her brother’s forehead, then no one can harm her brother. Since then, it has become a tradition for sisters performing puja for their brother’s well being and brothers in return give gifts to their sister as a token of love. Another legend is that after killing Naraksur, Lord Krishna went to meet his sister, Subhdra. She welcomed him in the traditional way by showing him a light and putting a tilak on his forehead as a sisterly protection. It is also believed that Bhagwaan Mahavir found nirvana, and his brother Raja Nandivardhan was very sad and was missing his brother. Sister Sudarshana then helped his brother cheer and since then, women have been honored during this festival. Bhai Dooj is celebrated to strengthen the love between brothers and sisters.

These five days of Diwali are celebrated all over India with great joy and enjoyment.

Happy Diwali and A Prosperous New Year to all!