Diwali 2016 falls on Saturday 29'th October 2016, but some customs look for a amavasya, and this year it's on 30th October 2016. Deepavali is also known as crackers festival, festival of lights and so on. It's a gazetted holiday and this year 30th Oct have been declared as holiday.
In many parts of India, Diwali festival is celebrated for 7 days. The first day of Diwali is known as Govatsa Dwadashi Day(26th October 2016). The second day is known as Dhantrayodashi Day(27th October). The third day is known as Kali Chaudas Day(28th October, 2016). The fourth day is known as Narak Chaturdashi Day(29th October 2016). This is the day when Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur and set the people free. South Indians celebrate Diwali on this day(29th October 2016). The Fifth day is known as Lakshmi Puja day(30th October). The sixth day is known as Govardhan Puja Day(31st October 2016), rites are performed for cows and it's a very auspicious day particularly in Assam. The seventh day is known as Bhaiya Dooj Day(1st November 2016) and it's a day dedicated to brothers and sisters.
On the eve of Diwali, houses are lit with clay lamps and floors decorated with colourful Diwali rangoli to welcome goddess Lakshmi into the household. Poojas are performed in the evening to goddess Lakshmi to seek her divine blessings for good health and wealth. Diwali is a government holiday and people wear new clothes and shareDiwali sweets with each other. In the evening a colourful display of crackers are burst.
Diwali festival lights photography by biswarupsarkar72
Why do we celebrate Diwali?
We celebrate Diwali to banish the evil from our lives and start a new year with good health and wealth. This is one festival which is celebrated by almost everyone in India, even in Kerala, where Onam is prominent, many people celebrate Diwali by lighting lamps and bursting crackers.
History of Diwali : There are many stories as to how Diwali evolved and why we celebrate them. Diwali is the only festival which is celebrated in the country by almost everyone. In this we have given you the top reasons why we celebrate Diwali.
Lord Krishna killed Narakasur : Narakasur was an evil demon and Lord Krishna killed him the day prior toDiwali. So Diwali is celebrated as a victory from the evil demon. It is believed in Hindu mythology the Lord Vishnu in his eight incarnation as Lord Krishna killed the evil demon Narakasur and freed more than 16,000 women who were enslaved by the evil demon. Before dying, Narakasur requested for a boon that his death day should be celebrated with great pomp and show every year.
Diwali narakasura by kishoren
There is another story which says that Lord Krishna's wife Sathyabhama was the one who eliminated Narakasur. According to the myth, Narakasur could only be killed by his mother Bhudevi and as Satyabhama was an incarnation of the same Bhudevi, she was the only one who could him. Before death, however, Narakasur realized his mistake and requested a boon from Satyabhama that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful light. To commemorate his death, the event is celebrated in some parts of India as Naraka Chaturdasi, two days beforeDiwali day.
Victorious Lord Ram : According to “The Ramayana”, Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman returned back to Ayodhya after avenging Ravana in Lanka and it was on an Amavasya(no moon). Sita was kidnapped by King Ravana while they were in exile in the forest. Lord Ram, alongwith many monkey soldiers, waged a war against Ravana and rescued his queen.
Diwali ram lakshman sita
Jains : MahavirTirthankar, considered to be the founder of modern Jainism also attained his nirvana on Diwaliday.For Jains, Diwali commemorates the enlightenment of VardhamanaMahavira(the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankaras of the Jains and the founder of modern Jainism) which is said to have occurred on Oct. 15, 527 B.C. This is one more reason to engage in Diwali celebrations for pious Jains and other than the purpose of commemoration, the festival stands for the celebration of the emancipation of human spirit from earthly desires.
Goddess Lakshmi: It was on the day of Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi was rescued from a prison by the fifth incarnation of Vishnu in Vaman avatar. King Mahabali, was a powerful demon king who ruled the earth. Bali was invincible and even devas failed to defeat him in battles. Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a short Brahmin and approached Bali for some charity. The righteous and benevolent King couldn't refuse the Brahmin and was tricked into giving up his kingship and wealth (of which Lakshmi is said to be the Goddess). Diwali marks this overcoming of Mahabali by Lord Vishnu. This is the reason of worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali day. In Kerala, it’s celebrated as Onam in the month of August.God vishnu with lakshmi
Return of Pandavas : According to the epic “Mahabharatha”. the return of the pandavas after 12 years of vanvas is celebrated as Diwali/Deepavali. During a gambling game, the Pandavas lost the game and were banished to the forest for 12 years. People who loved the pandavas, lit up earthen clay lamps to welcome the Pandavas back home.
Lakshmi goddess Birthday: Goddess Lakshmi is said to have incarnated from the deep ocean on Diwali day. In the scriptures, it’s known that the gods were mortal at one point of time, to attain immortality, they had to churn the ocean to seek the nectar of immortality, which is known as samudra-manthan. During the Amavasya night, goddess Lakshmi, rose from the sea. She was then married to Lord Vishnu and to celebrate the occasion, many lamps were lit, make the skies luminant.
Coronation of King Vikramaditya :
It is believed that the great King Vikramaditya was coronated as King on Diwali Day. He was one of the greatest kings who was well known for his valour and magnanimity. One of the greatest Hindu monarchs, Vikramaditya ruled the greatest empire in the world from modern-day Thailand in the east to the borders of modern-day Saudi Arabia in the west. Diwali, thus, apart from being a religious festival also has a historical association.
Tradition of Diwali Pooja
Poojas are one of the most important part of any traditional hindu home. Diwali Pooja is usually performed to invite goddess Lakshmi and bless the people with good health, wealth and prosperity. Diwali Pooja is celebrated according to the custom and culture in various places.
During the Lakshmi Pooja, idol of goddess Lakshmi is placed on a mantel and devotional songs are sung in praise of her. Clay diyas are lit up to ward off the evil spirits and many sweets are given as offerings to the goddess. In the villages, cows are adorned with flowers and worshipped on Diwali.
Diwali lakshmi pooja
The Tradition of Diwali Rangoli
Diwali Rangoli is said have originated from Maharashtra, where it slowly dispersed into the other parts of India.Diwali rangoli is known by many names throughout India. It is known as Mandana in Rajasthan, Kolam in South India, Chowkpurana in Northern India, Aripana in Bihar and many more. Diwali rangoli is a traditional art form which is used to decorate the floors with colourful sand on the occasion of the festival. See more Rangoli designs for Diwali50 Best and Easy Rangoli Designs for Diwali Festival
The tradition of burning crackers
There are two different stories behind the tradition of burning crackers. In Northern India, it’s believed that Lord Ram after his 14 years exile in the forest, returns back to Ayodhya and people normally burst crackers on Amavasya to welcome their king.
In South India, it’s celebrated to mark the death of an asuran “Narakasura”. Before his death “Narakasura” requested a boon that the people on earth should celebrate with great pomp and show to mark the significance of his death. This year it falls on October 29th, 2016.
Diwali Greeting cards
Diwali is celebrated with a lot of lights and lamps. Share this opportunity to wish your loved ones and friends using these Diwali greeting cards. Celebrate Diwali with these beautiful collections of Diwali greetings cards to choose from.
30 Best and Beautiful Diwali Greetings card Designs and backgrounds
Diwali wallpapers: Be a part of Diwali celebrations and download these awesome Diwali wallpapers for your desktop. No matter which part of the world you belong to, celebrate this joyful festival with a lot of pomp and show.
40 Beautiful Diwali Wallpapers for your desktop
Diwali Greeting card Messages: Not sure how to wish your loved ones during this Diwali? Don’t worry, we have an awesome collection of Diwali messages which can be used to create your own special greeting cards. You can print your own cards online using these Diwali messages.
May millions of lamps illuminate ur life
with endless joy,prosperity,health & wealth forever
Wishing u and ur family a very
HAPPY DIWALI
View all 25 Beautiful Diwali Greeting Cards Messages
See All Diwali Greeting Cards | India | Diwali Greeting Cards | Diwali Wallpapers | Diwali Greeting Cards Messages | rangoli designs for diwali | Diwali Images
