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DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Diwali marks one of the biggest and grandest celebrations in India. Diwali is also known as 'festival of lights.' 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 thrust upon him by his stepmother (see Dussehra). Thousands of years have passed, and yet ideal is the kingdom of Ram (Ram Rajya) that it is remembered to this day. Diwali comes exactly 20 days after Dussehra Amavas (new moon), during the dark fortnight of Kal some time in October or November. The exact date is from the Hindu calendar.

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 or other lamps in the grandest style, year after year. 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, earthen diyas (lamps) 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 Ganesh idols are a must for Diwali pujan (prayers). Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is supposed to visit everyone during Diwali; therefore she must also be fussed over. Earthen katoris (bowls) 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. Special foods like papri and deevlas are made at home.

The day prior to Diwali is known as Chhoti (small) Diwali.On that day Hanuman (pavanputra or son of the god of Wind), the great bhakt (worshipper) of Lord Ram, had come flying to Ayodhya to inform the family and the kingdom that Ram, Sita and Lakshman, were coming back the following day so that arrangements to welcome them could be.On Chhoti Diwali many business houses and individuals distribute mithai to their associates, families and friends. A lot of visiting is done on this day. The business community begins its new year from this day.

The puja starts on Chhoti Diwali itself, when the place of worship is decorated with a small chowk made with wet kharia matti. Many Indians decorate the floor with colours, Flowers and laves can be the motifs of the floor decorations: or else geometrical designs can be made. A chowki or a patta should also be decorated and placed against the wall of the place of worship to seat the gods, namely, Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi along with (idols or pictures of) Ram, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman. Empty diyas or unlit candles are decorated before the puja and everyone then does the pujan.

On the main Diwali day, a morning bath is very essential. In South India to bathe before sunrise, after a good oil massage, is considered very auspicious. A bath in starlight, before sunrise, is accepted as a bath in the holy Ganga. In North India, gambling is freely allowed during the festival; usually card games are played. The ceremony is as follows. Usually, a more open place than the puja room is used for the prayer ceremony. One can draw or paste a picture of the Goddess Laxmi at this place. During the actual Diwali day, people still drop in with sweets and crackers and other presents, and some visit elders of the family and the community out of respect. On this day, business people also give presents to those working for them. The businessmen are very particular about doing Lakshmi puja in their shops or offices. There is no fasting on Diwali. The daughters-in-law and girls of the house are given new saris and jewelry.

The actual pujan is done in the evening, before dark. First, the place of the puja is decorated with candles, diyas and the earthen hatri, which is placed in the centre. Then pictures of several gods and goddesses - Lakshmi, Ganesh, Ram, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman - are placed on the patta. The kulris and chaugaras are filled with kheel topped with a toy made out of candy; papris and deevlas are also kept on top.

Mithai and fruit are placed on the side of the puja patta in a thaal (plate). The new utensil, bought for this purpose, is filled with kheel and kept on the side. Everyone is dressed very well. The married girls (suhagans) can wear their chunri with its gota and kinari, if they so desire. But a chonp (golden bindi) is a must on the forehead for the suhagans.

The puja is done first by putting the teeka on the gods and everyone present, and then worshipping the gods with water, aipun, roli and rice. Everyone now takes a little rice in one hand and the story related to Diwali is narrated. After the story is finished, all members shower the puffed rice that they have been holding in their hands on Lakshmiji and Ganeshji, saying loudly: 'Get out Diladdar, Lakshmiji has come' (Nikal Diladdar Lakshmi aayee), repeating this thrice.

The lady of the house then takes one chaugara, places the prasad on top of it, and gives it to each member present. Each member then takes a little puffed rice from the prasad and puts it inside the hatri, in which a silver rupee has already been put. This hatri symbolizes the home, and the silver coin, the wealth of the house being saved inside it.

The diyas from the puja are then taken to light the diyas or candles already placed around the house and on top of it. These diyas are lit only after the puja. The first diya is placed where one throws the garbage; the belief being that there is prosperity in a house where there is a lot of garbage. Fireworks are brought out and the children join in the fun and frolic. Then start the feast and card games.

GODDESS LAKSHMI (LAXMI)
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