Hello everyone, Today, we are going to know about the festival Diwali. In today’s blog we will have fun understanding Diwali the festival of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Newar Buddhism and other cast . We will get to know about: why we celebrate Diwali, what is the purpose of it, What is the story behind it etc...
Diwali is also known as Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, Deepawali, or the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated in October or November each year. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days.
1. Where does the name Diwali come from? The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning "rows of lighted lamps". 2. Who celebrates Diwali? Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Newar Buddhism and other cast across the world. Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness. 3. What is the tradition of Diwali?
Many lights and oil lamps are lit on the streets and in houses
People visit their relatives and have feasts
Fireworks and festivities are an essential part of the occasion
Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, is worshipped as the bringer of blessings for the new year.
4. What do people do on Diwali?
During the Diwali people wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas and rangoli (oil lamps or candles), offer puja (worship) to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and partake in family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared.
5. Why is Diwali important?
Diwali is not only important to Hindus, but, has is also celebrated among Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs. ... Thus, the tradition of lighting oil lamps on Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil and freedom from spiritual darkness.
6. What is the story of Diwali?
Once upon a time there was a great warrior, Prince Rama, who had a beautiful wife named Sita.
There was also a terrible demon king, Ravana. He had twenty arms and ten heads, and was feared throughout the land. He wanted to make Sita his wife, and one day he kidnapped her and took her away in his chariot. Clever Sita left a trail of her jewellery for Rama to follow.
Rama followed the trail of glittering jewellery until he met the monkey king, Hanuman, who became his friend and agreed to help find Sita. Messages were sent to all the monkeys in the world, and through them to all the bears, who set out to find Sita.
After a very long search, Hanuman found Sita imprisoned on an island. Rama's army of monkeys and bears couldn't reach the island, so they began to build a bridge. Soon all the animals of the world, large and small, came to help. When the bridge was built, they rushed across it and fought a mighty battle.
When Rama killed the evil Ravana with a magic arrow, the whole world rejoiced. Rama and Sita began their long journey back to their land, and everybody lit oil lamps to guide them on their way and welcome them back.
Ever since, people light lamps at Diwali to remember that light triumphs over dark and good triumphs over evil.
7. Why do people where new clothes and clean their house on Diwali?
Diwali is a day of celebration and has spiritual significance for all the Indians. Thus, to celebrate this everyone wears new clothes just as if we have any other special occasion we choose to wear new clothes. And people even have a belief that Goddess Laxmi visits their house on Diwali.Diwali is associated with the worship of Lakshmi, who brings in prosperity into the homes and lives of Her devotees. It is believed that Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, enters only clean and well-lit homes. An important aspect of the festival emphasises the theme of letting go of the old and ushering in the new.
8. What is the symbol of Diwali?
Lamps, fireworks and bonfires illuminate this holiday, as the word “Deepawali” means “a row or cluster of lights” or “rows of diyas (clay lamps)”. The festival symbolizes the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. During Diwali, or Deepawali, the goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth, happiness and prosperity, is also worshipped.
9.What is the name given to the first day of the Diwali festival?
The first day of Deepawali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi. It is also known as Dhan Theras. Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "13th day”. In popular practice it is an auspicious day for shopping of utensils and gold.
10. What is the name given to the second day of the Diwali festival?
Chaturdashi- the second day of Diwali festival that is celebrated all over India by Various names such as Narak Chaturdashi, Kali chaudash, Hanuman Jayanti or Roop Chaturdashi. Broadly this day signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.In the Hindu calendar, Chaturdashi is the 14th day (Tithi) of the waxing phase or waning phase of the moon. This is the day prior to new moon (Amavasya) or full moon (Pournami). It has a great significance to Bengalis, as goddess Tara appeared to rishi vasistha on this tithi.
So now, let's celebrate Diwali with fun, enjoyment and happiness!!! I hope you enjoyed learning about Diwali, Thank you for reading it. Please leave your comment!! Stay home with family! Happy Diwali!! :)
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