Everything You Need To Know About Diwali in 2017

Diwali is also known as Deepavali, the "deep" meaning "light" or "lamp", and "avali" meaning "row" This "row of lights" is represented by lighting lamps everywhere during Diwali. It is an official holiday in Fiji, Guyana, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and recently Sindh Province in Pakistan. One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, it spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Its celebration includes millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is observed.

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights is an Indian festival, but now celebrated almost everywhere across the world. It is a 5 day festival starting with Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. The festival is not held at a particular date every year. It follows the Hindu calendar, which is a lunar calendar and falls on the Kartik Amavasya (New Moon of Kartik Month). These five days have different reasons to be celebrated with different celebration themes and ways. So just scroll more to know about the big Diwali festival.

1. Dhanteras

This year Dhanteras is being celebrated on the 17th of October. This day is celebrated on the thirteenth day after Ashwin Poornima (Full Moon). It is also known as Dhantrayodashi, (Trayodashi means thirteenth). ‘Dhan’ is the hindi interpretation for wealth. As the legend goes, the 16 year old son of King Hima was predicted to die on the fourth night of marriage by a snake bite. But his wife laid out all her jewellery, wealth, coins, utensils and lit lamps in front of the door and kept her husband awake by narrating stories and singing songs. At night, when the Yamaraj (God of Death) came disguised as a snake, he could not enter the Prince’s room as his eyes were dazzled and blinded by the jewellery and the lamps.

Hence, on this day, it is considered auspicious to bring home gold, silver and utensils and also keep your home well lit. But due to busy lifestyles, these days women do not even get time to go out shopping for Dhanteras. So for them the option of our advance technology of online shopping comes handy to cater their need. Dhanteras also celebrates Dhanvantari. Dhanvantari is considered to be the teacher of all physicians and the originator of Ayurveda. Dhanteras is a great day to go out and shop for yourself, get some jewellery, and if you have a busy schedule, just hop online and order something that you would keep with for years to come.

2. Chhoti Diwali and Narak Chaturdashi

The fourteenth day after the Ashwin Purnima is the Chhoti Diwali, Narak Chaturdashi. This year, this day falls on the 18th of October. At some places, Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated every year by performing puja of the Goddess Kali who had killed the demon named Narakasura. That’s why the day is known as Narak-Chaturdashi and Kali Chaudas as well. People offer puja in order to eliminate their laziness and wickedness from their life as well as bring real light into their life. Usually, other than the ritual pooja, the families start cleaning their houses if not cleaned earlier on this day. Diwali Diyas are lit in and around the houses and people start gifting each other with sweets and other household gifts.

3. Diwali

This year on 19th of October, Diwali is believed to bring joy, happiness, wealth, prosperity and love in the house. The day starts with cleaning the house, wearing new and beautiful clothes. Home decorations and other diwali decoration items are used to decorate the house. People give each other Diwali gifts such as beautifully custom decorated diwali diyas, small home appliances, sweets or lord idols. Diwali is associated with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi.

To Hindus, darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for knowledge. Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering, etc. Hence, lights and lamps are lit everywhere. People enjoy themselves by bursting firecrackers. Communities get together to celebrate Diwali. Delectable food is cooked in home and near and dear ones are called to take part in the celebrations with utmost zeal and vigour. Diwali is a great time to gift something special to a loved one to wish all the prosperity in their life. Even if you do not have time to shop in person, you can always check out great deal on Diwali gifts online.

4. Govardhan Puja and Bali Pratipada

Govardhan Puja, this year on 20th of October, is celebrated to offer food and devotion to the Govardhan Mountain. Apparently, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Parbat on his little finger to provide shelter to all the living beings in Braj who were in danger due to extreme rainfall. Whereas, the day is referred to as Bali Pratipada due to a totally different legend. King Bali was an immensely powerful king. When the God thought that his power is becoming the reason for his vanity, then Lord Vishnu disguised as a sage. Bali promised to fulfill three of his wishes. The sage asked for all the land he could cover in 3 paces. King Bali agreed immediately. Vishu then assumed a gigantic form and claimed the world (Mrityuloka), and the heavens (Swargloka) in two paces. To keep his foot down the 3rd time, he asked for King Bali's head. Bali agreed. Thus, the reign of Bali was overthrown.

5. Bhai Dooj

The fifth day of Diwali, that is to be witnessed on 21st October this year, is also called Bhai Dooj or Bhratri Dooj, which is dedicated to sibling love. In the Vedic era, it is known that Yamaraj visited his sister, Yamuna on this day and gave her a boon that if a brother visits his sister on Bhai Dooj, then he shall be liberated with all his sins and will achieve moksha, liberation. This day is popularly known as the sister’s day as well. The brothers can choose among abundant gifting options for their sisters on Bhai dooj. These days, one can also find great Bhai Dooj Gift ideas online very easily.

With Bhai Dooj, the extravagant celebration of Diwali comes to an end, leaving a hope for a coming prosperous year. With all the lights, diwali diyas, diwali gifts, bhai dooj, home decorations, lots of gold and silver, jewellery, wealth and lord idols, this festival celebrates the true spirit of auspiciousness, prosperity, wellbeing and the ascend of good over evil and light over darkness.