Diwali The Festival Of Lights
Diwali is a holiday that the whole country of INDIA celebrates. All you can see in the sky are fireworks. It is also a time to spend with family members. The festival brings light in everybody’s life. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity as every state celebrates it in its own special way. Each day has a history behind its celebration.
Vagbarus: The first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks the killing of the demon king Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.
Dhantherus: The second day is Amavasya and
according to the legends Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, was incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi. From that day she is worshipped as the symbol of wealth and prosperity. It is also said that on this very day Lord Vishnu rescued Goddess Lakshmi from the prison of Demon king bali and for that reason Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the day of Diwali.
Karichoudus: The third day is “Kartika Shudda Padyami.” On this day Bali would come out of Pathala Loka and rule Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as “Bali Padyami”.
Diwali: The fourth day is referred to as
“Yama Dvitiya.” On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes.
Whereas according to legends it is also said that Lord Rama returned from exile
to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his subjects illuminated the kingdom and burst crackers. Goddess Kali is also worshipped during this time.
In the middle is the goddess Laxmi. She is the goddess of money. In the left side is Saraswati the goddess of speaking. On the right side is God Ganesh. He is the god of Protection.
The sign on the right is an Indian word called “OM”. It is the first word spoken for all the prayers and worships. In Diwali most Indians awake and say those word first.
