Diwali - Festival of Lights 2016

Diwali or Deepavali is a Hindu festival of lights observed on the 15th day of the month of Kartik. On this day,Lord Rama-Chandra, the seventh avatar (incarnation of Lord Vishnu). returned to his Ayodhya after 14 years of exile during which he killed numerous demons and finally destroyed the king of demons called Ravana in a fierce battle that lasted for seven days.So, on the day of arrival of Lord Rama,People lit their houses to celebrate his victory over evil and welcome their beloved Prince.

Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman 

Giri Govardhan made of sweets - Iskcon Melbourne

Thus, Diwali is a festival that marks the victory of good over evil.

A Novel way to light up Fire Crackers

Also,a day before Diwali there is a celebration called Naraka Chaturdashi. It is the day, when Lord Krishna killed another demon called as Narakasura. Diwali is also a time of worship of Lakshmi devi. Business man start new books and accounts on this day and its like a new financial year for them. Anyway, the fun part for both kids and adults alike is the exploding the fire crackers, sparklers and other numerous fireworks. The chivalry of people is tested on this day by their ability to go and light-up the Diwali crackers or bombs that make a loud noise and explode made especially for the occasion. And, we have and heard so many funny stories of people trying to light up these bombs but too scared etc. I even saw a you tube video of a person trying to light-up a small bomb, tries a number of time.The trick is to light up the sparky thread at one end of the bomb and should get back to a safe distance within seconds before it explodes. Finally, this poor fellow in his final attempt, thinking that he had definitely lit the bomb, runs back wards for safety with all his might and out of nervousness falls flat on the concrete road and had scratches all over his arms and legs and of course, the bomb never blew. Sometimes, more serious accidents also happens and that’s all the part of the package.

Anyway, in Melbourne we had over share of Diwali in the local Iskcon temple.Kids had some fun, lighting up sparklers etc.There was worship and prayers offered to Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita Devi and Hanuman. And, on the next day we celebrated the Goverdhan Puja by going around  the replica of Govardhan mountain made of varieties of sweets followed by a sumptuous feast and of course the sweets.

Traditionally,in India the festival of Diwali is celebrated for five days:-

Giri Govardhan made of sweets - Iskcon Melbourne

Diwali Rangoli

The First Day of Diwali called Dhanvantari Trayodasi, also called as Dhantheras. It is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh (the dark fortnight) of the month of Kartika. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari appeared, delivering Ayurvedic medicine for mankind.This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset, Hindus bathe and offer oil lamps with prasada (sanctified food) to Yamaraja (the Lord of Death) and pray for protection from untimely death.

The second day of Diwali is called Naraka Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika and the eve of Diwali. On this day, Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasura and liberated the 16,000 princesses which the demon held captive.

The Third Day of Diwali (actual Diwali) is the day, when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, and triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. This is also the day on which Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya.

The Fourth Day of Diwali is the day, Govardhana Puja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to worship this sacred hill.

From then on, every year, Hindus worship Govardhan to honor that first Puja done by the people of Vraja. Also, Bagavatham explains that Bali Maharaja was defeated on this day by Lord Krishna’s dwarf brahmana incarnation called as Vamanadeva.

The Fifth Day of Diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. It is a day dedicated to sisters. Just like Raksha Bandhan (brothers’ day), this is a sisters’ day. It was said that, after the fight with Narakasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire their welfare.This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations.