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The festival of Diwali is celebrated by the Indians throughout the world with
special enthusiasm and zeal. May be this is why, it is the most popular as well
as liked festival in the country as well as abroad. This festival of lights
brings along with itself immense enthusiasm and pleasure. Unlike other Indian
festivals, the Diwali celebrations are not limited to just one-day but it brings
a series of festivals and holidays with itself. As Diwali is the festival of
Goddess Lakshmi,the goddess of wealth, it is celebrated with great pomp and
show. Lights, crackers, sweets and abundant shopping are the most awaited
features of the Diwali season. Diwali is the festival, which means celebration
one after another, each day with a new philosophy. Given here is a list of
events that Diwali brings along with itself.
Diwali Celebrations in India
First Day - Dhanteras
Diwali begins with Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanwantari Trayodashi), which is the
thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartik.
Dhanvantari Trayodashi is popularly known as Dhan-teras. Legends have it that
Lord Dhanwantari (Lord Dhanwantari) came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic on this
day for the welfare of the mankind. The people worship Lord Yamaraj, the God of
death, on this day and light a 'Yama-Diya' in the night to offer prayers to Him.
Purchasing a new utensil by the people on this day is also a tradition related
with Dhanvantari Trayodashi.
Second Day - Choti Diwali
After the Dhanvantari Trayodashi the second day of Diwali is Narak Chaturdashi.
Legends have it that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur on this day to make
the mankind free from his fear. It is a tradition to massage the body with oil
and to bathe on this day. According to an interesting saying it is believed that
those who do not bathe on this day go to the Narak (hell).
Third Day - Badi Diwali or Lakshmi Puja
The third day of DIWALI also called Badi Diwali is the main day of celebrations
of the festival of Diwali. People perform Lakshmi Pujan (worship of divine
Goddess Lakshmi) on this day and offer prayers to her to bless them with wealth
and prosperity. On this day people clean their homes and decorate it with
various colorful lights and fire crackers to express their joy.
Fourth Day - Govardhan Puja (Gowardhan Puja) or Padwa
As the name itself suggests the fourth day of diwali is devoted to Govardhan
Pooja (worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat). Legends have it that Lord Shri Krishna
once performed the Govardhan Pooja along with the people of Vraja for their
protection from heavy rains. Since then it became a tradition for Hindus to
worship Govardhan Parvat to honour that first Pooja on this day.
Fifth Day - Bhai Duj (Bhaiya Dooj) or Bhratri Dooj
The fifth day of the diwali is Bhai Dooj, the time to honour the brother-sister
relationship. Legends have it that in the Vedic era, Lord Yamaraj (the God of
death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day and blessed her with a boon that if
brothers visit their sisters on this day then they will be liberated from all
their sins. Since then it is a tradition that brothers visit their sisters on
this day and the sisters sweeten their mouths with variety of sweets. In the
Bengali culture this day is celebrated as 'Bhai Fota'. The celebration of the
Bhai Dooj marks the end of the five days long festivities of Diwali.
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