Diwali is a festival celebrated with pomp and splendor across India. Andhra Pradesh is one of the oldest states in India. It was formed by combining parts of Hyderabad and the Telugu speaking region of Tamil Nadu. The land of paddy fields and mushrooming technology is no
t devoid of cultural practices. The festival of lights - Diwali is celebrated in a unique yet grand manner. The festival which commemorates the victory of good over evil and the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi is indeed the most vivid Hindu festival.
Asweyuja Bahula Thrayodasi or Dhantheran: In the state of Andhra Pradesh, the festival is celebrated for five days. The first day is known as Asweyuja Bahula Thrayodasi or Dhantheran. The day is also known as Dhana Trayodasi or Dhanteras. This day signifies the importance of Money or wealth in our lives. Kubera who is believed to be the Lord of Finances, is revered on this day. Devotees place the Kubera Yantra or photo in the puja room and offer prayers.
The first lord to be worshiped is however Lord Ganesha followed by the gods of wealth. Honey, jaggery and dried dates are offered to the God. The lamp is lit with pure ghee. During the festival shop owners and businessmen whitewash the shops and close the accounts. Goddess Lakshmi and the accounting books are worshiped with coins. In certain parts doll shows are organized. It is believed that to combat untimely death, lit diyas should be placed at the entrance after dusk.
Narka Chaturdashi: This is a celebration of the death of Evil. Narakasura, a demon king was vanquished by Sathyabhama with Lord Krishna's assistance. This is celebrated on the second day of the five day celebration. People make effigies of Narakasura and carry out processions which end up in burning of the effigies on the outskirts.
Kaumudi Mahostavam: During the olden days kings supervised the Diwali celebrations. It is fascinating to know that some of the rituals of those days are followed till date. Black gram is eaten on all the days. It is believed that on no moon day Goddess Lakshmi is present in sesame oil and Gangadevi in all sources of water like well, lakes and ponds. Sesame oil is smeared all over the body and plants like Uttarani, Anapa and Prapunnatamu are circled around the head. Lamps are lit almost everywhere including temples, hills and graveyards.
Balipadyami: This day is dedicated to Bali who was the lord of the underworld. In one of Lord Vishnu’s incarnations namely Vamana, he is believed to have crushed Bali to death. On Bali's request this day is dedicated to him. People burst crackers and celebrate in the name of Bali.
It is considered auspicious to gamble on this day. Lord Shiva lost to Parvati who then gambled with Kumaraswami and was defeated. Lord Ganesh then played with Lord Kumaraswami and won.
On Balipadyami farmers decorate their cattle, and worship them. This puja is known as Gowramma Puja.
Divvela Panduga / Divili Panduga: On the day of Divili Panduga, devout Telugus wake up early in the morning and take special ritual showers. New clothes are worn on this day and parents invite their daughters and sons-in-law to their home and present them new clothes and diwali gifts. People involved in business observe Lakshmi Puja on this day.
This day is also considered as the beginning of a New Year. During the Laxmi Puja at least five pieces of ghee diyas (lamps) are lit in front of the deities to usher in light. Traditional sweets are offered and bhajans sung in praise of the goddess of wealth. The final day of Diwali is also known as Yamadwitheya.
The festival of lights - Diwali is undoubtedly the most widely celebrated festival in India and is full of messages depicting various aspects of human life, relationships and time honored traditions.
Assam, the gateway to the Northeast India is the melting pot of various communities that have lived here harmoniously since ages. Needless to say, there has been huge assimilation of diverse culture amongst the varied population inhabiting the State. This has resulted in the celebratio
n of various festivals throughout the year in this land of the mighty Brahmaputra and tea plantations.With the onset of autumn, people in Assam celebrate the 5-day long Diwali Festival along with the rest of India. The festival in the State is marked by lighting traditional diyas and candles all round the individual houses. The entrances/gates are specially decorated with a banana tree erected on each side. Bamboo poles were then hung across these trees and traditional lamps are put on top, which offer a breathtaking view for the onlooker. Though electric lights of various color and hue have replaced the traditional diyas in the cities, the rural areas still prefer traditional lamps to celebrate Diwali. The people of Assam believe that Diwali is the time to welcome Lord Rama to Ayodhya from his 14 year exile after defeating Ravana, the king of Lanka. Hence, they celebrate the Lord's homecoming with great pomp and show.
Other activities during Diwali are burning firecrackers by both the young and the old. These firecrackers come in different packages and children specially revel in diwali fireworks like phooljharis, chakaris and play guns with crackers. People also visit each other's places and exchange diwali sweets and other pleasantries. For the young ones it's the time to share this festival of happiness with greeting cards of both ready-made and handcrafted varieties.
Lakshmi Puja, celebrating Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth is an integral part of Diwali celebrations in Assam. On the second and the third day of Diwali Festival, people in Assam observe Kali Puja, both at individual homes and as a community festival. Kali, the incarnation of goddess Durga (symbolizing Shakti), is believed to be the destroyer of evil and people invoke this deity to protect themselves from the dark forces of the world. People perform aarti to the deity and draw beautiful floral designs with colored powders called rangolis to welcome goddess Kali. Some people also refer to Kali Puja as Mahanisha Puja.
The business community in Assam, consisting of mostly Marwaris from Rajasthan celebrates the Dhanteras on the first day of Diwali for wealth and good fortune. They buy jewelries, and crockery items to mark the day. Some businesspersons even perform chopda pujan or veneration of their business books. Beginning new business ventures and fasting are the order of the day.
Bhai Dooj celebrating brother - sister bond comes on the concluding day of Diwali. It is especially very popular amongst the Bengali and the Nepali population of Assam. They call it 'Bhai Phota' and 'Bhai-Tika' respectively. On this day, sisters put tilak on their brothers' forehead for their welfare throughout the year. Gifts are exchanged and special delicacies are prepared on this day. This day conveys the general message of Diwali Festival of bonding with family and friends.
Diwali is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi. It symbolizes the slaying of the demon king Naraka and the victory of good over evil. Lord Krishna vanquished the demon and it is believed that Deepavali is celebrated to commemorate this event . The demon asked for one last wish which was granted to him. He asked for a day of enjoyment before death. The festival also denotes the arrival of Goddess Laxmi.
Lights, Sweets, Puja are the common factors that define the festival. There are a few rituals which are region specific. One day prior to Diwali the oven in which water for bath is to be boiled is cleaned, smeared with lime; four to five kumkum dots are applied and filled with water. The house is washed and decorated with rangoli patterns. The puja room is special and items like betel leaves, betel nuts, plaintain, fruits, flowers, sandal paste, kumkum, gingelly oil, turmeric powder, scented powder are neatly arranged. Crackers and new clothes are also placed on a tray after smearing a little kumkum and sandal paste.
Early in the morning the eldest member in the family applies sesame oil on the heads of family members. A bitter concoction is consumed which is believed to rid the body of toxic wastes. Then the members have their Diwali-bath one by one beginning with the youngest member in the family.
The puja room looks ornate with puja items and prashad which includes freshly prepared snacks like murukku and sweet preparations from grated coconut. Bhajans are sung .The tinkling of bells and aarti brings in a spiritual aura. After offering prayers breakfast consisting of idli, dosa or vada is served. A sweet preparation made of flour and coconut filling is also served.
Then firecrackers are burst and gifts exchanged between family members and friends. The gifts may include sweets, chocolates, combos or jewelry. In the evening the festival of lights comes alive with the lighting of lamps and other illumination. Fireworks are also seen. For newly married couple the 'Thalai Deepavali' is special as newly weds visit the bride's parental home.
The festival of lights is indeed a time for revelry irrespective of the disparity in regions. The beliefs and rituals may vary but the fun quotient is unparalleled to any other Hindu festival.
Diwali is the most prominent festival in India and rightly so. It is celebrated with much pomp and splendor across India despite the geographical and cultural barriers. The festival of lights is the home coming of Goddess Lakshmi, considered the deity of wealth and prosperity.
As the sun sets, people decorate their homes with diyas and prepare to perform Puja. Though Diwali is celebrated for five days, the third day is considered to be the most auspicious and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in a special way.
The puja room is cleaned and the deities are bathed, with water and panchamrita or rose water. Panchamrita is made of five ingredients namely milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey. Lord Ganesha is worshiped before any God among Hindus and it is no different during the Diwali celebrations. Mithais, fruits and snacks are prepared which is offered to God and later used as prashad or holy food. Diyas are lit and kept before God thereby making the idols look ornate.
The offerings include vermillion, turmeric and abir (red color). Incense sticks are lit and along with food items, freshly picked flowers are offered to the deities. Lord Ganesha's bhajans are sung followed by Goddess Lakshmi's. Lakshmi Puja is almost incomplete without lotus offerings, followed by a silver coin which is placed at her feet. The final offering includes beetle leaves and clove. After the puja, prashad is distributed among family and friends.
Diwali, the festival of lights is incomplete without fireworks and once the offerings are made the entire family prepares to takes part in bursting fire crackers. This is the time when members of the family get together and take part in frolic.
Normally a feast is cooked for all, as they thank Goddess Lakshmi for her generosity. In certain parts of the country a sweet preparation made of rice and jaggery is prepared. Rice is believed to denote prosperity and wealth and a sweet preparation is symbolic of good things that are welcomed into life. In rural India where agriculture is the prime occupation cattle are decked up and worshiped on the day of Diwali.
Diwali is indeed not merely about lights and fireworks. The devotion and rituals that are indispensable to its authenticity make it the most widely celebrated festival in India.
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Diwali is the most widely celebrated festival in India. Though it is specific to the Hindu community, the festival is celebrated across India. The festival of lights knows neither caste nor creed and is by far a significant envoy of secularism, which India as a Nation is proud of. Lights, illuminations and fireworks define Diwali. There are some other important aspects of the festival which are worth discovering. Decorating the house with festival specific artifact is an essential part of the festival. Some of the decorative items are listed below:
Torans or Door Hangings:
Used in adorning the entrances, these beautiful pieces of decoration, are used to welcome Goddess Lakshmi into the house. Traditional torans are made of mango leaves and marigold flowers. They are fresh and authentic but do not last long. Therefore torans made of threads which are embellished with beads, sequins; mirror work, shells and colored paper are preferred. There are exquisite door hangings, made decorative with motifs of various Hindu gods. The torans not only make excellent pieces of decoration but also make exquisite gift items.
Diwali Candles :
Decorative lamps and spectacular illumination is synonymous to Diwali. Candles are also a source of light which adds a glimmer of novelty to the process of lighting. Floating candles are innovative and it is even considered auspicious to keep a pot filled with water for candles to float on them. Perfumed candles are a good option as they fill the room with fragrance adding a special aura to the festival. Aroma therapy candles available in the market are worth buying as a decorative piece and also for gifting purposes.
Diwali Diyas:
The festival of lights is incomplete without the diyas that symbolize the festival. Diwali Festival is also known as Deepavali which means a row of lamps. An artistic touch is added to this row of light by using creative, handcrafted and embellished lamps of different shapes and sizes. Diyas that are filled with wax are convenient as they do not require oil to burn. Diyas made of metal like aluminum and brass are in vogue as they last for years and make excellent gifts. Shops and online marts dedicated to Diwali gifts are bound to have an assortment of artistic diyas.
Decorative lamps:
Helps in lighting up rooms and adds an authentic touch to the festivities. They come in artistic designs and can be used through the year to festoon the drawing room of your house. They can be purchased either to be kept in your home or to be gifted to friends.
Wall Decoration:
Wall hangings with an ethnic touch are preferred over the rest especially during Diwali. Wall hangings with the idols of Lord Ganesha or Goddess Lakshmi embossed on them are a must buy. Wall hangings symbolizing the festival and the celebrations add a regal touch to the decorations. Intricately embroidered cloth panel are an important item of decoration. They may be purchased as a gift or a decorative piece to adorn homes.
Sculptures and Idols of Laxmi and Ganesh:
Goddess Lakshmi is an important deity as the festival of lights is celebrated in her honor. Lord Ganesha is worshipped before any god during all Hindu rituals. It is only apt that the idols and sculptures of these gods gain prominence during Diwali. They come in all forms ranging from clay and porcelain to metal and marble. They are made ornate with sequins, beads, sparkling stones etc. These artifacts not only adorn homes adding a divine touch to the festivities but as always make excellent Diwali Gifts.
So make sure you have all these pieces of decorative items with you as you prepare for the celebrations.
Top Selling Diwali Gifts:
It is an age old belief that Goddess Lakshmi visits well decorated homes during Diwali to bless and help devotees prosper. So people who observe the festival decorate their homes the best way they can. Illumination and fireworks are synonymous to Diwali. There are various other aspects which are related to Diwali and Rangoli is one of them.
It is said that there is no better way to welcome the Goddess than decorating homes with intricate designs on the floor. The Rangoli powder gains much importance during the festival. Colors are carefully chosen and artistic designs drawn. Sometimes the art is not confined to Rangoli powder alone. Sand, rice, mustard and sometimes flower petals are also used in drawing out Rangoli patterns. Having its origin in India the designs are very much Indian and there is no scope for modern art and least of all during auspicious occasions.
The designs are mostly circular with drawings that take shape within the circle. The circle denotes the endlessness of time. Celestial bodies like the sun, moon, zodiac signs, figurines and flowers are a common theme for Rangoli patterns. The lotus flower which symbolizes Goddess Lakshmi's seat is also considered auspicious.
Rangoli designs in certain parts of the country are specific. There are two interfaced triangles that denote the deity for learning-Goddess Saraswati. In northern Bihar Goddess Lakshmi's feet is drawn at the entrance, with the feet pointing towards the house indicating her entrance.
Down south in the state of Andhra Pradesh you will find the eight-petal lotus or 'ashtadal kamal'. The 'hridaya kamalam' which is an eight pointed star, meaning lotus of the heart is seen in Tamil Nadu. Various forms of lotus namely 'shankh kamal' and 'thabak' denoting shell lotus and salver are seen as the main motifs in the Rangoli designs. Besides the designs rising out of Lotus, Conch and Swastikas are also used as motifs.
In southern India Rangoli is generally seen in geometric patterns. They are formed from dots and straight lines which merge to result in exquisite designs. It is auspicious to draw Rangoli out of rice flour, as it is a sign of prosperity. Other food items like dal, green pea, sesame seeds, turmeric powder and rice is used to make the Rangoli look more ornate.
It may be an individual effort or a result of continuous team work lasting for a few days where the whole community joins together, to come up with spectacular designs. Competitions are held so as to add on to the festive spirit. Despite busy schedules, during the Diwali festival people get together to celebrate it with much gusto. With every Diwali there are at least a handful of new designs created which adds to the joie de vivre of Diwali.
The art of Rangoli and its ever evolving trends indeed adds a spark of exuberance to one of the most vibrant festivals in India.
Top Selling Diwali Gifts:
Amidst all the fun and frolic involved in the celebration of the Diwali festival, the age old game of gambling has its own prominence. Families get together and organize flush and rummy. The stakes are high and the winner is assured of year long prosperity. It is taken so seriously that the losers wait for the next season when the game would be organized, so as to make up for their loss.
Like all celebrations that have a legend backing it, the tradition of gambling on this auspicious day is believed to have started when Goddess Parvati played dice with Lord Shiva. She also announced that those who gambled on the day of Diwali would prosper through-out the year. The Goddess of wealth is believed to smile upon gamblers who put in high stakes.
This act of gambling during Diwali is not merely seen within the confines of the home but also played outside .Casinos and local gambling houses are crowded with gamblers hoping for lady luck to be by their side.
The festival of lights is not just illumination and fireworks. There are many other aspects like the one mentioned above which are worth discovering.
Whatever be the history behind the celebration of Diwali, there is always a fun quotient attached to any festival. So is the case with the most widely celebrated festival in India - Diwali. Deepavali Sweets, fire crackers, new clothes and family get-togethers have become synonymous with Diwali. Though it is the festival of the Hindu community by and large people across India observe the festival. Be it the bursting of crackers or relishing the occasion specific sweets we find suitable reasons to celebrate the festival with gusto.
There is a lot of creativity involved in the celebrations, and rangoli is a vital part of the festivities. Girls and women take part in the art and draw out intricate designs with rangoli powder. During family get-togethers, the elderly folk play cards while the younger lot, amuse themselves with fireworks.
The womenfolk get busy preparing delicacies for the whole family. In some places it is important to cook a phenomenal number of dishes to give it as offering to God. The process of gearing up for the celebration begins almost a week before the festival. Homes get painted and cleaned to welcome the guests. Shopping for diyas, illumination, and firecrackers is done.
The Diwali day is most special as it not only marks the victory of good over evil but also brings together families and adds vibrancy to an otherwise mundane life. Sweet shops are crowded with people buying freshly made sweets and other goodies. Streets & buildings wear a festive look with illumination and other decorations.
The best time to step out of the house is during dusk, to witness lightings and marvel at Edison’s great invention. People wear new clothes and exchange sweets and gifts with family and friends. National organizations have come up with novel ideas to promote greeting cards and gifts that are made out of recycled paper and also other NGO specific cards that would, in turn help the lesser privileged lot.
The illumination seen all around is quite contradictory to the Amavasya night that would otherwise be dark and eerie. There is laughter, colorful fireworks and neon bulbs all around. This truly signifies the importance of the festival. Just as good defeated evil, light takes over dark and there is no other festival that symbolizes this in the special way that Diwali does.
