Diwali, the festival of lights, fireworks, gifts and sweets is the much awaited celebration in Gujarat. Associated chiefly with Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth, this festival is especially popular in this part of India, with a majority of business class Gujarati population.
Though the actual Diwali festival in this state consists of a five day long celebration, yet the festive fervor begins weeks before Diwali, as people embark on a shopping spree for the Diwali days. Gujaratis buy home furnishings and other decorative to adorn their houses on the occasion. Some people go for a complete makeover for their homes with spring cleaning, whitewashing and renovations. The young population specially buys apparel and apparel accessories to flaunt on the occasion of Diwali.
Though the five day-long Diwali celebration has been dedicated to different occasions, yet the predominant deity worshipped remains goddess Lakshmi.
The first day of Diwali in Gujarat begins with Dhanteras like in the rest of India. On this day, people of Gujarat buy and present Dhanteras gifts like silver and gold jewelry to usher in wealth and good fortune throughout the year. In evening female members of the respective Gujarati households create designs - usually depicting nature or the gods - from natural powder colors on the entrances. These are called 'rangoli' and are supposed to welcome Goddess Lakshmi to the house. Small footprints are also drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the house for the goddess.
The second day is Kali Choudas, which celebrates the Kali - the "goddess of power". It is believed that on this day, the deity killed the wicked demon Raktavija. It represents the triumph of good over evil. Some people also offer puja to Hanuman, the monkey god to protect themselves from all the dark forces in the world. People in Gujarat celebrate the occasion by offering puja to the Hanuman with sesame seeds, ladoos and rice with ghee and sugar.
In most of the Gujarati households, the female members wash their hair and apply kohl or kajal in the ey
es to avoid kali nazar or evil eye. People offer food (locally called Nived) and water to the goddess Kali at the crossroads in the vicinity of their homes. They believe that this can cast off evil spirits throughout the year. Some families also offer food to their forefathers on this day.
The third day is Chopda Pujan, which is very significant to the business community, as this is time when ledgers and new account books are opened following a special prayer to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.
The fourth day of Diwali is the most important day, and is called "Bestavarsh". This day is considered the Gujarati's New Year. This day is marked by joyous celebrations in each individual household. Gujaratis wear new clothes, jewellery and visit near and dear ones and greet each other. Sweets, dry fruits and diwali gifts are exchanged to herald the onset of a new year - a new beginning. This day is more popular among the business communities as on this day the new business year begins. Bestavarsh is also considered auspicious for shopping, inaugurations of new homes, business deals or for starting any new ventures and projects. People also visit temples to seek the blessings of their favorite gods and goddesses for a prosperous year ahead.
On the concluding day of Diwali in Gujarat is Bhaibeej celebrating the sacred bond between brother and sister. On this day, sisters specially married sisters visit their parents’ home and perform aarti (traditional ritual) and put tilak (kind of bindi) on her brother and pray
s for his long life. Those who do not have a brother perform a sort of puja to the Moon-God. Brothers in return present their sisters with varied kinds of gifts.
The Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in the state of Gujarat. Even most of the shops remain closed and the erstwhile Gujarati business community takes a long vacation from the first day of Diwali to Labh Pancham (the fifth day of the New Year). The five day long Diwali evenings are marked by lighting up streets and markets, and bursting crackers and Gujaratis indulge themselves in gay abandon.
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