FESTIVALS

Most of these festivals are being celebrated throughout the year. Please see Hindu Calendar or ring Temple Priest.

This is the 1st day of the Hindu Calendar after the name of King Vikram. This day is commonly celebrated the day after Dewali.

It was on this day that Lord Vaaaman ( the 5th incarnation of Lord Vishnu) liberated the "Prithvi Mata" from the reign of the all powerful King Bali. In reality, the King had made the other three classes of society very weak and dependant. Lord Waman brought in revolutionary consciousness thereby restoring the fragmented weak society up to its self respect and dutifulness.

On the same day Lord Krishna also challenged the peoples' acceptance of worshipping the proud autocratic leaders and he gave leadership to a deserving personality. He started Govardhan Pooja in Vrindavan by stopping Indira pooja, who had become proud and at times threatened the welfare of the people.

It is also a day for us to take new fruitful oaths getting rid of old dogmas. It is a day of establishing new relationships and fresh starts in life developing and strengthening bonds of brotherhood and love.

Traditionally all the sisters invite their brothers for a meal. It is a day of reunion of brothers and married sisters living apart and also a day of prayer for brothers for a long, healthy, active and sacred life.

It is in a subtle way, reminder for the men, of emotionally pious bonds of love and duty to respect the women of the society.

Geographically the sun starts moving towards the tropic of Capricorn. It is the time when men and women are in tune with nature shifting towards cheerfulness.

It is the 14th January every time. On this day "Tilgud" (sesame seeds and brown sweet sugar) are distributed among friends and neighbours signifying sweetness of speech and behaviour along with warmth, tenderness and strength through unity.

At a more subtle level, it is a day for our intellectual migration towards a better life of the society shedding the old ideas in favour of progress.

Which Hindu wouldn't like to remember this holy book, the nectar of all our four Vedas, hundred and eighteen Upanishads and everything there is to know about way of life and day to day practices for an individual as well as mass spiritual upliftment and realisation of "Parmatman". Volumes have been written by many seekers and pundits on this little holy book.

It is a day to ponder over qualities like selflessness, simplicity of living, meditation, generosity and richness of thoughts, contentment and indifference (vairagya). Lord Shiva truly represents all these qualities. If only humans were to truly realise that everything around us is destructable, most of the unhappiness emerging from materialistic race would come to an end. Structure of society would be totally different.

Lord Vishnu the protector of the Universe himself has worshipped Lord Shiva on this day with lotuses in the tranquility of midnight. It is a tradition to observe a fast and worship Lord Shiva with "Abhishek" while contemplating on his qualities.

The word means "Setting Fire". After the dusk fire is lighted like a bonfire in the presence of everybody, newly born children and newly wed couples go round this fire hoping that the evil effects wont touch them, like Pralhad - son of anti demon God called Hiranyakashapu and nephew of evil auntie called Holika- who wished to burn him to ashes in a conspiracy with her brother, to prevent Pralhad worshipping Lord Vishnu.

Pralhad came out safe and unaffected. Holika was turned to ashes even though she had boon from Lord Agni, but she tried to use it for evil purposes.

In a celebration of the prevalence of right over wrong, next day is celebrated with folk dances ad songs along with throwing colours at each other. Life also becomes colourful and cheerful once their is total surrender of self to God.

This is another festival rejoicing after taking the crops out of the fields. This is mainly celebrated in the North of India. Brotherhood feelings and cooperative sentiments are at the heart of this festival. Families come closer leaving out their sorrows and differences.

The seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu took birth on the ninth day of the first lunar fortnight of the Charitra (6th lunar month according to the Hindu calendar). This incarnation was known as Lord Rama. He was born to King Dasharath and Queen Kayshalya. He was the ideal son, ideal pupil, ideal brother, ideal husband, ideal warrior, ideal King and besides all, an ideal master and friend.

The society in which he was alive had deteriorated to its lowest. Everybody was taking life for granted. Lord Rama therefore set standards for people and showed by his own behaviour the right code of conduct. We therefore know him as "Maryada Purshotam Ram" today.

Lord Rama conquered the demon King Ravana who had exiled him to the jungle for 14 years. Once Lord Rama had conquered the demon he returned to take his place on his throne and kingdom that he had to give up for 14 years. This homecoming is commonly known as Dewali.

A full moon day in Ashadh. This is the day for everyone of us who has sought for knowledge to pay respect for our teacher. It is rightly said that "Guru is a gate through whom you must pass to begin your journey in pursuit of any kind of knowledge". Our cultural and religious literature has placed Guru at a par with Parmataman. This day therefore presents a moment of introspection for us to check how far we have progressed on the path we have chosen to march on. Worshipping Guru is worshipping truth, divine knowledge and invaluable experiences.

This is another but one of the more commonly known ones where the sister ties a thread on her brothers wrist. The thread acts like a shield of protection against any evil coming to her brother. In return the brother gives a small token of a gift to his sister indicating that he is prepared to sacrifice anything for the sake of her protection. All the sisters are thus protected by the brotherly sentiments in the society, by this event.

Janamastami

Janam literally means 'birth' and Ashtami means the 'eighth day'. The eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapad is celebrated as Krishna Janamashtami. It commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu in the Dwapar Yuga.

This day is marked by religious festivity and devotion. Lord Krishna or "He who is all-attractive", descended on this earth to subdue the rakshasas ruthlessly and save mankind from all evils. He is regarded, as the epitome of transcendental qualities, which made him the most, loved one.

Lord Krishna was born on this day to Vasudev and Devki as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, but Nand Baba and Maiyya (mother) Yashoda were his foster parents. Kansa (the tyrant King of Mathura) had made life very difficult, so did other Kings such as Jarasangh and Kalayavan to name but a few. To re-establish law and order, confidence and peace and Dharma in the society, Lord Krishna right from his childhood started his mission. Even though he was constantly surrounded by mortal danger he emerged unscathed and triumphant.

According to Hindu Mythology, the birth of Lord Krishna is as follows. Kansa, who ruled Mathura after usurping it from his father Ugrasena, was a wicked king. None could stop his atrocities and save themselves from his torturous deeds. One day, after the marriage of Devaki (his sister) and Vasudeva, Kansa was riding his chariot, when suddenly a voice from the sky warned him that the eighth child of Devaki would one day destroy him and put an end to all his sinful deeds. Perturbed and furious, Kansa ordered the imprisonment of his sister and brother-in-law at Vajra, a village eight miles across river Yamuna near Mathura. When the first child was born to Devaki, Kansa killed it immediately. Thus, every time an infant was born, it met with the same fate. However, before the birth of the eighth child, a voice from heaven instructed Vasudeva to exchange the child-to-be-born with his friend Nand's yet-to-be-born baby.

On the fateful midnight when Devaki delivered her eighth child, there occurred a tempest with dark thundering clouds drowning the cries of the little born. It was a divine ordain. Vasudeva put the baby boy in a cushion of leaves within a basket and carried him on his head. Braving the storm, he waded across the gushing waters of the Yamuna. Miraculously, the snake adisesha appeared around the basket and with its hood protected the infant from hail and storm. Vasudeva reached Gokul, where Yashoda had just given birth to a baby girl. His friend Nand Baba the ruler of Gokul, took Vasudeva's boy and gave his own infant, promising to keep it a secret. With Nand's child in the basket, Vasudeva returned to the prison and suddenly the rage of the hurricane calmed down.

At the crack of dawn, the cries of the new-born filled the air and brought Kansa straight to the prison. There, he saw the eighth child - his destroyer, with Devaki and Vasudeva and his blood curdled. He lifted the baby and threw her against the ceiling. Lo and behold, the infant, who was actually "Shakti" or "Durga", flew out of sight and a thunderous voice once again reverberated in the sky. It scorned at Kansa's foolish killings and warned him that his destroyer was alive and will one day put him to death. The thought of an insecure life sent chills down his spine.
Meanwhile, at Gokul (the place where cowherds and cowboys inhabited), news spread about the birth of a baby boy to Yasodha. The gopees or cowherds rushed to take a glimpse of the dusky new-born child. There was reveling all around to mark the birth of the little one who was named Krishna - the attractive one.

Since His early days itself, Krishna showed qualities of His supernatural being. He was frivolous and notorious for stealing His favorite butter. He was the apple of everyone's eyes. Every woman called Him her own child and held Him dear to their heart. Krishna spent His adolescence at Vrindavan where He won the hearts of the gopees, the women who milked the cows. He was the embodiment of love and manhood and
every woman wanted a husband like Krishna.

At every stage Krishna fulfilled the purpose of his reincarnation. He slayed Kansa, exhibited incredible feats to save the people of Vrindavan from disasters and went on to deliver the holy preaching of "Bhagvat Gita". The object of Krishna's birth was to bring about a victory of good over evil.

There have been many incarnations but Lord Krishna's was unique and total in all respects. There was not a single aspect of human life where he did not provide a stirring and thought provoking solution to a problem. He was a staunch reformer, very able politician, liberal democrat, messenger of Peace, protector of harassed, sincere impartial friend, selfless leader and above all, top most preacher of the spiritual knowledge.

Janmashtami marks the celebrations of Lord Krishna's birth, the incarnation of Vishnu, one of the Hindu Triumvarate, who came onto earth to cleanse the sins of the human beings. The modern day festivity recreates the birth of the Lord. It is celebrated with utmost gaiety and fervor in Mathura and Vrindavan. The towns are colorfully decorated wearing a festive look. The main temples at Mathura and Vrindavan and all over the world are bedecked with flowers and Lord Krishna is clothed in jewellery. Also all temples have decoration lights. The rituals begin ahead of time in the evening and culminate at midnight, the time of Krishna's birth. A crawling image of Krishna is cradled amidst singing of Bhajans and Chanting of Hare Rama Hare Krishna.

So far no one has placed before the world a concise, unambiguous yet the cream of nectar of all spiritual knowledge as "The Bhagavad Gita" easy intelligible for a commoner. He has promised that the highest goal of god realization can be achieved through any one of the divine paths:

Who wouldn't bow the head to such a universal Guru and wouldn't feel totally fulfilled in celebrating Lord Krishna's birthday.

This day comes sometime in September. According to the Hindu calendar it is the 4th day in pre-full moon days in Bhadrapad the eleventh month. We all know Ganesh is worshipped at the beginning of any religious ceremony.

He is known as the son of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. The mythical story about the form of Lord Ganesh in Purana is only to signify:

This is a day to pay respects to all time saints, devotees, Yogi's and hermits who have placed before us and for us, their knowledge and experiences acquired by devotion, penance and meditation exercises. They have demarcated the path to be free from worldly sorrows and pains. They have shown us the path leading to eternal joy, eternal power and eternal knowledge.

This homage is paid to our ancestors, through whom we exist, live and prosper during these 15 days. It is our indebtness towards them who have lived for us through us. We have to pray and pay homage to our elders on the day they left their bodies to live in another world or heaven.

These nine days are celebrated for the worship of supreme power (Shakti) Amba maa or Durga maa. Folk dances and sticks dances are arranged during these days. Mythological story narrates, that there was a powerful demon King Mahishashur who terrorised everyone including deities like Indra, Agni, Varuna and hermits. It wasn't possible for any one God or Lord Vishnu to punish that demon. All these gods - Brahma, Vishnu, Makesh, Indra, Varuna etc put all their powers together to make a supreme power. This was then used to fight and conquer this demon. Fierce form of this Shakti known as Durga maa killed the demon after nine days of terrible fighting. Peaceful form of Shakti was known as Amba maa. The tenth day is known as Vijya Dashami . It also shows the importance of the woman in the history of our cultural heriatge.

Celebrating Navratra

When performing any ritual or religious celebration we obtain maximum benefit if the ritual is done with faith and in accordance to spiritual principles (shastra). The ritual and thus, perform it with most faith and according to spiritual principles. Otherwise, it remains a mere cultural event and one forgoes the invaluable spiritual benefit that could have been accrued from the celebration otherwise.

Unfortunately, these days, Navratra celebrations, especially, the events of Garba or Dandiya dance have come to be more of social events rather than religious ones. Hence, the proportionate spiritual benefit from the events is not attained. However, we all can make a difference in this festival by beginning the rituals (puja) on time, playing devotional songs like Bhajans during Garbha or Dandiya events, performing dance forms with reverence to the female deity (Devi) rather than westernized dance forms, and holding discussions on spiritual aspects of the festival rather than indulging in social chit-chat. Further, we can also ensure our children’s wholehearted participation in the celebration by sharing with them the science behind the rituals through simple stories and by teaching them why we need to behave reverently around the altar, such as being quiet around the altar, not having shoes on, etc. When our rituals are performed in such reverent and spiritual atmosphere, it ensures the presence of the deity (in this case, nine forms of the female deity or Devi) being invoked through the rituals. Thus, our sincere effort in organizing the celebration, participating in it, and all the expense and time spent on it will bear fruit in terms of the Devi’s presence during the celebration.

On the first three days of Navratra, the worship of Maha Kali, who dominates (controls) the tama (spiritual ignorance/inertia) component, is undertaken to reduce the tama component in oneself. On the next three days, the worship of Maha Lakshmi, who dominates (controls) the sattva (spiritual wisdom/purity) component, is undertaken to enhance the sattva component in oneself. On the last three days, the worship of Maha Sarasvati, who dominates (controls) the raja (spiritual action) component, is undertaken to intensify one’s spiritual practice.

The Garbha dance originated in praise of the various movements of the female deity, Mahishasur-mardini, who delivered the people from suffering, by slaying (‘mardini’ of) the evil demon, Mahishasur during the period of Navratra. The stick used during the Dandiya dance is representative of the weapon Khadga in the hand of the Goddess.

The celebration of this day has a special significance as it is related to many events which resulted in brilliant successes in the past:

2) Lord Rama set off on this day to liberate Sitaji from the clutches of demon Ravana.

3) King Raghu gave an ultimatum to Kubera the treasurer of Deva who became hoarder of wealth.

Besides this, this day is considered to be very auspicious day for entering new houses or embarking on any new project. It is a day for everyone to march against our own inner enemies like laziness, disorganisation, greed etc.

Karva Chouth falls about nine days before Diwali 0n the Kartik ki Chouth (fourth day of the waning of moon or the dark fortnight) some time in October or November depending on that year.

The married woman observes a fast and keeps awake for the whole night on this day, for the well being and all round welfare of their husbands. They also give presents to their mother-in-laws. This only brings out how clearly devoted the ladies of our society are. Women have always provided examples of self sacrifice, selflessness and total merger of the self as wives and mothers.

It is the most important fast observed by the women of North India. A woman keeps such a fast for the well being of her husband, who becomes her protector after she leaves her parents home. Her husband provides her with food, shelter, clothing, respectability, comfort and happiness. In times gone by, a widow became a burden to the household and was best got rid of by burning her on the funeral pyre of her husband. This was glorified by attributing great virtue to the woman concerned, having brainwashed her enough so that -she herself would decide to become what was known as a Sati. So it became exceedingly important that her husband remain alive. Hence, the great importance of this fast.

This is indeed a very tough fast to observe as it starts before sunrise and ends after worshipping the moon, which usually rises at about 8.45 pm in India (Please check the Moon Rise Time in various Cities around the world). No food or water is to be taken after 4 am or after sunrise. This fast is kept even now becoming a symbol of the sentiment and love that a woman has for her husband.

The Goddess known as Gaur Mata is worshipped. Women celebrate by buying bangles and applying henna(Mehandi) patterns on their hands. New brides wear their bridal outfits and others wear outfits woven with gold. Once the moon rises, the women see its reflection in a thaali or wide container of water, after which they do a Pooja for their husband's safety and long life, and finally break their fast, only after feeding their husbands.

In the olden times, the elders of the family were also keen to discipline the young wife, who sometimes arrived at the tender age of seven or eight years. Great care was taken on the day of this fast to ensure that she took neither food nor water unwittingly. An older woman would accompany the young girl even to the bathroom, or the toilet, to ensure that she did not drink any water.

A sari (in the baya) is a must for the first Karva Chouth of a girl. One thing to be taken care of is that the baya reaches the girl's in-laws home, where the girl has gone during the course of the day, before the evening. The baya is given to the mother-in-law after the manasna. If the mother-in-law is not present, then the eldest lady in the house is presented with the baya. Sometimes, the elder one chooses to take only the perishable items, and leaves cash and clothes for the mother-in-law., The baya can be accepted by widows also.

On the eve of Diwali people decorate their houses with candles and lamps. Rich and Poor, young and old all work hard and save for this night. People buy new clothes, new kitchenware and other things. Special fireworks are displayed. everything is made clean and shiny.

On Diwali's eve people worship the goddess of wealth Lakshmi. They distribute sweets among family, friends and neighbours.

Diwali is the story of victory of goodness over evil. Truth is power, Truth is goodness and truth is beauty, that is what Diwali tells us.

Many thousands of years ago, there was a powerful, kind and generous king in India. His name was King Dashrath. He had three wives, from these three wives he had four sons. The eldest son was Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Shatrughana and the youngest son was Bharat.

The King promised his youngest wife three wishes if she was ever in trouble and the king would fulfill them. The king was growing old and had decided to hand over his kingdom to Lord Rama. When the youngest queen heard this news she got jealous and called in her two wishes. The King did not know what she was going to ask. He asked her for he first wish

The kings hands were tied, he had promised to fulfill her wish but was heartbroken after what she had asked. He granted her wishes and Lord Rama was exiled for fourteen years. His wife Sitaji and his brother Lakshmana accompanied him.

One day whilst Lord Rama and Lakshmana were out searching for food the demon King Ravana disguised himself as a beggar and kidnapped Sitaji to his country. Lord Rama and Lakshmana returned to find that Sitaji had been kidnapped.

Lord Rama managed to amass an army led by a monkey king called Lord Hanumana, they fought a brave and successful war against King Ravana and his army. Lord Rama killed Ravana and rescued Sitaji. Once they had defeated Ravana their fourteen year exiled had been served, they all returned to Ayodhya. His youngest brother Bharat , gave up his throne and gave it to the rightful heir, Lord Rama. The people of the land rejoiced and lit lights to celebrate his return. Every year this day is celebrated as Diwali.

Dhan -Teras takes place two days before Diwali, some time in October / November, in honour of Dhanavantri, the physician of Gods and an incarnation of Vishnu.

Legend : According to the legend, when Gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrut or nectar, Dhanavantri emerged carrying a jar of the elixir.

Practice : On this day, new utensils are used. New dhan or some form of precious metal is bought as a sign of good luck. This is known as Lakshmi after the goddess, and is worshipped.

Date : A family festival, it is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin (October / November).

Legend/s : Deepavali or Diwali, the most pan-Indian of all Hindu festivals, is a festival of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word Deepavali literally means rows of diyas (clay lamps).

This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. Another view is that Deepavali is meant to celebrate the destruction of the arrogant tyrant Bali at the hands of Vishnu when the latter appeared in his Vamana (dwarf) avatar.

Practice : Twinkling oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across the country. The goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is also worshipped on this day. This festive occasion also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is worshipped in most Hindu homes. Houses across the country are scrubbed till they are spotlessly clean, and whitewashed with fresh white paint. To enhance their new look, they are decorated with bright paper lanterns, diyas and flowers, while the girls of the house embellish the aangan (courtyard) and walls with traditional aesthetic designs and patterns called Rangolis. New clothes are bought and the family gathers together to offer prayers, distribute sweets and light up their homes. Crackers and fireworks illuminate the sky and people pray for a prosperous coming year. In West Bengal, the Deepavali festival is celebrated as Kali Pooja and Kali, Shiva's consort is worshipped on this day.

Diwali - The Festival of Lights

Diwali is a major festival of the Hindu religion.

Meaning
Diwali word has been derived from the word Deepavali, a Sanskrit word, meaning a row of lights. During Diwali, lamps are lit everywhere.
It is celebrated on four consecutive days, as follows.

	According to the Hindu Lunar Calendar
Dhanatrayodashi	The thirteenth day (trayodashi) of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin.
Narak chaturdashi	The fourteenth day (chaturdashi) of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin.
Lakshmipujan / Diwali	The new moon day (Amavasya) of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin.
Balipratipada	The first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Kartik.

Some exclude the thirteenth (Dhanatrayodashi) and consider only the remaining three days as Diwali. Since Vasubaras and Bhaubij respectively precede and follow Diwali, they are included in it. However, in reality they are separate holy festivals.

Significance and Celebration of Diwali

The thirteenth day (trayodashi) of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin

It is also called Dhanatrayodashi or in colloquial language, Dhanteras. The Hindu commercial year is comprised of the period between one Dhanatrayodashi and another. Businessmen worship their treasuries and begin new account books on this day.

Worship of the deity Dhanvantari: According to Ayurveda (ancient Indian medical science), it is the birthday of the deity Dhanvantari, the deity bestowing immortality. Hence, it is also called Dhanvantari jayanti. On this day, Ayurvedic doctors (vaidyas) worship Him by making a sacred offering (prasad) of small pieces of neem leaves and sugar to visitors. Besides the fact that neem leaves are very good for health (chewing five to six of them everyday helps prevent malady), they also have the highest ability to absorb prajapati frequencies.

Offering of lamps: On this day, one performs Yamadipadan, that is, an offering of lamps to Lord Yama to prevent untimely death. Thirteen lamps made of wheat flour and lit with oil should be placed outside the house, facing southwards (direction of Lord Yama), in the evening. A lamp is never kept facing southwards except on this day. Then, reciting the following mantra one should offer obeisance: "I offer these thirteen lamps to the son (Lord Yama) of the Sun deity (Surya), so that He liberates me from the clutches of death and bestows His blessings."

Significance and Celebration of Diwali

The fourteenth day (chaturdashi) of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin

Significance and Celebration of Diwali

The new moon day (Amavasya)of the month of Ashwin

Generally, the new moon day is considered inauspicious; however, this day is an exception to the rule. Since it is still not auspicious for all events, it is more appropriate to call it a day of happiness rather than an auspicious day.

The deities Lakshmi and Kuber are worshipped on this new moon day. Lakshmi is the deity of wealth, but Kuber is the treasurer. Some people possess the art of earning money but do not know how to save it. However, saving money and spending it appropriately is far more important than earning it. Since most people do not know how to spend money properly, their spending is unwarranted and ultimately, and they become bankrupt. Kuber is the deity Who teaches the art of saving money as He Himself is the treasurer. Therefore, in this ritual, the worship of Lakshmi and Kuber has been recommended. Though all people celebrate this festival, the business community in particular does so with great enthusiasm and splendor. The celebration of this proceeds as follows:

	An auspicious bath (abhyangsnan): Bath with an oil massage is recommended on all the three days from Narak chaturdashi to Balipratipada. One should wake up early in the morning and take an oil bath. With an ordinary bath the raja and tama components decrease by 1/100,000% and the sattva component increases by the same amount for a duration of only three hours. However, with the oil bath it lasts for four to five hours. An oil bath consists of an oil massage to facilitate the absorption of oil by the skin, followed by a warm water bath. Oil should be applied to retain elasticity of the skin. Warm water is auspicious and pleasing to the body. Bathing after an oil massage retains only that amount of oiliness that the skin and hair require. Hence, an oil massage is necessary before a bath. Application of oil after a bath is inappropriate.
	Lakshmipujan: On this day, one performs Lakshmipujan, that is, worship of deity Lakshmi, the deity of prosperity. After an auspicious bath at dawn, one should worship the deities. In the afternoon, a rite for the departed souls (parvanshraddha) and an offering of meals to Lord Brahma (who created the Universe) is done and in the evening, in a pandal decorated with creepers and leaves, Lakshmi, Vishnu, Kuber, and other deities are worshipped in the following manner. A statue or picture of Lakshmi should be installed on a seat on which either an octapetalled lotus or a svastik is drawn with consecrated rice (akshata). Next to Her, a statue of Kuber is placed on a pot (kalash). Then, all these deities are offered a sacrament (prasad) of a mixture of coagulated cow's milk (khava), sugar, cardamom and cloves. Then, items like coriander, jaggery, and corn from parched, uncleaned rice, sugar candies (battase), etc., are offered to Lakshmi and distributed to friends. The Puranas (Hindu spiritual texts) narrate that on this night, Lakshmi enters the ideal home, which besides being clean, is inhabited by men who are faithful, dutiful, merciful, righteous, have control over passions and are devotees of God, and women who are virtuous and chaste.
	Cleaning the house: Development of virtues gains importance only if in the process, defects are overcome. Just as one makes efforts to acquire wealth (Lakshmi), poverty (alakshmi) should be destroyed. To signify that, on this day a new broom is bought. It is called Lakshmi. At midnight one should sweep the house with that broom, accumulate the garbage in a dustpan and throw it out. This is called 'driving off' of alakshmi (garbage - poverty). Sweeping the house and throwing the garbage out at night is forbidden on other days.
	Decoration with lit lamps: Lamps should be lit both inside and outside the house on all the evenings of Divali. This gives the house a decorative look and generates enthusiasm and joy. Earthen lamps lit with oil are more decorative and soothing than a string of electric bulbs. This is in alignment with the Vedic teaching that one should go from darkness (spiritual ignorance) to light (spiritual knowledge.). Offering lit lamps attracts Lakshmi. Each and everyone should celebrate the religious festival of Dipavali with enthusiasm so that Lakshmi perpetually inhabits one's home and one is enlightened with spiritual knowledge. This helps to maintain happiness and prosperity in the family.
	Decoration with lanterns (akashkandil): The lantern should be hung outside the house on a tall pole. The pole should be held in the ground by burying its base and the lantern should be hung on it with the help of a string. This lantern should be displayed from the eleventh day (ekadashi) of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashvin till the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik. To gain prosperity, the lantern should be ritualistically installed, repeating the mantra : "I am offering this lantern along with the lamp to The Supreme Almighty Damodar. May He endow me with prosperity."
	Rangoli: The word rangoli is derived from the Sanskrit word 'rangavali' (an array of colors). Thus, a design created by a pinch of hand, allowing the powder of a special soft white stone to flow freely is called rangoli. Rangoli is an art, which precedes sculpture and painting. It is both an auspicious and a preliminary necessity in any religious ritual. The two aims of drawing rangoli are revelation of beauty and acquisition of auspiciousness. It is a practice to draw rangoli at the site of any auspicious religious ritual such as a holy festival, a religious festival, an auspicious function, ritualistic worship, a vowed religious observance, etc. When performing the act of moving lit lamps about the face for someone (aarti), rangoli is drawn around a wooden seat (pat) on which he is seated and also in front of him. At public functions also during a meal rangoli is drawn around a wooden seat and the plate or leaf on which the meal is served. During Diwali various rangoli designs are drawn at the doorstep and decorated with different colours. In the ancient times it was a practice to sweep and sprinkle every doorstep with cow-dung everyday and draw rangoli. Rangoli is drawn with powder obtained by pounding a cleavable and lustrous mineral (shirgola). Rangoli powder is generally coarse. As a result, it is easily released with a pinch. After smearing the ground with cow-dung, one should not forget to draw at least four lines of rangoli on it. Ground smeared with cow-dung but not decorated with rangoli is said to be inauspicious. When sweeping the floor or smearing with cow-dung, subtle lines are created on it. These possess certain frequencies. Since these lines are irregular, their vibrations, too, are irregular. These are harmful to body, eyes and mind as well. To overcome these unfavorable frequencies, if cones and auspicious symbols are drawn systematically with rangoli on the smeared floor, then the ill effects of sweeping and smearing are overcome and favorable results are obtained.

Significance and Celebration of Diwali

The first day (pratipada) of thebright fortnight of the month of Kartik

This is the half among the three-and-a-half auspicious moments (sadhe teen muhurtas). It is called Balipratipada, as King Bali was stripped of his kingdom and sent to the netherworld, as a punishment for making offerings unto the undeserving. Hence, a picture of King Bali and his queen is drawn with rangoli on the floor, decorated with five colors and worshipped. Then for the sake of Bali's generosity, lamps and clothes are donated.

On this day, after an early morning bath with an oil massage (auspicious bath), women move lit lamps in front of their husbands' faces. In the afternoon, one feasts on a meal with delicacies. People don new attire and celebrate the whole day through. There is also a practice of worshipping the mountain Govardhan (Govardhan puja) on this day, by making a heap of cow-dung and tucking durva (a sacred grass) and flowers into it. Images of Lord Krishna, the cowherds, Lord Indra, cows and calves are arranged alongside and also worshipped. Then, all the images are taken out in a procession, to commemorate Lord Krishna's saving the cowherds and their herds from torrential rains by holding up the mountain Govardhan like an umbrella over them, with His finger.

	Lakshmi is the energy associated with Lord Vishnu.
	Lakshmi is derived from Lakshma, which means a symbol. It is not possible to point out exactly which symbol represents Lakshmi and from which symbol She may be perceived.
	A substitute for Lakshmi is the word "Shri" or "Shree", which means decoration or luster. Since the word Shri or Shree is derived from the symbol svastik, it seems quite likely that the symbol representing Lakshmi must be the svastik. One comes across both the words Shri and Lakshmi in the Rugveda. The Shrisukta, an appendix of the Rugveda, is quite famous. Deity Lakshmi is worshipped with the Shrisukta itself.' 'Shri' is the deity of fortune.
	Vedic literature has described the expansive form of Shri or Lakshmi as the deity who 'enriches (shrimant)' by endowing with prosperity, wealth, health and longevity, progeny and continuation of the family tree, abundant food grain, servants, well-equipped servitors, etc.
	The book in Her hand symbolizes the Vedas, that is, spiritual knowledge.
	Meaning of the lotus and rising sun: 'An in depth meaning has been attached to the blossoming of the lotus with the touch of the rising sun. The sun is the representative of the dyu region [dyulok - a part of heaven (svargalok)], while the earth is his consort. The implied meaning of this is that the union of heaven and the earth gives birth to the universe as the fetus. In this way sages have associated the earth, that is, Shri, Who has the capacity to reproduce, with the lotus.'

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