Each country has its own ethnic holidays, which the population is proud of. This is part of the culture, an event thanks to which you can learn many interesting facts about the state, its history and formation. Such celebrations are known throughout the world, and often tourists come specially to this or that power to see firsthand everything that is happening. Diwali festival in India is one of such celebrations. Diwali or Deepavali is a festival of lights and is dedicated to the goddess of happiness and wealth Lakshmi. It is a symbol of the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Deepavali is considered the main Hindu festival, which is celebrated everywhere in India.
What the event looks like
Diwali festival in India is associated with fireworks and lights. From Sanskrit, its name is translated as a cluster of fire, which is why on the days when the event takes place, the rural and city streets are illuminated by thousands of fireworks and lights. Explosions of rockets, crackers and firecrackers are discharged in the air. Statues of the gods and streets of settlements are decorated with lighted candles and flickering lanterns (Deepa).
Throughout the celebration, people adhere to old traditions - Indians dress up in new toilets, clean their homes, put lighted oil lamps near the entrances to houses , and decorate the thresholds with garlands of flowers. On such days, it is necessary to refrain from five basic vices: greed, lust, predisposition, anger and ego, which means the purification of one's own words, actions and thoughts.
In today's India, Diwali is considered to be a New Year's holiday. As a rule, it falls in late October - early November. The celebration coincides with the arrival of winter and the end of the period of monsoon rains. The exact date of the celebration is affected by the location of the moon, so every year it takes place on different days.
The legend of the holiday
The festival of Diwali in India began to be celebrated several centuries ago. Many different legends are associated with such a wonderful event. Thus, there is a belief that the festival has the closest relationship to the victory of Krishna over Narakasura - a demonic being who was engaged in the abduction of Indian princesses. God Krishna managed to defeat the demon, and in honor of this the people greeted him with lit lanterns, torches and lamps. It is from here that the custom arose to light oil lanterns, torches, fireworks and candles everywhere that are close to statues of sacred animals and gods.
According to other Jewish legends, Diwali is associated with the goddess Lakshmi. On the eve of the event, people paint the walls on her honor, purchase ritual accessories, products and gold so that Lakshmi in return gives them wealth and abundance.
There is an opinion that Diwali is a celebration in honor of the glorification of the god Rama, the celebration of his ascension to the throne, as well as a just and wise reign.
Territorial features of Deepavali
Diwali festival in India is distinguished by its features in each territory. In the western part of the country on this day it is customary to clean apartments and jobs. And in the evening, the windows of private mansions and shops glow with all kinds of electrical appliances, lamps and lanterns.
People who believe that Diwali is connected with Lakshmi also carry out a general cleaning on the day of the holiday, pray, light fires and give gifts to the goddess in the form of milk with coins dipped in it. At night, the doors and windows are not locked so that the goddess can freely enter the housing if she wants to.
In South India, they believe that Deepavali is an event dedicated to the victory of Krishna over the demon. On this day, every Hindu puts coconut oil on his body, comparing the ritual with bathing in the sacred river Ganges and deliverance from sins.
But in the east of the country on such a significant day they worship the goddess Kale, who personifies the cult of power. For ten days they pray and bow before the images of the deity, and then immerse them in ponds.
Festival customs
The festival of Diwali lights in India lasts for five days. At this time, the whole country turns into a colorful and unforgettable fire show. The hearts of people illuminate the lights of celebration not only with colorful shades, but also with good, because these days it is customary to present gifts, help those in need and, in general, pay attention to everyone around. On no other holiday in India give as many gifts as they do in Deepavali. Owners of grocery stores in honor of the festival arrange sales for people who cannot afford to buy expensive food at other times. It is customary to treat neighbors with all kinds of sweet delicacies.
In the period of Diwali, it is customary to spend money on neighbors, acquaintances and friends. Especially popular are the coins that depict the deities Lakshmi and Ganesha. Various outlandish souvenirs, jewelry and art objects are also popular. Dried fruits and sweets these days are sold and presented in a variety of baskets. With the help of such surprises, people show respect and love for their dear and close people. During the festivities, no one should be left without attention or deprived.
First day of the festival
Diwali, the festival of light and fire in India, as already mentioned, is celebrated for five days, each of which is dedicated to a certain legend. So, the first day is the most important and it is called Dhanvantari. This is the main incarnation of Vishnu. The Hindus are sure that the main deity appeared on this day and presented them with the nectar of immortality. Ayurvedic knowledge was that very nectar. The first day of the festival is a period of prayer, health and sacrifice: a ritual offer of food (puja) to the god Vishnu is performed.
Second day activities
What Diwali holiday in India means, we have already explained, and now we will explain what events take place during the second day of the celebration. It was at this time, according to legend, that Krishna defeated Narakasura. In the morning, it is customary to bathe with branches of apomarga. A large leader, the head of the country or the mayor of a village is obliged to light a lamp in the Krishna temple, thus marking poverty and peaceful prosperity among his subjects. In some regions, people apply cinnabar stripes on their foreheads, because it is believed that having plucked a demon, Krishna smeared his face with his blood. The second day of the holiday is filled with the joy of purification.
Lakshmi puja - the third day of celebrations
Photos of the Diwali holiday in India are presented in our description. In it we will also tell how the third day of the festival goes. This is the time when they worship the gods Ganesha and Lakshmi. Ganesha is a deity with an unusual appearance: the head of an elephant sits on a human body and there are two pairs of hands. God is the personification of success, wisdom and prosperity.
Lakshmi is the goddess of welfare. On Lakshmi Puja Day, lights are lit in the houses that attract wealth, peace and good fortune. Believers are aware of the life experiences they have experienced.
The last two days
We have already examined the general significance of the Diwali holiday in India, now we will find out what the last two days of this celebration mean. Govardhan Puja, the fourth day of the festival, is of particular importance for the population of the northern regions. This is the day of remembrance of Krishna, who protected people from Indra. Govardhana is the name of a small hill in Brajd. On holiday, it is decorated with garlands and flowers. The night before, people are in the temple, and in the morning they cook many, many foods, which they then offer to Krsna.
Bhau-bij - the fifth day is usually celebrated in the company of sisters and brothers. The sisters pray for the brothers' luck, for which they shower them with compliments and treat them with sweets. On this day, Brother and sister Yama and Yami meet each other. The pit is a symbol of the sun, and Yami is the moon.
Celebrate together
Diwali holiday in India in 2016 began to be celebrated on October 30. The fact that this is a Hindu event does not mean that you cannot participate in it. This year is already late, but the next year, the beginning of Deepavali falls on October 19, and you can arrange such a celebration for yourself.
Before organizing a holiday, you should study the detailed information about it: read literature, watch films dedicated to the celebration. Then you need to go shopping. In India, as a rule, they buy jewelry and utensils. You can buy gifts for yourself and people you love.
Before the first day of the celebration, it is necessary to do a general cleaning in the house and in the office. Wash everything dirty, disassemble the documentation, clean up the room. Entrance to the housing must be decorated with a multi-colored pattern of rangoli or elements with it. You can hang bells, tapestries, LED flashlights, flower garlands and other decorations. If you succeed, you can buy wooden, ready-made rangoli - wooden ornaments painted with traditional Indian ornaments. After all this, you can light the lanterns, launch firecrackers and try to feel the real atmosphere of the Indian Diwali.