Deepavali

Deepavali, often shortened to Diwali, is a major Indian festival that is very significant in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional dīpa or deeya (earthen lamp, as illustrated). Fireworks are associated with the festival. Diwali is a colloquial name used in North India, while the festival is formally called Deepavali in South India.

Deepavali is celebrated for five consecutive days at the end of Hindu month of Ashwayuja. It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals in India. Deepavali comes exactly twenty days after Dussehra. Hindus and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. For Hindus it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the year in some Hindu calendars. There are several beliefs regarding the origin of the holiday. The most repeated version is that Hindus celebrate Deepavali to mark the time when Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. Some also view it as the day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura or in honor of the day Bali went to rule the nether-world, obeying the order of Vishnu. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith. In India, Deepavali is now considered to be more of a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless.

Hindus all across the world celebrate the festival of diwali with great enthusiasm and joy. This five day festival brings lot of excitement, cheer and happiness in people’s life. Diwali represents the triumph of good over evil. On diwali, people decorate home in their best possible way to welcome the goddess lakshmi.

The above source is adapted from here

Few Diwali Decoration Ideas:

·         Women prepare colorful rangolis on the floor of their entrance to welcome goddess lakshmi. With vibrant colors, rice flour, turmeric, pulses, you can prepare magnificent pieces of rangoli. You would be glad to know that rangoli is considered as a luck symbol. You can place earthen diya at the center of rangoli to beautify its overall look.

·         Candles also add to the decor of your home on the occasion of diwali. You can buy aroma candles to beautify the interiors of your home. Cylindrical candles can serve the purpose for your balcony, staircase and windowsill. You can arrange assortment of diyas and candles at the entrance gate to welcome guests and goddess lakshmi.

·         Diyas are the traditional way of illuminating homes. Wide varieties of diyas are available in markets these days, so decorate your home and premise with beautiful diyas to make the interiors and exteriors attractive and appealing.

·         Torans are great way to decorate home on diwali. Always place the torans prepared from mango leaves on the main door of your home as they are considered auspicious. You should also hang ‘shubh laabh’ hanging on the door.

Safe Diwali :

We all want to have safe diwali. It is true that lot of people love to burst crackers on this holy festival, but if precautions are not taken, it can result into any mishap. So explore this article that guides you about certain precautions while bursting crackers to enjoy safe diwali!

1. Before bursting crackers, make sure they are placed in open grounds and there are no inflammatory or combustible objects nearby. Keep 2 bucket full of water handy along with first aid kit. Dump all the waste as well as the burned crackers in one bucket. In case of any fire or mishap, pour water from bucket to control the flames.
2. Always make use of incense stick or along firewood branch or candle to light up the crackers. Make sure you maintain good distance between you and crackers. In any case, avoid using lighters or match sticks for burning crackers as they have open flames and can prove dangerous.
3. Buy crackers only from license and reliable crackers seller to ensure full safety. If you plan to burn any new variety of cracker, make sure you read the instruction first written at the back of the packet.
4. When bursting crackers like rockets; avoid facing any open window, door or any open building gate. Remember if rocket zoom in the, it may cause fire accidents.
5. Always remember if crackers takes time to ignite, do not keep in trying to burst them. Move away immediately and throw some water to diffuse them.

Above source is adapted from here

Here you can Diwali Laxmi Puja Procedure or details of steps in Diwali Lakshmi Puja. Laxmi Pooja is the main ritual during the festive days of Diwali or Deepavali. Diwali 2010 Laxmi Pooja date is November 5th, 2010. The day of Lakshmi puja is devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Sri Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Along with the puja of Goddess Mahalakshmi, on this day Lord Ganesha, Lord Kuber and Goddess Saraswati are also worshipped.

Diwali Laxmi Puja procedure – How To observe or perform Simple Lakshmi Puja?

• Take a new cloth (sanctified cloth) and spread on a plain platform.
• Place some rice or other grains in the centre and on this place a bronze or other metallic pot (Kalash). The Kalash should be filled till its neck with water. Keep a betel nut, flowers, coins, and some grains in it.
• Place five types of leaves or mango leaves in the pot or Kalash.
• Keep a small plate on the Kalash and fill it with rice and draw a lotus or Swastik with turmeric powder (haridrika choornam or haldi) over the rice grains along with coins the idol of Goddess Laxmi is installed.
• Just near Kalash, on the right (South-West direction), install the idol of Lord Ganesha. Make sure to place pens and books and the other stuff related to your business or profession on the base.
• Light a diya (deepak / deepam / lamp) and incense sticks and begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum and flowers and consecrated rice (Akshita) to the base on which the pot or Kalash is installed.
• Sprinkle water on all Puja Dravyas (utensils and puja items) that are in Kalash in order to sanctify them. Prepare Panchamrit with five basic ingredients – milk, ghee, curd, sugar and honey.
• Begin the puja procedure with Ganesha puja. Perfrom Ganesh puja to remove obstacles. Recite Ganesh mantras and Ganesh Aarti.
• Then invoke Goddess Lakshmi by chanting the Laxmi Stotras. Offer flowers and consecrated rice to the Goddess.
• Offer ‘Abhisheka (bath) to the idol with water and panchamrit and after that repeat the Abhishek with water containing gold ornament or a pearl.
• Then offer sandal paste, haldi and kumkum to the Goddess. Offer Naivedya (food offerings) to the Goddess such as cocnut, banana, other fruits and sweets.
• As a final step, perform the Aarti to Goddess Lakshmi
• Take theerth and prasad and distribute them to all the devotees, family members, friends and relatives.Light the diyas / deepaks / lamps / candles all over the house. Dont leave a single corner in darkness.

Few Lakshmi  Strotras:

Diwali is celebrated to invite Goddess Lakshmi to our homes. Lakshmi Puja is also observed during Diwali. To perform the puja, some devotees recite much complex mantras but some complete the puja with simple Lakshmi stotras or slokas. Here are some simple Lakshmi stotras for Diwali.

“Sarvagyay Sarvavarday Sarvadushtbhaydkree
Sarvadukhaharay Devi Mahalakshmi Namostutay”

“Siddhi Buddhipraday Devi Bhuktimuktipradayeenee
Mantramurtay Sada Devi Mahalakshmi Namostutay”

“Aadhantarhitay Devi Aadhshakti Maheshwari
Yogajay Yogasambhutay Mahalakshmi Namostutay”

“Sthulsukshmay Maharodray Mahashakti Mahodray
Mahapaapharay Devi Mahalakshmi Namostutay”

“Padnaasanstithay Devi Parbrahmaswaroopeenee
Parmashree Jaganmatra Mahalakshmi Namostutay”

Source adapted from : hindu-pad.com