The day is drawing to a close, it is getting dark, but what is happening? sunlight is gradually replaced by the lights of many lanterns, garlands, lamps and lamps of the most incredible shapes and colors - this is in India today one of the most beautiful and ancient Vedic holidays on Earth began - Diwali (or Deepavali), which in Sanskrit means "Fiery bunch".

Diwali lasts 5 days and has been celebrated for over 7,000 years. This is a very colorful festival, which is accompanied by a huge number of lights, flowers, processions, rituals, chants, rangoli, sweets and gifts. Many legends are associated with it, one of which says that a fiery festival was held in honor of the return of Prince Rama and his coronation. According to another version, the holiday began to be celebrated as a commemoration of the country's emergence from darkness during the reign of Rama, in gratitude for his wisdom. However, all legends and versions agree on one thing - Diwali symbolizes victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, following the right path of development and purification.

The timing of Diwali was not chosen by chance. As in many other cultures in antiquity, it was believed that the period from late October to early November, being at the junction of the seasons and the transition from one season to another, is the most energetically or spiritually charged of the year.

Traditions of the festival of lights

Diwali carries with it a number of spiritual traditions. The main ones are cleansing and tidying up your home, body and mind. Houses on this day are especially decorated and cleaned. Illuminated with bright and colorful lights, symbolizing the light of the mind. The light burns constantly - like awareness, which should always be present in our life.

Deepavali is a holiday of unity, merging with the Light. This is a wonderful time to light up more light in your soul, to light the “wicks” of spirituality, knowledge, love, and abundance brighter. Illuminate all your talents, virtues and gain strength in order to maintain this fire, as well as leave in the past everything that is outdated, negative and enter into new life a renewed person.

It is believed that in Deepavali it is good to pay bills, and not only financial, but also karmic, leave bad habits, give gifts and donate. Many merchants in India consider this day to be the beginning of the new year, they correct things for it, put in order the accounts.

On the days of the holiday, they try to cleanse thoughts, deeds, words and attitudes, refrain from 5 such human vices as anger, passion, greed, lust, attachment. Regular meditation practices help cleanse both body and soul.

To cleanse the body, they bathe in the starlight before sunrise (bathing in the Ganges). New dishes are being prepared, new clothes are being put on, thereby showing their readiness to move forward, to renew themselves. In clothes, it is good to use gold color, gold threads as a symbol of the transition from Kali Yuga ( old clothes, thinking, behavior) to the Satya Yuga - the Golden Age, the era of harmony and purity.

In every region of India, the celebration of Diwali has its own characteristics. For some parts of the country and population groups, especially for the trading communities of Western India, Diwali is considered the beginning of the New Year. Therefore, for most Indian businesses, the 1st day of the festival is also the beginning of the financial year.

In most of India, Diwali is dedicated to the Goddess of Wealth and Abundance Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. The houses are carefully cleaned, all the lights are lit, since the Goddess does not like the dark, they turn to her with prayer, bring her milk, in which coins are dipped, and leave the doors and windows open at night so that it is easier for her to enter the house.

In the South of India, in Diwali, they celebrate the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. On this day of the victory of good over evil, the Hindus abundantly lubricate themselves with coconut oil, which cleanses them from sins, since this ceremony is considered equal in value to bathing in the sacred Ganges.

In the East of India, and especially in Bengal, Diwali is dedicated to the worship of the black Goddess Kali, who personifies the cult of power. On this occasion, prayers are made in front of the images of the Goddess for ten days, and then these images are immersed in the waters of rivers or ponds.

Features of the celebration of Diwali in different regions of India and in the world

Kumaon
The main ingredient of the festive dishes is rice. Camphor is used in night pujas. Lakshmi is revered and is depicted in sandalwood.

Rajasthan
Here, as well as in Kumaon, Lakshmi is worshiped. But there is a peculiarity - gourmet dishes must be offered to cats. A positive sign if the animal eats all the food offered.

Bihar
This state belongs to worshipers on the feast of fires of the Goddess Kali. The most auspicious coconut dishes.

Gujarat
There is a name for the holiday - Badhavsar. On this day, salt is purchased for a long time.

Maharashtra
Yama, the deity of the Sun, who is the twin of the Moon, is worshiped.

Andhra
On the holiday, not only people swim, but also buffaloes. Decorations are made from paper.

Bengal
Here the holiday is called Mahanisha. It is believed that Maha Kali appeared on this very day, accompanied by 64,000 yogis.

Mysore
Diwali is also loved in Mysore. Mass sacred bathing takes place. Women wear the best jewelry.

Sri Lanka
Celebration in Sri Lanka is similar to Indian. Gorgeous and massive decorations are everywhere. The lamps are on all night. The difference is the dishes made from crystalline sugar.

Japan
The Japanese also wear new clothes, but it is believed that cleaning the house is unfavorable on this day. The holiday itself embodies progress, prosperity and longevity. Music sounds everywhere, houses are decorated and lit, there are lanterns and paper decorations on the trees.

Thailand
The name of the holiday in Thailand is different - Lam Kriyongha, but the time is similar - in October-November. Lamps (diyas) are made from the trunk of a banana tree. Together with candles and coins, they are sent down the river. Residents congratulate each other, give sweets.

Nepal
Diwali (Tihar in Nepali) is celebrated with great splendor for 5 days. Lots of sweets, clay lamps, delicious food. Massive fireworks launches and other holiday joys.

If you decide to join and mark this wonderful holiday at home, in addition to lighting fires, cleaning and new clothes, do not forget that our actions begin with our thoughts. And it is a positive attitude that helps to solve a lot in our life. 🙂

Happy Diwali!

India, with 5,000 years of challenging history and the second most populous in the world, is home to a multicultural people.

The belief systems of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism originated on the Indian Peninsula. Followers of these religions make up over 80% of the total population. For them Diwali is the main holiday in India.

Traditions and meaning of Diwali

Having a deep religious and symbolic meaning, Diwali - "Fire Festival", marks the victory of the forces of light, creation and knowledge over chaos, destruction and ignorance. In the fundamental religious trends of the country, true wisdom and light mean adherence to orthodox canons, and ignorance - apostasy, personifies darkness. Other good reasons for the holiday are the end of the harvest and the arrival of the New Year.

The celebration lasts 5 days and falls at the end of autumn, when winter begins after the monsoon season. The date of the holiday is determined by lunar calendar.

Any person can take part in the holiday, regardless of nationality and religion.

Indians put on new clothes, tidy up the house, decorate the entrance with flower garlands, and install lamps at the door.

In addition to physical purity, spiritual purity is required, the rejection of vices and passions. Lust, greed, anger, egocentrism, excessive love for the delights of the material world are not appropriate these days. To harmonize all levels of consciousness, meditation is performed. Each day of the celebration has its own history, ritual and traditions.

Day 1

God Dhanvantari, born from the ocean, brought the knowledge of Ayurveda to people. After taking a bath at sunset, the Hindus offer a burning lamp and prasadam (sacred food to offer) to Yamaraja, the deity personifying Death, with a request to prolong their existence.

Residents throw old things out of their homes, buy jewelry and utensils, puffed rice and sugar figurines are an indispensable part of the festive ceremony.

Day 2

Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, freeing the world from terror.

The participants of the holiday do a relaxing oil massage of the body, bathe and rest, gaining energy for the celebration. Firecrackers are launched.

Day 3

The apogee of the holiday. They pay homage to the Goddess of Wealth and Happiness Lakshmi. Lamps illuminate her path and attract her to her home. In the temples bells are rung and drums are beaten, in the afternoon it is time for fireworks.

Day 4

Krishna created Govardhan Parvat Hill to protect people from Indra's wrath. The ministers of the sanctuaries wash the deities in milk and dress them in glittering garments with precious jewelry, ritual sweets are served, then offered to visitors.

Day 5

The final day of the celebrations is dedicated to the kinship of sisters and brothers. The brothers give gifts and congratulate the sisters, who pray for the brothers and treat them with festive food.

Everyone can these days personally contemplate and take part in Diwali, not necessarily in India, but also in the numerous Hindu and Buddhist communities rooted in a number of countries.

Differences in Diwali in different states

When holding Diwali, each state of the country has its own differences.

In the Western Provinces, the merchant communities are starting the new fiscal year. Festive illumination at night floods the surroundings of shops with light. From time immemorial, during this period, flotillas of ships loaded with goods were sent overseas.

In most states of the country, Vishnu's wife Lakshmi, the Goddess of Happiness, is offered milk with coins, doors and windows are opened at night so that she does not pass by the house.

In the southern states, Krishna's victory over the chaotic Narakasura is remembered. Hindus anoint the body with coconut oil, symbolically cleansing from sinful actions. The rite is comparable in power to the sacred immersion in the Ganges.

In Bengal, where the main temple of Kalighat (in English Calcutta) and a number of eastern states are located, a ritual is held in Diwali for Kali, the Goddess who personifies the power of eternal time, the destructive aspect of the creator Shiva. For ten days the adepts pray on a sacred object with the image of the Deity, after which the believers drink the sacred drink (wine or water) and immerse the relic into a reservoir.

In the north, Muslims celebrate Lakshmi's appearance with festive fire, playing cards and dice. Goddess Parvati, playing with her husband, promised: "Whoever plays for money on the night of Diwali will be lucky all year."

The rituals have deep meaning. A house illuminated with bright light means the presence of the light of the soul in it.

Burning lamps are a thinking creature that carries the basic primary elements - air, fire, earth, water and the universal ether. The manifestation of fire is the soul, and the fuel is spiritual food.

Knowing the traditions of holding folk festivals, one can better understand the country and the people living in it.

The Diwali holiday in India is accompanied by folk festivities, general fun, songs and dances, fireworks, firecrackers and fireworks that last until the morning.

No one is left hungry and neglected. Streets and temples, hung with luminous garlands, turn into spectacular installations that turn night into day. After all, where there is light, there is no evil!

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In Diwali days, certain traditions are observed, and each of these traditions has a spiritual meaning. DIVALI or DIPAVALI ("dipa" - fire, lamp, "wali" - many, ie "many lights", "fiery bunch")

Illumination of the house with lights means that the mind (light of the mind) is present. The clay lamps, which are called "Diya" ("Dipa"), symbolize the body, which is a combination of the five elements - earth, water, fire, air and space. This body is temporary. And the flame of Diya represents the soul (Atma), which, reaching a constant connection with the Supersoul (Paramatma), gives sparkling and bright rays. Oil is an invaluable ingredient - spiritual knowledge. To keep the flame always kindled is to be always aware. "I am the light, always associated with the Upper Light."

On this day, it is imperative for everyone to awaken from the deep sleep of ignorance and be connected with the Upper Light through meditation.

Diwali is also the time to pay bills, both financial and karmic. This is a time of special veneration for the Devata. New clothes, new dishes.

On Diwali, every house is lit with many lights. At this time, the books of old accounts are closed and new ones are started. This means the beginning of a new one. It also symbolizes the rejection of the bad.

People exchange congratulations and gifts. The distribution of sweets symbolizes the fact that speech, words should be sweet. Fire pujas mean that a person is ready to offer all his weaknesses to the fire.

Diwali is celebrated for three to five days, depending on the region and traditions:

Dhan means wealth and teras means the thirteenth day. This is a day of celebrations in honor of the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. In some regions of India, lamps are lit on this day in honor of the god Yamaraja, the god of death.

2. Second day. Chhoti Diwali (Little Diwali) or Narak Chaturdashi.

Hindus believe that on this day Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasura, freeing the whole world from fear. Fireworks usually start from that day.

It is actually the day of Diwali itself and the most important day of the holiday. If the house is not cleaned, this should be done at the beginning of the day, as a greeting to Goddess Lakshmi. On this day, it is customary to exchange gifts and sweets to strengthen love between family and friends. Fireworks go off in the afternoon.

4. Fourth day. Govardhan Puja (Balipratipada, Padiva, Govardhan Puja or Varshapratipada). November 8.

This is the day that Lord Krishna raised Govardhan Parvat to protect the people of Gokula from the wrath of Indra, and the day that King Vikramaditya was crowned.

5. The fifth and last day of Diwali - Bhai Duj, Bhai Duj. November 9. The last day of Diwali is dedicated to love between brothers and sisters. The sister puts the sacred red tilak on her brother's forehead and prays for his long life, while the brothers bless their sisters and give them gifts.

Diwali is a festival of lights. It is said that in the fire of lamps is the light of the sun, moon, stars and lightning. Light is divine, while darkness is the absence of God. On the night of Deepavali, millions of lamps are lit. Their light illuminates the homes and hearts of people, awakening in them the desire for God. The Vedas say: Tamaso ma jyotir gama "Do not remain in the darkness, go to the light." This path - from night to day - is the path of man's spiritual ascent, the path to the triumph of God in our soul.

Diwali is the most important Indian holiday, which marks the victory of good over evil according to the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, in which the god Rama defeated the demon king Ravana.

In Sanskrit, "Deepak" and "Vali" are translated as "line of lamps", where Deepak (Diya hind.) is a clay lamp with oil. The burning lamps symbolize the illumination of the way home on a moonless night for Rama after his victory over Ravana and 14 years of exile.

Diwali in 2019 will start on Sunday 27 October and will last 5 days until Thursday 31 October.

Diwali is a holiday of family reunification, the victory of truth over lies, purification. In many places, especially in northern India, as well as parts of the west, east and south, Diwali is considered a major holiday. In most of India, Diwali is dedicated to the goddess of wealth and fertility Lakshmi, the wife of the god Vishnu.

Traditions

Before the onset of Diwali, it is customary to clean the house, buy new clothes and gifts. Families visit temples and pray to the goddess of wealth Lakshmi for good luck and prosperity. The streets are decorated with lights, and people have fun and light fireworks.

Playing these days is another interesting tradition Diwali. And not only children, but also adults play. These can be charades, hide and seek, rummy, as well as card games. It is allowed to play cards even for money, but to bet a little. It is believed that the goddess Parvati played with her husband the god Shiva and stated that whoever gambles on the night of Diwali will prosper for the whole next year.

On the days of the holiday, Indians put on new clothes, gather to visit relatives and friends and exchange gifts.

In the business community, Diwali is considered the start of a new financial year.

Celebrating Diwali in India

Mythology and history

In different regions of India, there are different versions of its origin.

According to one of them, Diwali marks the return of the god Rama to his home in Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after defeating the demon king Ravana. According to the ancient epic Ramayana, Rama renounced his claims to the throne of Ayodhya and went into exile for 14 years, in which he was accompanied by his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. Beautiful Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, a powerful demonic ruler-Rakshasa of Lanka. To find his spouse, Rama had to overcome a long and difficult path, testing his strength and virtue. Determining where Ravana hid Sita, Rama fought against Ravana's large army. The demon king was defeated and Sita was freed. According to legend, it is believed that Rama, his wife and brother returned home in pitch darkness. And people lit the lamps (diy) to help them find their way.

According to another version, Diwali is celebrated in honor of the defeat of the evil king Narkasur. The pious king Naraka was the son of Bhu Devi and Varaha, who is considered one of the incarnations of Vishna. It was written for Naraka to die from the later avatar of Vishna, so the mother asked the gods for a long life and strength for her son. Naraka received immortality and powerful strength and became evil, since then the prefix "asura", which means "demon", was added to his name. He usurped territories belonging to the gods, kidnapped women and reveled in his power. Even the powerful Indra could not defeat him. Finally, Krsna was born. He married Satyabhama, who had a relative, Aditi. It was Aditi who asked Satyabhama to help people in the fight against Narkasur. Krishna agreed to help and attacked the demon king's fortress and defeated him in a terrible battle. It is believed that before his death, Narkasur asked Satyabhama, who was the incarnation of Bhu Devi, that everyone should celebrate their death with a bright flame. That is why on Diwali, people burn stuffed animals of the evil demon Narkasur, thanking Krishn for his victory.

In most of India, during the days of Diwali, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is especially revered. She is the consort of the god Vishnu, the guardian of the world. According to Indian mythology, the goddess was born in time immemorial, when the gods and demons were looking for the drink of immortality amrita in the milk ocean. Lakshmi emerged from the ocean in snow-white clothes with shining eyes and since then has always accompanied her husband Vishnu. One of her most revered forms is Dipalakshmi (literally translated as "Lakshmi with a lamp").

It is believed that in the days of Diwali, the goddess again descends from heaven and bypasses the earth. Every house is waiting for her, people are doing a spring cleaning in their houses to greet the beautiful Lakshmi.

In eastern India, especially in Bengal, Diwali is dedicated to the worship of the black goddess Kali, who personifies the cult of power. On the days of the holiday, they pray in front of the images of the goddess, and then immerse them in the waters of rivers and lakes.

Despite the fact that in different parts of India people believe in different origins of the origin of Deepavali, this holiday unites people and is widely celebrated throughout the country and Hindus beyond its borders.

Diwali features