Diwali or Deepavali 2021

Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus.  It is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout India.  With this festival are associated so many lore and legends.  It marks the victory of Rama over Ravana.  As a matter of fact, Diwali is the symbol of the victory of the forces of good over evil.

Diwali Festival Date : Diwali Festival Celebrated On November 4 2021

 

On the day of Diwali, there are hectic activities all over the country.  People call and invite their nearest and dearest ones.  On this festival, sweets are made and distributed among friends and relatives.  People indulge in fun and frolic on the day of Diwali.  Young and the old, high and low wear new clothes on this day.  Children and teenagers are dressed in their most glittering and dazzling dresses.

At the same time, during night, fireworks and crackers are also let off.  The bright flames of the fire-works present and exquisite sight in the dark night.  The festival wears a lovely look Everyone is very glad, gay and mirthful.

Some celebrate it in the most enthusiastic way.  Some indulge in gambling.  Gambling, according to gamblers, forms a part of Diwali festival and whosoever does not gamble, becomes a donkey in his next life.  At night the people illumine their houses, walls and terraces with earthen pots.  These glittering lights in the darkness of night present a bewitching spectacle.  Apart from houses, public buildings and government offices are also lit up. The scene of lights and illuminations is very enchanting.

Diwali festival is the festival of the whole country.  It is celebrated in every nook and corner of the country.  Thus, this festival also creates a sense of oneness among the people.  It becomes the symbol of unity.  India has been celebrating for ages.  Indians consider it both historical and religious.

Lakshmi Puja

‘Lakshmi Puja’ is performed at nights.  The Hindus worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth on this day.  They pray so that Goddess Lakshmi may visit their houses.

On the day Lakshim Puja is performed, it is extremely important to keep the house spotlessly clean and pure.  According to the Hindu mythology, Goddess lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she visits the cleanest house first.  This is also the reason why the broom is worshiped on this day with offerings of haldi and Kumkum (turmeric and vermilion).  Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess.  Hindus are believed to light up her path.

Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities

Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta; Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Maheswaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali; Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshipped.

All the Hindu households hold their private puja.  Small idols of Lord Ganesh and goddess lakshmi are brought.  In the holy books, there is an elaborate description of the rituals that have to be performed.  In absolute cleanliness and with total devotion, the rituals are carried out in each household and business place to appease the Goddess.  The whole family sits together at the feet of the Goddess while the worship is going on.

Lakshmi is the Goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth.  While Lakshmi is generally worshipped to achieve success, she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy or desires her only as wealth.  However, she is the one everybody craves for but very few can have her.  Lakshmi puja is held with much pomp and splendour to appease her.  After all the very word Lakshmi is synonym of wealth in Hindi language.

Celebrate after Diwali Puja

Once the worship part is over, crackers are burst to celebrate Diwali.  According to the tradition, crackers are supposed to be burst only after the rituals are over, but children hardly follow this tradition.  Their eagerness and excitement is at the peak.  Many traditional dishes are prepared and there is a custom of meeting all the elders after performing the puja to seek their blessings.