Diwali Celebration
Diwali is a popular five day festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world. It’s a festival marked with pomp and color in honor of Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu wealth goddess. Each day of the festival is celebrated based on its own unique beliefs.
DAY 1- Dhanteras: Marked on the 13th day of the Kartik month in the Hindu lunar calendar. It is dedicated to the god of death, Lord Yamaraj. A special feature of the day is use of new utensils and lighting of Yama-diya at night. Diya are clay-lamp used for illuminating homes during Diwali festival.
DAY 2: Choti Diwali: Marked to celebrate the liberation of mankind from fear by Lord Krishna for killing Narakasur - the demon. The climax of the day is bathing and body oil massage. According to Hindus belief, those who don’t bathe during Choti Diwali will go to Nakar or hell.
DAY 3: Lakshmi Puja (Pooja)Badi Diwali: The Main day of the festival, commemorates Goddess Lakshmi, requesting for wealth and prosperity. The main activity of the day is cleaning and decorating of homes with torans and beautiful embellishments.
DAY 4: Govardhan: The day is dedicated to Lord Govardha in remembrance of the first pooja by Lord Krishna together with Vraja people requesting for protection against heavy rains.
DAY 5: Bhai Diy: It is celebrated in honor of brothers and sisters relations. This is where brothers visit their sisters and sisters prepare sweet goodies for their brothers. It is believed to bless both.