Diwali Festival of Light
1,956 views · Published 22 October 2011 · 11:38 · Indexed 23 September 2026
Channel: Prakash Ketkar · 2011 · Nonprofits & Activism
Diwali is celebrated every year in the month of Aashawin and Kartik. This year we are celebrating it from 23rd October 2011 to 28th October 2011. 25th October is not as important as other Diwali festival days. It starts from Aashawin vadya dwaadashi. This day is also called as VasuBaaras. This year we are celebrating it on 23rd October 2011. Cow with a calf is worshiped on this day in the evening. Holy water is poured on the feet of Cow and Calf; garland is wearied on their neck, sandal wood, Turmeric-kumkam pigment is applied in between their eyes on the forehead, weaving of a lamp/pastil is performed, Gur (sweets) and new grain, corn is offered to them. Many good eatable things are offered to them. It is a custom i.e. pakodas made up of pulse are liked by cow and are offered. Kshirodaarnavasammbhoote suraasurnamaskrute I Sarvdevamaye maatargruhaanaarghyam namo namah II Meaning is as under. O Gomate! you are born when sea was churn by Gods and Demons from ocean of milk. You are worshiped by Gods and Demons. You are form of all Gods. I always bow to you many times; please accept my arghya, pooja. The second day is DhanaTrayodashi. It is celebrated on Aashawin vadya trayodashi. This year we are celebrating it on October 24, 2011. 1) Dipdaan (offering light to Yama who is God of death) is performed on this day. Prayer is made to Yama to bless us with healthy and longer life. 2) Dhanvantari (Doctor of all of us) is born on this day. He has given us a very valuable gift of Aayurveda on this day. Hence we also perform Dipdaan for honoring him on this day. 3) We also perform pooja of money, ornaments on this day and Dhane (spice seed) and Gula (raw sugar) is offered as prasada (a sweet dish) at the time of worship. Then we eat Prasad as divine gift. It is a family custom. 4) All ladies perform their Abhyanga Snaana (Special type of Bath) very early in the morning on this day. On this day we have to put on the Lamp/light for God Yam for his happiness. We recite following shokla at that time. Mrutyunaa pasha dandaabhyaam kaalen shyaamayaa saha I Trayodashyaam dipdaanaat surjayah priyataam mama II Meaning of the shokla is as under. I have given this Lamp to Yam who is the son of Sun. Let God Yam with Goddess Shyaamaa be pleased and give me blessings and fulfill my wishes.The third day is Narak-Chaturdashi. We celebrate it on Aashawin vadya Chaturdashi every year. This year we are celebrating it on October 26, 2011. Narakaasoor was a Demon who was troubling Gods, Rushies and People. They requested God ShriKrishna to kill the Demon Narkasoor. This is the day when the demon was killed however he was offered with a blessing that whosoever perform Abhyanga Snaana (Special type of Bath) very early in the morning on this day before Sunrise; will never go to Narak(hell) after his death. In the evening we have to light a lamp having four sides for the Gods-Demons-Guards of Narak (hell). We recite following Shokla at that time. Datto dipshchaturdashyaam narakapritaye mayaa I Chaturvartisamaayuktah sarvapaapaapanuttaye II Meaning is as under. I am giving this lamp for pleasing the Gods-Demons-Guards of Narak (hell). This lamp having light on four sides is given to them so that I will become free from all my sins.The next day is Aashawin amaavaasyaa. This year we are celebrating this day on 26th October 2011. In the evening we will be performing Lakshmi Pooja. Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped. Houses, Offices, Business places are specially decorated since this is a day when Goddess enters into the house pleased by worship, devotion and offerings made to her. People, Traders, Business men worship Goddess Lakshmi every where.Next day is Kartik shuddha Pratipada which is celebrated as Bali Pratipada. It is also called as Diwali Paadavaa. This year we are celebrating it on 27th October 2011. The day is called as Bali pratipada as on this day God Vaamana incarnation of God Vishnu sent Demon Bali in Patala (hell).The fifth day of Diwali is BhauBij. We celebrate it on Kartik Shuddha Dvitiyaa every year. This day is also called as YamDvitiya. This year we are celebrating it on 28th October 2011.Then Sister prays Markandeya Rushi with following Sholaka from PadmaPurana. Markandey mahabhaaga saptakalpajivitah I Chiranjivi yathaa tvam tathaa me bhraataram kuruh II
