Origin of Diwali – a Festival of Joy

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Before dying, Naraka was blessed by Lord Krishna, which gave him Gyaana, the power of good knowledge. He prayed Krishna and asked for a wish that people should celebrate his death as a festival and should not forget him. Lord Krishna blessed him. This is how the festival diwali origined. It is also said as a festival to remove bad (darkness) from your heart, by lighting lamps of knowledge. Hence as a symbolic representation, everyone lights lamp in their home. Also it also teaches the moral, that a parent should punish their children, if they go on wrong path.

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The second day is Amavasya, the no moon day. This day, people perform Lakshmi pooja and offer prayers towards Goddess Lakshmi, who is the Goddess of wealth. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi would be in her benevolent mood on this day and she fulfill the wishes of her devotees. Also, some people believes that it is the day on which Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagara (Ocean of Milk), when the Gods and demons were churning the ocean for nectar (Amrit), which will make them to live forever.

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The third day is “Kartika Shudda Padyami.” The second day celebration is also associated with one more story saying as the day on which Lord Vishnu taught a lesson to a demon king called Bali, but later blessed him because of his good qualities. On this day (Kartika Shudda Padyami), it is believed that Bali would come out of Pathala Loka (underworld) and rule Bhuloka (Earth) as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as “Bali Padyami”.

The fourth day is referred to as “Yama Dvitiya.” On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes and serve them with special dishes and do poojas for their welfare.

In northern parts of India, Diwali is celebrated as the festival to mark return of Lord Ram along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman from his 14 years of exile after killing the demon king Ravana. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his people illuminated the entire kingdom with beautiful lamps and burst crackers.

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For the Gujaratis, Marwaris and other business community people, Diwali marks the day for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and also the beginning of the new financial year. For Bengalis, Diwali is the time to worship Goddess Kali or Durga, who killed the demon Mahishasura, which gave Goddess Durga another name as “Mahishasuramardini”.

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Whatever the stories associated, Diwalis is a reason for family get together in most of the families. It is a reason for kids to enjoy wearing new dresses and bursting crackers. It is a reason for elders to enjoy new dishes and sweets, blessing their younger generation. Diwali is a festival of JOY. This time, it falls on October 17, 2009.

Happy Diwali to one and all. Read here for best Diwali Gifts to Share.