Diwali celebration

 Diwali Celebration: All about Diwali festival 

Alternative Titles: Dipavali, Divali, Dipotsava, Diwari

What is Diwali?

Diwali is a world-famous and important festival of India. On this day every house, street, village, town, and the city is filled with lights by lighting a series of lamps. 

During Diwali, people wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas (oil lamps or candles) and rangoli. Also, Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity and wealth) and Shri Ganesh who removes obstacles, is worshiped. 

Sweets are distributed. Fireworks are burst with joy. People attend family feasts, where sweets and gifts are distributed. The entire atmosphere is filled with light, happiness, and joy. 

This festival does not come alone but brings with it a series of festivals. The series completes five festivals in five days. It gives a unique experience dimension to life.

Diwali is a five-day festival with the darkest night of the lunar month. During the festival, Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs illuminate their homes, temples, and workspaces with diyas (oil lamps), candles, and lanterns. The Hindus have a ritual oil bath at dawn on each day of the five days festival. 

Diwali is also recognized with fireworks and the decoration of floors with rangoli designs. Foods are the main focus with families partaking in feasts and sharing sweets. 

The Diwali festival is an annual homecoming and bonding period not only for families but also for communities and associations, particularly those in urban areas, which organize activities, events, and gatherings. Many towns and cities organize community parades and fairs with music and dance performances in parks and other places. 

Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains send Diwali greeting cards to family near and far during the festive season, occasionally with boxes of Indian confectionery.

When is Diwali celebrated?

Diwali is celebrated every year in the month of Kartika (mid-October to mid-November). Deepawali is generally celebrated twenty days after the Dussehra ( Dasain) festival. 

This year, the festival of Diwali will be celebrated on November 14, 2020. 

The worship time is 05:28 PM to 07:24 PM. 

Diwali 2020 dates

• This year Dhanteras is on November 13, 2020.

• This year Naraka Chaturdashi is on November 14, 2020.

• This year Lakshmi pooja is on Saturday, November 14, 2020

• This year Govardhan Puja is on Sunday, November 15, 2020

• This year Bhai Duj is on Monday, November 16, 2020

Why is Diwali celebrated?

On this day, thousands of years ago, Lord Shri Rama returned to his home state of Ayodhya by liberating the human race from the atrocities of the tyrannical, arrogant King Ravana and completing his 14 years of exile. 

On the occasion of the return of Lord Shri Rama and the triumph of good and truth over evil, tyranny, ignorance, arrogance,  the people of Ayodhya lit lamps in every house of the entire state and welcomed them with joy and enthusiasm. 

Since that time, every year, it is celebrated as a festival in Indian society.  So that the evils, bad things, ignorance prevailing in the human's mind and society can be removed and again filled with the light of knowledge and enthusiasm in life. Some other important festivals came over time, with the coincidence of which it has now become five days long the largest festival in India.

The places of Diwali 

Diwali festival is celebrated almost all over India. Indians settled in other countries also celebrate Diwali in full swing. People mainly from Hindu society celebrate Diwali. People of other religions also participate in the Diwali festival.

People of other religions in India also celebrate their respective festivals with Diwali. On this day, the Sikhs celebrate "Bandi Chhor Divas" for the release of Guru Hargobind from the prison of the Mughal Empire. While Jains celebrate their Dipavali which signifies the ultimate "liberation of Mahavira". The Newar Buddhists celebrate Dipavali by worshiping Lakshmi. Bengali Hindus celebrate their Dipavali by worshiping the goddess Kali. 

The main day of the Diwali festival (Lakshmi worship day) is an official holiday in Fiji, Guyana, India, Malaysia (except Sarawak), Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Thus, its identity is global. 

Impact of Diwali on human life

Diwali festival brings happiness for all. About a month before the start of Diwali, the work, and business opportunities for each person increase manifold. Everyone earns a lot, be they of any religion.  Commercial and consumer activities thrive. The market remains fully prepared to meet the demand of consumers. Everyone goes shopping.

Homes and cities become clean and beautiful. Hatred, despair, fear, laziness, the bitterness of social relationships, etc. disappear from the human mind. Social and cultural behavior and the importance of human relationships are automatically established. The mind is filled with freshness and joy. With new plans, new thinking, new hope, and new passion, human beings start acting his life.

What preparations are to be made before Diwali?

Before the start of the festival, repairs, cleaning, dyeing-painting, etc. are done. Useless items in homes are removed. Home and city become clean and beautiful. Thus, it is also a festival of purity of home.

How is Diwali celebrated?

As we have discussed that Diwali starts with a series of five festivals. Preparation and rituals for Diwali begin days or weeks in advance, typically after the festival of Dusshera that precedes Diwali by about 20 days. 

This festival generally begins two days before the night of Diwali and ends two days thereafter. Thus Diwali starts with a series of five festivals. Let us see how Indians fill their lives with colors of happiness during these five days. 

How celebrate Diwali in India:

The Diwali festival starts with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. Each day of Diwali has the following rituals and importance.

(Day 1) 

Dhanteras, Dhanatrayodashi: 

This year Dhanteras is on November 13, 2020.

Diwali begins with Dhanteras. It is the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kartik month and the first day of Diwali. It is also known as Dhantrayodashi.

On this day, people clean up their homes and business premises. The doors of houses and temples are decorated with garlands made of fresh flowers and leaves. 

From this day on, lamps are started to be lit, they install diyas (small kerosene-filled lamps) in the evening and light near the Lakshmi and Ganesh idols for the next five days. 

Women and children decorate doors within homes and offices with rangoli designs made of rangoli, rice flour, flower petals, and colored sand, while boys and men decorate the roofs and walls of family homes, markets, and temples. The day is also a major shopping day for buying new utensils, household appliances, jewelry, crackers, and other items.

Why does Dhanteras celebrate?

Dhantrayodashi which is also known as Dhanteras is the first day of five days long Diwali festivities. On this day, The Goddess Lakshmi came out of the sea during the churning of the Sea. Therefore, Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord Kubera who is the God of wealth, is worshipped on the Trayodashi. However, Lakshmi worship on Amavasya after two days of triyodashi is considered more significant. 

Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, was also born on this day. It is believed that during the churning of the sea, Lord Dhanvantari appeared in his hand carrying an urn full of nectar. Therefore, on this day, along with their worship,  Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and God of Death Yamraj are also worshiped.

Importance:

Dhanteras signifies annual renewal, cleanliness, and an auspicious start to the next year. The word "wealth" for this day is for the Ayurvedic icon Dhanwantari, the god of health and medicine. There is a tradition in India to buy utensils on this day. Brass and silverware are bought especially because brass is considered an important metal of Maharishi Dhanvantari. 

It provides health, good luck, and health benefits at home. Traders buy new books of account on Dhanteras which are worshiped on Diwali.

Some communities, especially those active in Ayurvedic and health-related professions, pray or perform havan.

Dhanteras Puja Vidhi (worship method):

• Step 1: First of all, take a bath in the evening and put on clean clothes, after this install the picture of the elephant and Lord Dhanwantari.

• Step 2: Bathe Lord Dhanvantari with Panchamrit and perform Tilak with Roli or Sandalwood.

• Step 3: After this, meditate and worship Lord Ganesha and meditate on Lord Dhanwantari with intactness in your hand.

• Step 4: Place a small pile of grains at the place of worship.

• Step 5: Recite mantras of Lord Dhanwantari while meditating on Lord Dhanvantari.

• Step 6: After this, offer flowers to Lord Dhanvantari. Then sprinkle perfume three times on the picture or idol of Dhanvantari.

• Step 7: After this, offer clothes and molly to Lord Dhanvantari.

• Step 8: Finally, Goddess Lakshmi, Kubera, Ganesh, Elephant and Lord Dhanwantari are all worshiped together.

Pray to Lord Dhanvantari, the father of Ayurveda, to make the whole world healthy and provide longevity to human society. Give us the gift of family health.

Thus your worship was done.

In the Pradoshkal on the evening of Dhanteras, light a lamp on both sides of the main door of your house and meditate on Yamraj at that time.

Dhanteras Pooja on Friday, November 13, 2020

Dhanteras Pooja Shubh Muhurat - 05:28 PM to 05:59 PM

Duration - 00 Hours 30 Mins

(Day 2)

Naraka Chaturdashi, Chhoti Diwali: 

This year Naraka Chaturdashi is on November 14, 2020.

After Dhanteras, the next day festival is Naraka Chaturdashi.

It also is known as Chhoti Diwali. Chhoti Diwali is the second day of festivities coinciding with the fourteenth day of the lunar month. This year, Chhoti Diwali overlaps with Amavasya and falls on the same day, on November 14.  

On this day too, decorations with garlands, lamp lighting, and worship rituals are performed at homes and temples.

Chhoti Diwali is also a major day for purchasing festive foods, particularly sweets. A variety of sweets are prepared using chickpea flour, rice, flour, dry fruit pieces  (powders or paste), milk solids, and clarified butter (ghee). These are then shaped into various forms, such as barfis, halwa, kachoris, laddus, and stuffed delicacies. 

Shoppers and Confectioners create Diwali-themed decorative displays, selling these in large quantities, which are stocked for home celebrations to welcome guests and as gifts. Families also prepare homemade delicacies for Lakshmi worship, related to the main day of Dipawali. Chhoti Diwali is also a day for visiting friends, relatives, business associates, and exchanging gifts.

Naraka Chaturdashi is commonly celebrated as Dipawali in Goa, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Traditionally, Marathi people and South Indians receive an oil massage from the elders in the family and then take a ritual bath, all before sunrise. Many visit their favorite temples.

Abhyanga Snan:

Abhyanga Snan on Chaturdashi day, which is popularly known as Narak Chaturdashi is the most significant one. It is believed that people, who do Abhyanga Snan on this day, can avoid going to Narak. Til (i.e. sesame) oil should be used for Ubtan during Abhyanga Snan.

Narak Chaturdashi on Saturday, November 14, 2020

Abhyanga Snan Shubh Muhurat - 05:23 AM to 06:43 AM

Duration - 01 Hour 20 Mins

Why Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated?

According to a mythological interpretation, the demon named Narakasura had disturbed the gods and humans with his power. Asuras kept 16 thousand women captive with saints. When his tyranny greatly increased, the deity and sage came to the shelter of Lord Krishna and asked him to end this Narakasura and reduce the weight of sin from the earth. Narakasura was cursed to die at the hands of a woman, so Lord Krishna made his wife Satyabhama a charioteer and slaughtered Narakasura with his help. After Krishna's victory over Narakasura, Diwali was celebrated as the significance of the victory of good over evil.

The day Narakasura came to an end, it was Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. Thus, the day before Diwali is remembered as Naraka Chaturdashi. After the slaughter of Narakasura, Krishna freed the girls from bondage. The liberation of 16,000 girls and the slaughter of Narakasura started the tradition of door-to-door lamp donation.

Lord Krishna saved 16,000 girls on this day, in this joy women perform 16 adornments on this day. On this day, bathing oil mixed with water and doing 16 makeup enhances the beauty and good luck, it is believed. Gods should be worshiped during the evening and donate lamps. 

On this day, Diwali was celebrated as a sign of the triumph of good over evil after Krishna's Victory over Narakasura. 

Thus, the day before Diwali is remembered as Naraka Chaturdasi. On this day, Narakasura was killed by Krishna.

Naraka Chaturdashi Puja Vidhi (worship method):

• Step 1: On this day, a bath before sunrise is done in the morning. During this, one should massage the body with sesame oil, then rotate the apamarga (medicinal plant) around the head 3 times.

• Step 2: Before Narak Chaturdashi, Ahoi Ashtami of Kartik Krishna Paksha is filled with water in a lota (vessel).

• Step 3: On the day of Naraka  Chaturdashi, it is a tradition to mix that water in bathwater. It is believed that taking such a bath gives freedom from hell.

• Step 4: After bathing, pray towards them with folded hands towards the direction of Yama. By doing this, sins are destroyed.

• Step 5: An oil lamp is also lit on Narak Chaturdashi for Yamraj. The lamp is lit by the oldest member of the house outside the main gate of the house. Doing so does not lead to premature death.

• Step 6: After worshiping God in the evening on Narak Chaturdashi i.e. on the day of small Diwali put lamps on the frame of the house. After this, lamps should be lit in the temple, the interior of the house, and the garden.

• Step 7: Lord Krishna is also worshiped on the day of Narak Chaturdashi. By doing this, you get beauty.

• Step 8: At the midnight of this festival, useless household items should be removed. By doing this, poverty has gone from the house, so that Lakshmi Ji enters the clean house.

For liberation from hell, a lamp is placed on Tulsi and the main door of the house. Lamps should be lit in places like temples, kitchens, bathrooms, under gods, on the banks of rivers, walls, gardens, cowsheds, etc.

Hanuman worship:

According to belief, Lord Hanuman was born on the day of Narada Chaturdashi from the womb of Mother Anjana. On this day, devotees worship Lord Hanuman to get relief from sorrow and fear. One should recite Hanuman Chalisa and Hanuman Ashtak on this day.

significance:

Lord Krishna saved 16,000 girls on this day, in this joy women perform 16 adornments on this day. On this day, bathing oil mixed with water and doing 16 makeup enhances the beauty and good luck, it is believed. Gods should be worshiped during the evening and donate lamps.

This day and its rituals are interpreted as ways to liberate any souls from their suffering in "Naraka" (hell), as well as a reminder of spiritual auspiciousness. For some Hindus, it is a day to pray for the peace to the deified souls of one's ancestors and light their way for their journeys in the cyclic afterlife.

(Day 3)

Lakshmi Pujan:

November 14, 2020

The third day is the climax of the Diwali festival. It is called the main Diwali. On this day Hindu, Jain, and Sikh temples, homes, villages, and all cities are aglow with lights, thereby making it the "festival of lights". 

The youngest members of the family visit their elders, such as grandparents and other senior members of the community, on this day. 

Shopkeepers and business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. The Shops close early on this day allowing employees to enjoy family time. 

Business owners, shopkeepers, and small-scale operations perform worship rituals in their office premises. Unlike some other festivals, Hindus generally do not fast during the five-day Diwali, but instead, offer and share weather feasts in their workplaces, community centers, temples, and homes.

On the night of Deepawali, people light candles and earthen lamps in their homes and temples.

As the evening draws closer, celebrities will wear new clothes or their best outfits.  Women and girls, in particular, wear saris and jewelry.

At dusk, family members gather for the Lakshmi Pujan (worship), although prayers also are offered to other deities, such as Ganesha, Saraswati, Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanuman, or Kubera. 

The lamps from the puja ceremony are then used to light more earthen lamps, which are placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses, while some diyas (lamps) are set adrift on rivers and streams. 

After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up fireworks together, and then share a family feast and mithai (sweets, desserts).

Temples and homes are decorated with lights. festive foods are shared with all. friends and relatives are remembered and visited with gifts.

significance:

• On the night of Diwali, rituals across much of India are dedicated to Lakshmi to welcome her into their cleaned homes and bring prosperity and happiness for the coming year. While the cleaning or painting of the home is for goddess Lakshmi. 

• This festival also signifies the ritual reenactment of the cleansing, purifying action of the monsoon rains that would have concluded in most of the Indian subcontinent. 

• On this day, Vaishnava families recite Hindu legends of the victory of good over evil and the return of hope after despair on the Diwali night, where the main characters may include Krishna, Rama, Vamana, or one of the avatars of Vishnu. 

• In the evening, lamps placed earlier in the inside and outside of the home are lit up to welcome Lakshmi. Family members light up firecrackers, which some interpret as a way to ward off all evil spirits and the inauspicious, as well as add to the festive mood.

Even if a man has forgotten for a whole year, but on this day the attention of mankind must come to remove evils and defects. It definitely benefits humans and society. And the light of virtues and knowledge in society comes back. This Diwali must fill the light of virtues and happiness in your life. So that there is no room for evil, bad luck, bad things, and darkness. Take the pledge, this is the usefulness of this festival.

Lakshmi Pooja on Saturday, November 14, 2020

Lakshmi Pooja Shubh Muhurat - 05:28 PM to 07:24 PM

Duration - 01 Hour 56 Mins

Diwali Puja Vidhi (worship method):

• Step 1: Purify your home

Clean every corner of the house. And sprinkle Gangajal (holy water from river Ganga) to purify the surroundings.

• Step 2: Set up the puja platform

In your puja room spread a red cotton cloth on a table/stool and keep a handful of grains in the center.

• Step 3: Place a Kalash

Place the Kalash (earthen/silver/bronze pot) in the middle of grains. Fill the Kalash with 75% of water and put one supari (betel nut), one marigold flower, a coin, and some rice grains. put five leaves of mango on the Kalash in a circular design. 

• Step 4: Place idol of Lakshmi and Ganesha for worship

Place the idol of Goddess Lakshmi in the center and idol of Lord Ganesha on the right side (South-West direction) of the Kalash. Take a Thali and make a small flat mountain of rice grains, draw a lotus flower with Haldi, put some coins, and place it in front of the Ganesh and Lakshmi.

• Step 5: Place accounts books/wealth related items

Now place your business/accountancy book and other wealth/business-related items in front of the idol.

• Step 6: Offer water

Take a Lakshmi idol and bathe it with water followed by panchamrita. Now Bath it again with water, wipe with a clean cloth, and place it back on the Kalash.

• Step 7: Apply tilak and light Diya

Now apply tilak to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh and light diyas. Apply tilak to Kalash also.

• Step 8: Offer flowers

Now offer flowers to Lord Ganesh and Lakshmi. Put some flowers in your palm for prayer.

• Step 9: Recite Puja Mantra

Place flower in your palm and join your hands in prayer mode, close your eyes and recite Diwali puja mantra. After the prayer, offer the flowers of your palm to Ganesh and Lakshmi.

• Step 10: Offer mala (garland)

Put Haldi, kumkum, and rice to the idol. Put the garland around the neck of the Goddess. Burn agarbatti (perfumed sticks) and shoop in front of the Ganesh and Lakshmi.

• Step 11: Offer fruits and sweets

Take coconut, supari, paan leaf, and offer it to the goddess. Offer fruit and sweets to the goddess. Put some flowers and coins in front of Ganesh and Lakshmi.

• Step 12: Perform Ganesh and Lakshmi Aarti

Take a diya in a thali, puja bell, and perform the aarti in front of Ganesh and Lakshmi.

(Day 4)

Annakut, Balipratipada, Govardhan puja :

November 15, 2020

The day after Diwali is regionally called Annakut, Padwa, Goverdhan puja, Bali Pratipada, Bali Padyami, Kartik Shukla Pratipada, and other names. According to one tradition, this day is associated with the story of Bali's defeat at the hands of Vishnu. 

In some rural communities of North, West, and Central regions, the fourth day is celebrated as Govardhan Puja. The worship of Gowardhan is also known as Annakut Puja. On this day in the Braj region, Annakut (food) is made in the morning.  Annakut is made of cereals like wheat, rice, curry made of gram flour, and leafy vegetables that are cooked and offered to Lord Krishna.

In the evening, the idol of Govardhan Parvat is made with cow dung. with cow milk, rice, ghee, dal-baati-churma (special food offerings),  flowers and leaves, the Govardhan is worshiped by all the family members. The cheer of "Girraj Maharaj ki Jai" resonates throughout the region. Lamps are lit and fireworks are also done. 

Various dishes are prepared which are then dedicated to Krishna before being shared among the community. On this day, Hindu temples prepare 'mountains of sweets' for those people who gather for darshan (visit). In Gujarat, this is the first day of the new year.

Govardhan Puja and Annakoot festival are celebrated on this day in Vrindavan, Mathura, and all the Brij areas.

Why Govardhan pooja is being done?

According to one tradition, this day is associated with the story of Bali's defeat at the hands of Vishnu. 

According to another tradition in the Brij region, on this day, the Hindu deity Lord Sri Krishna saves cows and farming communities from Indra's anger, floods and incessant rains, for which he held the Govardhan mountain on his finger. This legend is remembered through the ritual of building miniature paintings such as small mountains from cow dung. 

It is believed that Lord Krishna raised the Govardhan mountain to save the Brajvas from the wrath of Indra and to break their pride. Indra used his power to make torrential rain in Braj for 7 consecutive days. Then Lord Krishna had to keep lifting Mount Govardhan on his finger for seven consecutive days, hungry and thirsty. They were then fed 56 dishes for seven days and eight times. It is believed that since then this tradition of 56 indulgences started.

Govardhan Puja Vidhi (worship method):

Govardhan Puja is performed on the Pratipada of Kartik Shukla Paksha.

On this day, Govardhan Parvat and Lord Krishna are worshiped by making Govardhan with cow dung.

Govardhan Puja and Annakoot festival are celebrated on this day in Vrindavan, Mathura, and all the Brij areas.

It is believed that the Brajwasis started this worship in the Dwapara era at the behest of Lord Krishna. Let us know the worship method-

• Step 1: Take a bath in the morning with oil.

• Step 2: In the evening, make Lord Govardhan by cow dung and decorate it with flowers, vines, etc.

• Step 3: Place a bowl or earthen vessel in place of their navel. Add milk, curd, Ganga water, honey, batasa, etc. to it.

• Step 4: After this, put incense, lamp, naivedya, water, fruits, flowers, kheel, bachas, water, etc. in the puja plate.

• Step 5: All family members come together for worship.

• Step 6: Sprinkle water and apply turmeric tilak, light a lamp. And offer prasad.

• Step 7: Every member of the family should worship with this method.

• Step 8: After the puja, conduct seven revolutions of Lord Govardhan along with family while chanting "Girraj Maharaj".

• Step 9: During the seven circumambulations, a person drops a stream of water, and another person sows barley while the orbit is complete.

• Step 10: After the circumambulation, distribute the Prasad of the vessel placed in the navel to everyone.

In the end, everyone should pray to Lord Govardhan for the prosperity and peace of the family and the world. Thus your worship was done.

significance:

Govardhan and cow worship have special significance on Kartik Shukla Pratipada. Govardhan and cow worship brings happiness and prosperity to the home. 

Govardhan Giri is considered as God and worships him in his home on this day leads to an increase of wealth, grain, progeny, and prosperity.

The day ritually celebrates the bond between wife and husband, and in some Hindu communities, husbands celebrate it with gifts to their wives. In some other areas, parents invite a newlywed daughter or son to a festive meal with their spouse and give them a gift.

Govardhan Pooja on Sunday, November 15, 2020

Govardhan Puja Subh Muhurat - 03:19 PM to 05:27 PM

Duration - 02 Hours 09 Mins

(Day 5)

Bhai Dooj, Bhau-Beej :

November 16, 2020

The last day of the festival is called Bhai Duj (brother's day), Bhau Beej, or Bhai Tilak. This festival celebrates the sister-brother bond, similar in spirit to Raksha Bandhan. But at this festival, the brother travels to meet the sister and her family. 

On the Bhai Duj, the womenfolk of the family gather and perform worship with prayers for the well being of brothers, then complete the ritual of feeding their brothers with their hands and receiving gifts. 

in some other traditions, the women recite tales where sisters protect their brothers from enemies that seek to cause him either bodily or spiritual harm.

Why Bhai Duj is celebrated?

This festive day is interpreted by some to symbolize Yama's sister the Yamuna welcoming Yama with a tilaka, while others interpret it as the arrival of Krishna at his sister's, Subhadra, place after defeating Narakasura. Krishna's sister Subhadra welcomes Krishna by applying tilak on Krishna's forehead.

Bhai Duj Puja Vidhi (worship method):

Like any other auspicious occasion, the celebration of Bhai Duj is incomplete without traditional rituals. Come, let us know the method of worship of Bhai Duj -

• Step 1: Take a bath in the morning with oil.

• Step 2: After this prepare a seat (chowk) of rice flour.

• Step 3: Listen to the story of brotherhood.

• Step 4: Now roll the tilak with rice and roli on the foreheads of the brothers.

• Step 5: After this, offer flowers, betel nuts, and coins in the palms of your brothers.

• Step 6: The sisters recite the holy mantra while pouring water on their brother's palms.

• Step 7: And finally, tie Kalava (scarlet thread) on your brother's hand and feed your brother's sweets. And wish your brother a long life.

Brothers, in turn, give gifts to sisters to show their love and affection.

significance:

This day celebrates the sibling bond between brother and sister.  In historic times,  brothers would travel to meet their sisters or invite their family to the village to celebrate their sister-brother bond with the bounty of seasonal harvests.

The artisans celebrate the fourth day as Vishwakarma Puja Day. Vishwakarma is the deity for artisans in architecture, building construction, textile manufacturing, and the craft trade. On this day, particularly machines, workplaces, equipment, etc are cleaned and prayers for these means of livelihood are offered.

Bhai Dooj on Monday, November 16, 2020

Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time Shubh Muhurat - 01:10 PM to 03:18 PM

Duration - 02 Hours 08 Mins

Religious and other significance:

One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists, though it marks different historical events and stories for each faith. Nevertheless, this festival represents the same symbolic victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness.

Even if a man has forgotten for a whole year, but on this day the attention of mankind must come to remove evils and defects. It definitely benefits humans and society. And the light of virtues and knowledge in society comes back. This Diwali must fill the light of virtues and happiness in your life. So that there is no room for evil, bad luck, bad things, and darkness. Take the pledge, this is the usefulness of this festival. 

According to early belief, Lakshmi primarily symbolizes three qualities - fertility, wealth and prosperity, and abundant crops. Traders seek Laxmi's blessings in their venture and begin the new accounting year by formally closing their accounting year during Diwali.

Fertility is reflected in agricultural offerings brought to Lakshmi by farmer families, who thank Lakshmi and Ganesh for the recent harvest and seek their blessings for prosperous future crops.

Another aspect of the festival is to remember the ancestors. The communities wish ancestors happiness and blessings for themselves.

Economics:

Diwali marks a major shopping period in India, It is traditionally the time when households purchase new clothing, home refurbishments, gifts, gold, jewelry] and other large purchases, particularly as the festival, is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity and such purchases are considered auspicious. 

On this festival, rural Indians spend a significant portion of their annual income. This is a means for them to renew their relationships and social networks. Other goods that are bought in substantial quantities during Diwali include mainly confectionery and fireworks.

Politics:

Diwali and other festivals have increasingly attracted cultural exchanges. Diwali has become an opportunity for politicians and religious leaders worldwide to meet citizens of Hindu or Indian origin, diplomatic staff, or neighbors. At the world level, many participate in other socio-political events as a symbol of support for diversity and inclusiveness. 

Many countries encourage or sponsor Diwali-related festivities in their territories- 

• Diwali was first celebrated by George W. Bush at the White House in 2003 and given official status by the United States Congress in 2007. 

• American president Barack Obama became the first President to personally celebrate Diwali in the White House in 2009.

• The government of Singapore, in association with the Hindu Endowment Board of Singapore, organizes many cultural events during Diwali every year. 

• National leaders such as Prince Charles attend Diwali celebrations at major Hindu temples in the UK.

• Since 2009, the Diwali festival has been celebrated every year at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister.

Precautions:

• Fireworks increase pollution. Use a limited amount of firecrackers during Diwali.
• Beware of accidents caused by fire.
• Stay with children during firecrackers.

Some important Diwali wishes:

Best wishes to you and your family on this auspicious occasion of Diwali. Happy Diwali!

Warm wishes to you and your family on the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Shubh Diwali!

May this Diwali fill your mind and life with lights of prosperity and happiness. Wishing you a very happy and prosperous Diwali!

May your body, mind, and life be illuminated with happiness, prosperity, and abilities. Happy Diwali to all of you!

Wish you all a very Happy Diwali!