Deepawali Traditions and Rituals
Deepawali is a five-day festival in many regions of India. As per common calendar, Deepawali usually falls towards the end of October, or first half of November each year. Of the five days of the festival, the Deepawali night is in the center and it is the new moon night.
Deepawali takes place on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik which is the day of the new moon or Amavasya. This night is considered to be the darkest night of the year in Hindu mythology and is considered to be very holy.
On this darkest night, we lit diyas, candles and lanterns which makes this festival of lights all the more beautiful and mesmerizing. Deepawali is also a festival of sounds and sights with fireworks and rangoli designs; a festival of feasts and desserts, a festival of joy and happiness, and ofcourse a festival of emotions. Deepawali brings the entire family and friends together every year.
Rituals and preparations for Deepawali begin days and weeks in advance. Cleaning of the houses, buying new clothes, and other Deepawali related stuff start much in advance.
The festival formally begins two days before the night of Deepawali, and ends two days thereafter. Each day has particular and significance, as explained below:
Dhanteras (Day 1)
Dhanteras is what starts the Deepawali’s five day celebrations. It is mostly celebrated in celebrated in Northern and Western part of India. Days before and through Dhanteras, houses and business premises are cleaned, renovated and decorated to celebrate this humongous festival. Everyone decorates entrances with Rangoli – creative colourful floor designs both inside and in the walkways of their homes or offices. People also get busy with external lighting arrangements and completing all renovation work in time.
This day marks the birthday of Lakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari – the God of Health and Healing. On the night of Dhanteras, diyas (lamps) are ritually kept burning all through the nights in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.
Dhanteras is also a major shopping day, particularly for gold or silver articles. Merchants, traders and retailers stock up, put articles on sale, and prepare for this day. People buy gold, silver and also kitchen utensils as it is considered auspicious to buy these things on Dhanteras.
Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening. People decorate their shops, work places or items symbolizing their source of sustenance and prosperity.
Naraka Chaturdasi / Choti Deepawali (Day 2)
Naraka Chaturdasi is the second day of festivities, and is also called Choti Deepawali. The Hindu literature narrates that the demon Narakasura was killed on this day by Krishna, Satyabhama and Kali. The day is celebrated by early morning religious rituals and festivities followed on.
This day is commonly celebrated as Deepawali in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Karnataka.
House decoration and colourful floor patterns called rangoli are made on or before Narak Chaturdasi. Special bathing rituals such as a fragrant oil bath are held in some regions, followed by minor pujas. Women decorate their hands with henna designs. Families are also busy preparing homemade sweets for main Deepawali.
Some people perform special puja in the evening, light up diyas and also visit temple to offer prayers to God and wish happiness and prosperity in the coming years.
Lakshmi Puja/ Main Deepawali / Badi Deepawali (Day 3)
The third day is the main festive day. People wear new clothes or their best outfits as the evening approaches. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more additional deities depending on the region of India; typically Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera.
Lakshmi symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead. On Deepawali evening, people open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place diya lights on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her in. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and prayed for the good fortune and prosperity of the household. Small earthenware lamps filled with oil are lighted and placed in rows by some Hindus along the parapets of temples and houses. Some people also set diyas adrift on rivers and streams. Important relationships and friendships are also recognized during the day, by visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts and sweets.
People light up their houses with diyas, candles and enjoy the festivity. In the evening, after the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks). The children enjoy sparklers and variety of small fireworks, while adults enjoy playing with ground chakra, Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar), sutli bomb, rockets and bigger fireworks. The fireworks signify celebration of Deepawali as well a way to chase away evil spirits. Due to the increase in pollution in recent past, use of crackers has been banned and people along with kids enjoy the festival otherwise as well. Afterwards people head back to a family feast, conversations and desserts.
Padwa, Balipratipada , and Goverdhan puja (Day 4)
The day after Deepawali, is celebrated as Padwa. This day ritually celebrates the love and mutual devotion between the wife and husband. The husbands give thoughtful gifts, or elaborate ones to respective spouses. In many regions, newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals. Sometimes brothers go and pick up their sisters from their in-laws home for this important day. The day is also a special day for the married couple, in a manner similar to anniversaries elsewhere in the world. The day after Deepawali devotees perform Goverdhan puja in honor of Lord Krishna.
Deepawali also marks the beginning of new year, in some parts of India, where the Hindu Vikram Samvat calendar is popular. Merchants and shopkeepers close out their old year, and start a new fiscal year with blessings from Lakshmi and other deities.
The fourth day marks the start of the new year on the Hindu calendar.
Bhai Duj, Bhaiya Dooji (Day 5)
The last day of the festival is called Bhai dooj (Brother’s second). It celebrates the sister-brother loving relationship, in a spirit similar to Raksha Bandhan but with different rituals. The day ritually emphasizes the love and lifelong bond between siblings. It is a day when women and girls get together, perform a puja with prayers for the well being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of food-sharing, gift-giving and conversations. In historic times, this was a day in autumn when brothers would travel to meet their sisters, or bring over their sister’s family to their village homes to celebrate their sister-brother bond with the bounty of seasonal harvests.
Sisters put tika on brother’s forehead and pray for their well being, also wish for the loving bond between the brother and sister for whole life. Brother in turn gives blessings and gifts to sisters. It is one of the most loved festivals among kids.
Entire nation celebrates this festival of peace and happiness. People forget hatred and try to be good and see good in others.