Significance of Deepavali! FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Subject: Significance of Deepavali! FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

​I)​ Significance of Deepavali! <image.png> Deepavali or the Festival of Lights is an important and popular festival and one of the four main festivals celebrated In India. Deepavali. "Deepavali" derived from Sanskrit Deepa = lamp, awali = row, line, when It literally translated means "Row of Lights". It means "row of lighted lamps" or the Festival of lights. It celebrates the victory of goodness over evil, light over darkness. During Deepavali people pray to Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, light, prosperity and wisdom, but also to God Ganesha, the 'Remover of Obstacles' or the 'Lord of Beginnings'. Deepavali is associated with many legends. Legends of Deepavali:- There are many festivals in India. Some festivals are celebrated in certain regions, like Holi in Northern India, Onam in Kerala. However, Deepavali is the only festival that is celebrated across the country, by everyone without distinction of class and creed with slightly different set of rituals and customs. This slight deviance in the set of rituals and celebrations of this festival is due to the prevalent legends of the specific regions and states. The reason for celebrating Diwali in North India is based on the return of Lord Ram from exile to Ayodhya. But in South India the legend is of Krishna defeating demon Naraka with the help of Satyabhama.And an another legend says that Goddess lakshmi emerged from Ksheera Sagara (Ocean of Milk). CELEBRATIONS: The festival is actually celebrated over a period of five days. First Day - Dhanatrayodashi" or " Dhanvantari Trayodashi" in south and Dhan Teras in North India. Second Day - Narak Chaturdashi, Third Day- Diwali, Fourth Day - Govardhan Pooja in north India and Bali Padyami in south India, Fifth Day - Bhai Dooj in north and Yama Dvitiya, or Yam Dwitiya in south India. The first day is called the Dhanatrayodashi" or " Dhanvantari Trayodashi" or Dhan Teras. The word Dhan means wealth and Tera means 13th day as per Hindu calendar, wherein people buy a new utensil or gold or silver because as it is considered auspicious to spend money (for goddess Lakshmi) on this day. The day is also dedicated to Dhanavantri, the Hindu God of medicine, and therefore special Dhanvantari Puja is held on the day. The second day is called Narak Chaturdashi. Demon named Narakasur who had managed to acquire such awesome powers that he began to terrorize the three worlds. He was killed and defeated by Lord Krishna. As a symbol of that victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon king's blood. Krishna returned home early morning on the day of Narakachaturdashi. The womenfolk massaged scented oil on his body and gave him a bath to wash away the demon's blood. Since then the custom of taking an oil bath before dawn on this day has become a traditional practice especially in Maharashtra and in the South. Normally according to dharma shastram, one is not supposed to take an oil bath before sunrise on any day. But on Deepavali, there is an exemption. People get up early in the morning and have an oil bath in hot water especially before sunrise. This is equated to having a bath in the Ganges. On Deepavali chathurdashi day, Mahalakshmi resides in gingelly oil and Ganges resides in water until sunrise. So we get the blessings of Mahalakshmi as well by doing this.This is clearly mentioned in Tula puranam.   The thrid day is called Diwali. On this day Mother Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with Her wealth and prosperity for mankind. On that day, Lakshmi Pooja was performed to honour Her and as such, every year on Diwali day, Hindus perform Her prayer and worship. On this day, Lakshmi Pooja was performed and the making and distribution of various sweets and total vegetarian foods are the special of the day. Many people believe that Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and good fortune, visit the homes of devotees on this day. Worship of Lakshmi is performed in the pradosha time of the deepavali which is considere as very auspicious. The fourth day is called Govardhan Puja is dedicated to  the Govardan  Mountain near Mathura, which was lifted by Lord Krishna to save the people of Braj from heavy rains and flood created by Lord Indra. Apart from worship of Lord Krishna and Govardhan Mountain, people perform Govardhan Pradakshina, circumambulating the hill is an important event on the day.Bali Padyami in south India is the day when King Bali rules the world with blessings of Sri Hari Vishnu. It is observed on the first day of the Kartik Maasa in the traditional calendar followed in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. On the day people remember King Bali and pray for the return of prosperity that existed during his rule. Exchanging gifts on this day is a major highlight. Bali Padyami is the half muhurta among the three and a half auspicious muhurtas in a year. One need not look for auspicious time on the day. There is a popular belief that what ever is gifted on the day will be returned manifold with the blessings of Lord Vishnu.   The fifth day of Diwali celebrations is known as Yama Dvitiya, or Yam Dwitiya - a symbol of love between brothers and sisters. The day is observed as Bhai Dhooj or in North India and Yama Dvitiya is the name used popularly in South India. The legend of Yam Dwitiya is associated with Lord Yama, the Hindu god of Death, visiting his sister Yami.  What is the Message of the festival:- All festivals of India have an inner divine significance. In Bharat the festivals are celebrated to prove the immanent divinity in humanity. The slaying of Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they stray on to the wrong path. The message of Naraka Chaturdasi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal bonds. It is said that before dying Naraka realized his mistakes and requested for a festival in his name from his parents which will remind people what will happen when they are overtook by inflated egos. Naraka Chaturdasi thus indicates that good and evil rises from the same root.   Deepavali teaches a sacred inner meaning to humanity. During the night of Deepavali the little clay lamps (diyas) silently send forth message of Deepavali: "Come, let us remove darkness from the face of the earth." No other element in this world is as significant as light. It is the light that shows us the way dispelling the darkness. It is because of the light that man is able to attend to his daily duties. The flame of a lamp has two significant qualities. One is to banish darkness; the other is a continuous upward movement. The flame always points upwards. Even if we keep the lamp upside down, the flame will burn upwards. The message is that our mind should be focused on the the Self wherever we are. Thus the festival signifies the victory of good over evil – where the good and the evil are present in us. The religions and cultures may be different but they all share a universal principle of divine creation.

​II)​ when Good conquers Evil,

when Light dispels Darkness,

when Stumbling blocks become Stepping Stones 

when Sound of crackers & Flowerpots,Vishnu Chakra produce Light,

 Sound of Melody & Harmony,

when Festive Mood replaces doubts, frustration & apathy,

when Goddess Lakshni showers wealth & happiness to all Humanity,

sure we, with our Fervent Prayers to the Almighty on this auspicious Day of Lights & Sound,

behave as ONE FAMILY of Pensioners without any distinction or deviation &

reach our destination really reserved for us after all these 

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18

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​

 years of Kurukshetra 

​legal ​

battle

should we not see, enjoy & experience this consummation with smooth sailing before SC Bench

Happy,Divine Divali Greetings to U & all members of ur family & insce pensioners fraternity

​III)​

Dear All,

Wishing You & Your Family

  

 

May the Divine Light of Diwali Spread into your Life:

 Peace, Prosperity, Happiness and Good Health.
Happy Diwali

As long as we have memories, yesterday remains;

As long as we have hope, tomorrow awaits.

As long as we have Friendship, each day is never a waste …..

Keep smiling .....and keep mailing.

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R.B.KISHORE & SEETHA KISHORE

098403 40591

CHENNAI 

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