GREETINGS FOR A VERY HAPPY, DIVINE, FESTIVE DIWALI FESTIVAL OF ABUNDANCE, 10 November 2015

I)  Chhoti Diwali

 

The day before Diwali is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali. This is the day when Hanuman reached Ayodhya to deliver the long-awaited message of Lord Rama’s return. On Chhoti Diwali, people socialise and exchange sweets and gifts. There is a puja in the evening and the pujasthan is decorated. In Bengal, people celebrate the Kali puja on this day. Kali is the Goddess of War and is highly revered by the Bengalis. In South India, an oil massage followed by a bath before dawn on this day is equated to taking a dip in the holy River Ganga and a dip in the Ganga is supposed to absolve one of all sins and is also considered to be an act of piety.

II)DEEPAWALI

 Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali is by far the most glamorous and important. Enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion its magical and  readiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity. Deepawali is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra on the 13^th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin.  

Festival of Lights or Deepawali is a festival which has the potential of unifying entire India because of the charisma and splendor surrounding this festival. Diwali has been given the traditional name of ‘festival of lights’ because of the lakhs and lakhs of small oil lamps or diyas lighted by  households. The burning of these diyas are considered to be the lighted pathway of a person’s expression of happiness and also a manner of paying obeisance to God, the Supreme power for attainment of health, prosperity, knowledge, financial security and peace in one’s life. 

‘The festival of lights’ is celebrated with much enthusiasm and zeal in all of north India. In fact, the festival of Diwali is regarded to bring the supernatural joy and brightness in a person’s life with the hope of discovering light amidst darkness, achieving happiness in place of ignorance and spreading of love amidst hatred and violence. The tradition of lighting the diyas on Diwali holds much importance as in Hindu mythology the light signifies goodness and vitality. In cities, candles and classy neon lights often substitute these diyas.

The idea behind the lighting of diyas and candles on the festival of lights comes from a number of stories as mentioned in the Hindu mythology. The most famous of these stories is the story revolving around Lord Ram and his family. Diwali celebrates the homecoming of Lord Ram who according to a legend came home to Ayodhya after defeating the evil King Ravana and spending fourteen years in exile. Diwali is also the day of Loard Ram’s coronation. As with other Indian festivals Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country. Almost all over India the festival is celebrated to honor goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. In Bengal, it is related with Goddess Kali. 

   

When Good conquers Evil,

when Light dispels Darkness, 

when Stumbling blocks become Stepping Stones on 24 Nov 2015,

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,

III)Bhai Dooj  

After the Deepawali celebrations, sisters get ready for the most awaited 'Bhai Dooj' - when sisters ceremonize their love by putting an auspicious tilak or a vermilion mark on the forehead of their brothers and waves an aarti. She wishes him lot of love and protection from evil forces. Sisters are lavished with gifts, goodies and blessings from their brothers.

 

And do you Know

 

As the legend goes Yamraj, the god of death, visited his sister Yamuna on this particular day. She put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, garlanded him and fed him with special dishes and sweets. They spoke to each other and enjoyed themselves. While parting Yamraj gave her a special gift as a token of his love and in return Yami also gave him a lovely gift which she had made with her own hands. That day Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister will never be thrown. Therefore, this day of Bhayya Dooj is also known by the name of "YAMA-DWITIYA" .Since then this day is being observed as a symbol of love between sisters and brothers. It became also imperative for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhai Dooj.

   Lord Krishna, after slaying the Narakasura demon, went to his sister Subhadra who welcomed him with the lamp, flowers and sweets. She put the holy protective tika on her brother's forehead and waved aarti.

   Yet another story behind the origin of Bhai Dooj says that when Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, attained nirvana, his brother King Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana.

   The celebrating of Bhai Dooj has its own importance in continuing to maintain the love between brothers and sisters for it is the day of food-sharing, gift-giving and reaching out to the innermost depths of the hearts.

IV)

LET THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS  ILLUMINATE OUR HOMES
LET US LIGHT THE LAMP OF SECURITY IN EVERY HEARTH & HOME 
LET US EXPLODE CRACKERS SIGNIFYING JOY, MIRTH & MERRIMENT
LET GODDESS LAXMI  SHOWER ALL WEALTH & PROSPERITY TO HUMANITY & MANKIND

LET FLOWERS ADORN THE FEET OF GOD & SPREAD AROMA & FRAGRANCE SIGNIFYING 
HAPPINESS & WELFARE
LET CHANDAN & KUMKUM WORN ON FOREHEAD SYMBOLISE VALUES, MORALITY,
SPIRITUALITY
LET US WEAR NEW DRESSES & BEGIN A NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE & LIVING

LET US EAT SWEETS & SWEETEN LIFE WITH JOY & JINGLES, NERVE & VERVE 
LET US ENDEAVOUR IN ALL EARNESTNESS & COMMITMENT TO SEE FULFILMENT OF
OUR CHERISHED DREAMS & VISIONS.
LET DIVALI WITNESS THE CROWNING GLORY OF OUR INSTITUTIONS & OUR DEAREST
MOTHERLAND.

LET CLASPED HANDS REPLACE CLENCHED FISTS. 
HANDS THAT WORK & DELIVER ARE BETTER THAN  LIPS THAT PRAY
LET US UNITE OUR HEARTS & SOULS TOGETHER
THE LAST CHORD IN THE HARMONY OF INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES  IS ACCORD
LET US ALL SPREAD SUNSHINE & SMILES EVERYWHERE ---R.B.KISHORE

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

 

V)     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.

GREETINGS, GOODLUCK & GODSPEED,

--

R.B.KISHORE.

VP,AIRIEF,

ED(Retd),LIC
LIFE MEMBER,PROBUS CLUB,
044-28155810/098403 40591

R.B.KISHORE & SEETHA KISHORE

 

096000 06582

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