Diwali – a fine display of Indian traditions
Diwali is one of my favourite festivals and I always look forward to it every year. The very sight of well-lit diyas all over the house especially during the night offers an enchanting sight for one and all to behold. I recently came across a family who has a fine blend of traditional as well as modern values. I learnt many interesting facts about Diwali from them. Diwali is not a festival just for bursting crackers and eating sweets. I would be very happy to share the interesting facts I learnt from them with you.
The first day is known as Dhanteras. It is considered to be a very auspicious day and we should buy gold, silver and other important things required for our home on this day. This is followed by the day of Small Diwali. People usually don’t wear black coloured clothes on any of the festival days as it is considered to be inauspicious.
We then have the day of Big Diwali. A single large diya is lit with oil while 7 small diyas accompanying it are lit with ghee and kept in the place where the pooja is to be conducted. The large diya is also filled with some shells. Besides these diyas, all the other rooms too are lit with diyas. Silver coins with the face of Goddess Lakshmi are also kept at the place where the pooja is conducted. The doors are kept open on Diwali night. All this is done so that Goddess Lakshmi feels welcome and visits every home she passes by. This is also an opportunity to open our hearts and welcome others. Kaajal which is formed in the big Diya is put by all the members of the family on the eyes. This includes the male members of the family too. This is done so that in the next birth, we are not born as any other inferior form of being. We would get a chance to be born as human beings again. The game of cards is also played with money during the whole night. This is once again done to honour Goddess Lakshmi.
The next day of Diwali is followed by the Pooja of Annapoorna Devi. On this day a dish of 56 ingredients (Chappan bhog) is prepared. We worship Annapoorna Devi as she is responsible for giving us our foodgrains throughout the year. We also have a Gowardhan pooja on this day, which is basically giving respect to cow dung. The tava is not to be used on this day. We should avoid the use of onions and garlics too. We also have Khil, Batasha and Khilona (toys) made of sugar for the pooja. Five different types of fruits are also offered for the pooja. The idols of the Gods are placed in such a way, so that they face the east or west direction.
We finally have the occasion of Bhau Dooj, where the sister gives a gift to her brother and prays for the protection of her brother.
Weren’t these five days a nice opportunity for everyone to experience such wonderful Indian customs and traditions. Hope you all enjoyed Diwali.
Melser
(Special thanks to the Katiyar Family for their valuable inputs)
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October 15th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
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