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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Diwali aartis are the special prayers to be sung in order to please Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.

Here are the Diwali aartis, to be sung at the time of Diwali puja, in order to please the gods and ask for their blessings.

Shri Ganesha Aarti
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva
Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.
Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari
Mathe sindur sohai, muse ki savari, Jai Ganesh…

Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya, Jai Ganesh….

Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva
Ladduan ka bhog lage, saht kare seva, ,Jai Ganesh….

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva,
Mata jaki Parvata, Pita Mahadeva.

Maa Lakshmi Aarti
Jai lakshmi maataa, maiyaa jai lakshmi maataa
tumko nishadin dhyaavata, hara vishnu vidhaataa
brahmaani, rudraani, kamlaa, tu hi hai jaga maataa
surya chandramaa dhyaavata, naarada rishi gaataa
durgaa rupaa nirantara, sukha sampati daataa
jo koi tumko dhyaavata, riddhi siddhi dhana paataa
tu hi hai paatala basanti, tu hi shubha daataa
karma prabhaava prakaashaka, jaganidhi ke traataa
jis ghara mein tum rahati, saba sadaguna aataa
kara sake koii kara le, mana nahin ghabaraataa
tuma bina yagya na hove, vastra na koii paataa
khaana paana ka vaibhava, sab tumse hi aataa

shubha guna mandira sundara, kshirodadhi jaataa
ratana chaturdasha tuma hi, koii nahin paataa
aartii lakshmii ji ki, jo koii nar gaataa
ura aananda umanga ati, paap utar jaataa

Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare Aarti
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare
Swami Jaya Jagadeesha Hare
Bhakta janon ke sankat
Bhakta janon ke sankat Kshan me door kare
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare

Jo dhyave phal paave
Dhukh vinashe man ka
Swami dhukh vinashe man ka
Sukha sampati Ghar aave
Sukha sampati Ghar aave
Kashht mite tan ka
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare

Mata pita tum mere
Sharan padun mai kis ki
Swami sharan padum mai kis ki
Tum bina aur na doojaa
Tum bina aur na doojaa
Asha karun mai kis ki
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare

Tum pooran Paramatma
Tum Antaryaami
Swami Tum Antaryaami
Para brahma Parameshwara
Para brahma Parameshwara
Tum sab ke Swami
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare

Tum karuna ke saagar
Tum palan karta
Swami Tum palan karta
Mai sevak tum swaami
Mai sevak tum swaami
Kripa karo bhartaa
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare

Tum ho ek agochar
Sab ke prana pati
Swami sab ke prana pati
Kis vidhi miloon dayamaya
Kisi vidhi miloon dayamaya
Tum ko mai kumati
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare

Deena bandhu dukh hartaa
Tum rakshak mere
Swami tum rakshak mere
Apane hast uthao
Apane hast uthao
Dwar khada mai tere
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare

Vishaya vikar mithao
Paap haro deva
Swami paap haro deva
Shraddha bhakti badhao
Shraddha bhakti badhao
Santan ki seva
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare

Tan man dhan sab kuch hai tera
Swami sab kuch hai tera
Tera tujh ko arpan
Tera tujh ko arpan
Kya laage mera
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare

Om Jai Jagadeesha Hare
Swami Jai Jagadeesha Hare
Bhakta janon ke sankat
Bhakta janon ke sankat
Kshan me door kare
Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare

Happy Diwali !!!

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How do we make sure that our celebrations are not harming the environment around us ? Does the fireworks an integral part of our Diwali celebrations ? Join MyBandra to celebrate Eco Friendly Diwali.

We present a selection of Diwali Greetings in Hindi. Enjoy sending them to your friends and relatives this Diwali. Also, click here for Greetings in English.

Diwali is an  occasion for gifting to convey love to your near and dear ones.  We all want our Diwali gifts to be graceful, elegant and expressive enough to convey our Diwali greetings and wishes. Share the joy of Diwali with exclusive gift ideas from MyBandra.

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Although Diwali the ‘featival of lights’ comes once a year, it leaves behind a trail of air pollution. In our zest of celebration our carelessness can have a terrible effect on the environment and our own safety.

How do we make sure that our celebrations are not harming the environment around us ? Does the fireworks an integral part of our Diwali celebrations ? Join MyBandra to celebrate Eco Friendly Diwali.

This Diwali Say NO to Crackers, Save Power & Say NO Plastic bags.    

Say NO to Crackers

Firecrackers the highlight of Diwali celebrations.

Simple sparklers have now given way to elaborate fireworks that really looks beautiful in sky above your home. Greater the fireworks, better the celebrations. However its time to think, how harmful these crackers are for the environment.The crackers contain a large amount of toxic substances. These affect people in different ways as follows;

 Copper: Causes irritation in the respiratory tract leading to respiratory ailments.

Cadmium: Reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood whicl leads to anaemia and cadmium also causes kidney damage.

Lead: has a harmful effect on the nervous system.

Magnesium: Magnesium fumes cause metal fume fever. This is a fever accompanied by a metallic taste in the mouth.

Zinc: Also causes metal fume fever and it also induces vomiting.

Sodium: Sodium combined with moisture in the air and on the skin, causes burns. It is  highly reactive element.

We tend to decorate our homes by lighting them up to celebrate Diwali – the festival of light. This causes a huge load on the power supply system. Electric lights are used to decorate even roads and shops. Sometimes, these lights are left on even during the day. It’s a good idea to switch to the traditional oil lamps. Even though they consume oil, these lamps are usually used only for a short time. You may also decorate the house with fresh flowers and scented candles.

Say NO to PLASTIC

Try not to use wrapping paper and plastic; it reduces the burden on the environment. Re-use gift wrap and do not insist on packaging perishables like chocolates and mithai in a double layer of plastic. Instead try some Eco friendly gifts like – plants, home made sweets without having to pack them.

Celebrating Diwali does not mean completely giving up the things you love. However, it is time to go back to the traditional Diwali celebrations of the past. It will help to save the environment  !!!

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MyBandra visited Khadi Fest on Irla Road, opposite Alpha Shopping Center (suburbs favourite mobile shopping location!!). It has the usual handicrafts, ceramic items, cotton and khadi clothes, Khadi Sarees, terracotta pottery and some Ayurvedic / Herbal products. Pictures from the Khadi Fest are here:

An interesting display at the Khadi Fest Was this model of the “Charkha” that is suppose to generate electricity while weaving khadi. This is a great subject for the “Swadesh 2″ :-). Shah Rukh Khan- are you listening? We tried to ask more about this display but strangely no one knew much about it.

Asim Khan and his amazing collection of SandalWood products.

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We present a selection of Diwali Greetings in Hindi. Enjoy sending them to your friends and relatives this Diwali.

Hindi Diwali Greeting - दिवाली मुबारक

Marathi Diwali Greeting - शुभ दीपावली

Gujarati Diwali Greeting - દિવલી મુબારક

दीपावली की ढेरो शुभ कमनाए
लक्ष्मी आएगी इतनी की सब जगह नाम होगा,
दिन रात व्यापार बड़े इतना अधिक काम होगा,
घर परिवार समाज मे बनॉगे सरताज, यही कामना है हमारी आप के लिए

दीपावली की ढेरो शुभ कमनाए.

——–

झिलमिलते दीपों की आभा से प्रकाशित
ये दिवाली आपके घर आँगन में
धन धान्या सुख समरयधि और िश्वोर
के अन्नत आशीर्वाद ले कर आए.
हॅपी दीवाली|

——–

घर परवा है खुशियों का, उजालो का, लक्ष्मी का….
इस दिवाली आपकी जिंदगी खुशियों से भारी हो, दुनिया उजालो से रोशन हो,
घर पर मा लक्ष्मी का आगमन हो…
हॅपी दीवाली.

——–

खुशियाँ हो ओवरफ्लो, मस्ती कभी ना हो लो, दोस्ती का सुरूर छाया रहे,
धन और शोहरत की हो बौछार, ऐसा आए आपके लिए दीवाली का त्योहार.

——–

आई आई दीवाली आई, साथ मे कितनी खुशिया लाई, धूम मचाओ, मौज़ मनाओ, आप सभी को दीवाली की बधाई.
हॅपी दीवाली.

——–

कुमकुम भरे कदमों से आए लक्ष्मीजी आपके द्वार,
सुख संपाति मिले आपको अपर, दीपावली की सूभकामनान करें स्वीकार.
हॅपी दीवाली.

——–

दीपक का प्रकाश हर पल आपके जीवन मे एक नयी रोशनी दे,
बस यही शुभकामना है हमारी आपके लिए दीवाली के इस पवन
अवसर पर. !! हॅपी दीवाली !

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