 The festival of lights is spread over 5 days; each with a religious and cultural significance.
First Day – Dhantrayodashi or Dhanteras
Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali, observed on the 13th lunar day in the month of Ashwin (October-November).
It is on this day that Lord Dhanvantari's appearance is celebrated each year. During the churning of the milk ocean for the nectar of immortality, Lord Dhanvantari, bedecked with wonderful jewels and his body as strong as a lion, appeared with a jar of amrit. When the demons managed to get their hands on it, Lord Vishnu incarnate as Mohini, an enchantress, succeeded in recovering the jar. The demigods drank from it and after being rejuvenated, defeated the demons. Emerging victorious, they worshipped Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune.
Another legend dates back to King Hima’s sixteen-year old son, whose horoscope suggested his demise through a snake bite on the fourth night of his marriage. To avert his death, the son’s young wife arranged heaps of ornaments along with gold and silver coins at the room’s entrance. At the same time, she kept him awake by narrating stories and singing songs all night. Yama, the Lord of Death, arrived there in the form of a serpent but was blinded by the radiance of the dazzling jewels. He made his way to the top of the heap, sat there listening to the melodious recitals and went away in the morning. Having saved her husband from death, this day of Dhanteras, ever since, has been observed as ‘Yamadeepdaan’, where lamps burn through the night as a symbol of respect to Yam, the Lord of Death.
Second day of Diwali – Naraka Chaturdasi
The demon Narakasura, out of consummate arrogance had forcefully taken away the umbrella from the throne of the demigod Varuna. He also took away the earrings of Aditi, the mother of demigods and had abducted sixteen thousand princesses. On receiving complaints from Indra, Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama immediately started out for Pragjyotisa-pura, the capital city of Bhaumasura. The city being expertly fortified by mammoth forts, vast military phalanxes, a water canal, electric wires, and a gaseous substance, however was a child’s play for the Lord to break through.
After destroying these preliminary barriers, Lord Krishna effortlessly separated Mura’s (the demon living in the water) five heads from his body with his Sudarsana chakra, annihilated the consequent military troupe and finally severed Narakasura’s head from his body with the Sudarsana chakra, thus delivering the demon. On entering the palace, Lord Krishna released the 16,000 princesses. Subsequently, realising their desire, he married all the princesses and returned with a huge procession to Dvaraka City. On his arrival at dawn, He was bathed and massaged with scented oils.
Third Day of Diwali
This day marks the homecoming of Lord Rama, the eldest son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya, from his 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman. The subjects of Ayodhya illuminated the entire province with diyas and fireworks to express their joyousness. This is the most celebrated day of Diwali, and prayers and accompanying rituals are performed unto Goddess Lakshmi, the epitome of wealth and prosperity.
This day also marks the surrender of Bali Maharaja to Lord Vamana Dev, a dwarf brahman incarnation of Lord Visnu. On being allowed to ask for anything, Vamana Dev asked Bali for three pieces of land. He covered the entire universe with his first two steps and placed his third step on Bali’s head as his plea. Pleased with his attitude of surrender, Lord Vamana Dev offered to become the guard at Bali’s door.
In the countryside, Diwali marks prosperity in terms of a good crop as the festival takes place during the end of a growing season. Thus, it is received with utmost gratitude and devotion to the Lord.
The Fourth Day of Diwali – Govardhana Puja
In Ramayana, when the bridge to Lanka was under construction, Hanuman went away to get a mountain in order to fulfill the needed requirements. On receiving news that all was ready, Hanuman placed the mountain midway on his journey back. The mountain, being dejected of not being able to render service to Lord Rama, was informed by Lord Rama “…by the end of the Dvapara Yuga, Sri Krishna will Himself appear and play on you and will also worship you. In the Kaliyuga, the devotees shall attain numerous divine supernatural powers by worshipping you.”
According to Vaishnava legend, during the early days of Lord Krishna, the local cowherd men and Brahmanas were engaged in the worship of the Vedic demi-god Indra every year. Lord Krishna, disturbed by this ritualistic practice, suggested presenting the prepared offerings instead to Govardhana Hill for its unalloyed service. Feeling humiliated by the discontinuation of service and especially so on the suggestion of Krishna, Indra arranged for devastating rainfall for seven days and seven nights. To provide shelter to his devotees, Krishna performed his pastime of lifting the Govardhana Hill. Realising his foolishness, Indra accepted defeated and offered prayers to the Lord asking forgiveness.
The Fifth Day of Diwali – Bhai Dooj
This marks the end of the festival of lights. Many moons ago, Yama (the Lord of death) visited his twin sister Yamuna. He endowed his sister with a benediction that anyone visiting her on this day will achieve moksha, or liberation. From then on, brothers visit their sisters’ houses to inquire about their well-being, whereas several others bathe in the holy waters of Yamuna River. This day is also known as Bhai Fota among Bengalis.
Gerish Khemani
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