Diwali Festival 2010

Diwali Festival 2010

Diwali is the most popular festival associated with Hindu religion.Diwali, the festival of lights, is the King of all the Hindu festivals and it is the most celebrated Indian festival. Diwali 2010 date is November 5th. This five-day festival is celebrated throughout India on Amavasya, No Moon day in Ashwin month.Diwali literally means ‘an array of lamps’ and symbolizes the removal of spiritual darkness.

Origin of Diwali Festival

Diwali is celebrated by all Hindu communities but the reasons and legends differ from place to place and from community to community.The important legend associated with Diwali festival is of Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya from Lanka after slaying the demon Ravan. It also marks the return of Ram from his 14 years of Aranya vaas (exile period). The people of Ayodhya welcomed him with an array of lamps and since then this day is celebrated as Diwali festival. It is believed that people lit lamps on the day to welcome Lord Rama and Mata Sita.

Lakshmi Puja

Lakshmi Puja during Diwali is observed as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean on this day during the ‘samudra manthan’ (churning of ocean) by demons and gods as mentioned in the Puranas.Lakshmi Pooja is one of the most important features of Diwali celebrations. Lakshmi, who is considered the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth, is worshipped on the occasion of Diwali to bring prosperity in the family. She is also worshiped to achieve success and fortune. It is however said that she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy and untidy or desire her only as wealth. That is why before the Lakshmi Pooja, people actively clean their home and worship her with immense devotion.

Chopda Pujan

On this day people do puja of Account books and start writing their new accounts. This is called as "Chopda Pujan" meaning puja of account books. Chopda pujan is a day for everyone not only to reconcile one's financial books but also the spiritual books. People should pray to God to forgive us for all the mistakes this past year and to give the wisdom and strength to not make them the next year. The Chopda Pujan is a ceremony when ledgers and new account books are opened by the mercantile community following a special prayer and worship before the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi to earn their blessings. All the traditional Vedic rituals or Maha Puja is performed and all the devotees have a prosperous new year and there be peace throughout the world by performing Chopda Puja.

Diwali represents the start of a new business year so all businesses close their accounts and present them to Lakshmi and Ganesh during the Chopda Pujan. Inside their account ledgers they write 'Subh' (auspiciousness) and 'Labh' (merit) to invoke the two deities. Thus,Diwali is the festival when the new business year begins it is said that Diwali is the "Time to shop or start new ventures".

Celebrated as other parts in diwali is the last day of year people goes to temple & thanks for the delighted last year. Wishes Happy Diwali to neighbours & relatives via card. The whole day is considered as the last day for prepatation of coming new year. Expensive heavy fireworks during full night. House is decorated with diyas specially open space opposite to front door. Rangoli is prepared around diyas.Rangolis are an important aspect of Diwali celebrations. Rangoli adds more color to the colorful Deepavali celebrations.