Diwali
Diwali is one of the biggest festival of Hindus, celebrated with great admiration and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where third days is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or “Festival of lights”.
Dhanteras marks the first day of five-days-long Diwali Festival. To show the Goddess's longawaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. On Dhanteras Hindus purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils.
Chhoti Diwali The day before Diwali is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali or “small Diwali”. It is Diwali on a smaller scale, with fewer lights lit. In South India in this day people wake up before sunrise prepare a paste by mixing Kumkum in oil, symbolizing blood and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon King that was smashed by Krishna, apply that mixture on their foreheads. Then they have an oil bath using sandalwood paste.
Laxmi Puja Different colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with this festival. According to legend, Lakshmi visits her devotees and give presents. To welcome the Goddess, devotees clean their houses, decorate them with lights and candles, and prepare sweet treats and delicacies.
Padwa & Govardhan Puja Gudi Padwa is symbolic of love and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly-married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals and given presents. Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. The people of Gokul celebrated a festival in honor of Lord Indra and worshiped him after the end of every monsoon season but one particular year the young Krishna stopped them and Lord Indra in terrific anger sent a deluge on Gokul. People were afraid, but Krishna assured them that no harm would be with them. He lifted the mountain with his little finger and saved people and beasts from the rain. After this, Indra accepted the supremacy of Krishna.
Bhai Dooj The fifth or the last day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj. According to religious scriptures, the God of death, went to visit his sister's house after a long period of separation. His sister, Yami was very happy to see him and welcomed him by putting an mark on his forehead for his welfare. Till date, sisters perform puja for their brothers safety and well being. Brothers in return give gifts to their sisters. The essence of the Bhai dooj festival is that it is celebrated to increase the love between brothers and sisters.
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