Deepavali Celebration-- Legenary stories associated with Deepavali

Deepavali-Diwali is celebrated on a nation-wide on Amavasya new moon day - the 15th day of the of the Hindu month of Ashwin, (October/November) every year. It symbolizes that age-old culture of India which teaches to overcome ignorance that subdues humanity and to drive away darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. Diwali, the festival of lights even to-day in this modern world projects the rich and glorious past of India.

Every year on the dark nights of Deepavali the sound of firecrackers announces the celebration of the favorite festival of Indians. Homes are decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of lamps are lit to create a world of fantasy. Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali is by far the most glamorous and important. Enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion, its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity.

The ancient story of how Deepavali evolved into such a widely celebrated festival is different in various regions and states of India. In the north, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and the surrounding areas, Diwali is the day when King Rama's return to Ayodhya after his marathon war with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. By order of the royal families of Ayodhya and Mithila, the cities boundaries of these kingdoms were lit up with rows of lamps, glittering on dark nights to welcome home the divine king Rama and his queen Sita after 14 years of exile.

On the day of Deepavali festival, doorways are hung with toranam (doorways are decorated with garlands of colourful flowers called toranam) of mango leaves and marigolds.
Mariglod flowers are used as it checks and controls insects entry in to the house. Rangolis are drawn with different colored powders in front of the houses and are considered auspicious and symbol of good luck. Oil diyas are arranged in and around the house. Because of these flickering lamps, the festival has acquired its name: Deepavali or Diwali meaning 'a rows of lamps'.

Whatever may be the fables and legends behind the celebrations of Diwali, all people exchange sweets, wear new clothes and buy jewelry at this festive time. Card parties are held in many homes. Diwali has become commercialized as the biggest annual consumer spree because every family shops for sweets, gifts and fireworks. However, in all this frenzy of shopping and eating, the steady, burning lamp is a constant symbol of an illuminated mind.

Everyone on this festival enjoys the delicious Diwali sweets, the brightly lit Diwali Lamps and Diwali diyas, and the excitement for living that unexpectedly holds people around this time.
The history of Diwali, one of the greatest festivals celebrated with much enthusiasm and passion all over the country is replete with different kinds of legends,

from Puranas, the mythological scriptures of Hindus. There have been so many important legends associated with the occasion of Diwali that five days have been recognized for the celebration of Diwali in India with each day holding importance of its own. The following are the five days of Diwali celebtrated in Northern India. In Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh it is for three days and in Tamil Nadu it is for one day, each having the rituals and myths of its own.
• Dhanteras
• Choti Diwali
• Diwali
• Padwa
• Bhaiya-Dooj

Dhanteras
The first day of Diwali is known by the name of Dhanteras or Dhantryaodashi, which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin . A month is divided into two quarters of fifteen days. Firstday to New moon day and nex half is first day to full moon day. Tryodashi is the thirteenth day. The word 'Dhan' signifies wealth and hence this day holds utmost importance for the business houses. According to a legend associated with this particular day sixteen-year-old son of King Hima according to his horoscope was doomed to die on the fourth day of his marriage by snakebite. Thus on the fourth day of his marriage his much worried young bride lighted innumerable lamps all over the place and laid all kinds of ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance and went on telling stories and singing songs through the night. When Yam-the god of death arrived there in the guise of a serpent the dazzle of those brilliant lights blinded his eyes and he could not enter the prince's chamber. So he climbed the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat their whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning He went away quietly. Thus the wife saved her husband and since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan".

Choti Deepavali
The second day of celebration of Diwali in India is known by the name of 'Choti Diwali' and is celebrated with the same fervor and enthusiasm as the main day of Diwali. The legend related to this day is about King Bali of the nether world whose mighty power had become a threat to the gods. In order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a small boy visited him and begged him to give him only that much land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for his philanthropy King Bali proudly granted him his wish. So with his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth and asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head and putting his foot on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. Though for his generosity Lord Vishnu allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.

Deepavali-Diwali
The Third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of Lakshmi-Puja, which is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi. This day is also known by the name of "Chopada-Puja". The day of Lakshmi-Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya. It is believed that on this auspicious day Lord Krishna discarded his body. One more interesting story related to this day is of a small boy called Nichiketa who believed that Yam, the god of Death was as black as the dark night of amavasya. But when he met Yam in person, he was puzzled seeing Yam's calm countenance and dignified stature. Yam explained to Nichiketa on this day of amavasya that by only passing through the darkness of death, man sees the light of highest wisdom and then only his soul can escape from the bondage of his mortal frame to mingle with the Supreme Power without whose will nothing moves in the world. It was then that Nichiketa realized the importance of worldly life and significance of death. Nichiketa's all doubts were set at rest and he whole-heartedly participated in Diwali celebrations.

Padwa
The Fourth day is called Padwa or VarshaPratipada that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and the starting of the Vikaram-Samvat. Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. As per Vishnu-Puran, the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honor of Lord Indra and worshipped him after the end of every monsoon season. Though one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. Krishna saved his Gokul by lifting up the Govardhan Mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella. This day is also observed as Annakoot and prayers are offered in the temples.

Bhaiya-Dooj
The Fifth and final day of Diwali Festival is known by the name of "Bhaiya-Dooj" This day is observed as a symbol of love between sisters and brothers. It is believed that on this day Yamraj -the god of death visited his sister Yami and she put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, they ate, talked and enjoyed together and exchanged special gifts as a token of their love for each other and Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister on this day will be blessed. Since then it has became imperative for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaiya Dooj.
Other related stories:
Incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi
On the auspicious new moon day, which is 'Amavasyaa' of the Hindi month of Kartik, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity - Lakshmi was incarnated. She appeared during the churning of the ocean, which is known as 'Samudra Manthan', by the demons on one side and 'Devataas' (Gods) on the other side. Therefore, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the Lakshmi Pujan, on the day of Diwali, became a tradition.

Lord Krishna Destroyed Demon Narakasur
One famous story behind the celebrations of Diwali is about the demon king Narakasur, who was ruler of Pragjyotishpur, a province to the South of Nepal. After acquiring victory over Lord Indra during a war, Narakasur snatched away the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi, who was not only the ruler of Suraloka, but also a relative of Lord Krishna's wife - Satyabhama. Narakasur also imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of Gods and saints in his harem. With the support of Lord Krishna, Satyabhama defeated Narakasur, released all the women from his harem and restored the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi.

The Return of The Pandavas
The great Hindu epic 'Mahabharata' has another interesting story related to the 'Kartik Amavasyaa'. According to the story, 'the Pandavas', the five brothers Yudhishthhira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahdeva, were sentenced to thirteen years exile as a result of their defeat against 'the Kauravas' - Duryodhana and his ninety nine brothers, at the game of dice. Therefore, the Pandavas spent thirteen years in the jungles and returned to their kingdom on the day of 'Kartik Amavasyaa'. On their return, the people of their kingdom welcomed the Pandavas by celebrating the event by lighting the earthen lamps all over in their city.

Neer Thumbo habba:

In Karnataka state and more so in north Karnataka, the first day of Deepavali festival is called Neer Thumbo Habba. "Neer" meaning Water and Thumbo meaning " filling or collecting".  It is cleaning and venerating of water. The spiritual significance here is attributed to inner self cleaning. As cleaning with water removes all the dirt, eveil, inauspicious things. So, the practice of throwing away contaminated water and cleaninga the pots and filling with pure and safe water for the festival. It is also the practice of celnaing the hosue , cow shed with water and drawing of beautiful rangoli at the entrance in order to welcome Goddess Lakshmi on Amavasya Day.  It is observed on 13th day of waning moon phase in the month of Ashvija.

Again, near the pots lights are lit as to protect it from insects or ants coming close to. As in winter, days are short and nights are long, more insects would creep into the house and so on. Lights lit would check and stop them from entering.

More than Deepavali celebration, I use to enjoy neer thunmbo habba a lot during my childhood. Every ritualistic practice has a solid significance and scientific base behind.

Again it is during Diwali the floor painting of rangoli is done in the central part of the house. The rangoli symbolically denotes the deity of worship. Two interfaced triangles are drawn that denotes the symbolizes Mother Saraswati and circling it twenty-four lotus is drawn denoting Lakshmi. In Bihar state of India, Goddess Lakshmi foot prints are drawn at the door entrance. In Andhra Pradesh Ashtadal Kamal and in Tamil Nadu Hridaya Kamalam are drawn. In Maharashtra, it is Shankh Kamal and Thabak (Salver) is drawn.whereas, in Gujarat state more than thousand variations of lotus ranglois are drawn during Diwali.