Skip to main content
J
jesudoss1-Visitor
1-Visitor
November 10, 2004
Question

PROSPEROUS DEEPAVALI 2004

  • November 10, 2004
  • 3 replies
  • 1210 views
/
WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
A VERY HAPPY
AND
PROSPEROUS
DEEPAVALI
2004/

--

S.D.Jesudoss
Sr PRODUCT EXECUTIVE
ROLTA INDIA Ltd
Regional office(South)
Unit No 6A&6B, 6th Floor, Century Plaza,
561 & 562 Mount Road, Chennai-600018
jesudoss@rolta.com
trydoss@yahoo.co.in
Tel:(044)24349634/24329107
Cell: 9884440544

    3 replies

    N
    nicfre11-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    November 10, 2004
    For those out there like myself that are not too familiar with Indian
    customs and recieved a Happy Deepavali email from Jesudoss, I just thought I
    would share the true meaning of Deepavali. It sure sounds like they have
    many enjoyable festivals. I would even think about moving there, but the
    only question is, how is the economy? It isn't too good here right
    now...many companies outsourcing jobs overseas.

    Deepavali - the Festival of Lights

    India is a land of festivals where you will see at least one major festival
    each month. Deepavali (or Diwali) which literally means "rows of lamps" is
    one of the four main festivals of India. Throughout the world all Hindus
    celebrate Deepavali or Diwali with great pomp and enthusiasm.

    The celebration of Diwali lasts six days, beginning on the 12th day of the
    month of Kartik (as per the North Indian lunar calendar). The day before
    Diwali, in order to evoke the grace of God, women fast. It is not that God
    wants you to go hungry or takes pleasure in your suffering - the principle
    is that you gain only by giving up. That evening, devotees worship Gomata
    (the cow) and her calf and feed them special food. Women pray for the
    welfare of the entire family. This holy day is called Vasubaras.

    The first official day of Diwali falls on the 13th of Kartik. People set
    about cleaning houses and shops, and decorating doorsteps and courtyards
    with rangoli or multi-coloured designs. They purchase gold ornaments, new
    vessels, clothes, and other such items. Devotees arise early in the morning
    before sunrise and take oil baths. If possible, they wear new clothes. In
    the evening, people worship coins representing wealth. Houses and courtyards
    glow from the lights, and families decorate with lanterns. This day of
    celebration is called Dhantrayodashi or Dhanteras.

    The second day is called Naraka Chaturdashi. People take an oil bath in the
    early morning and then in the night they light lamps and burn firecrackers.
    People visit their relatives and friends, exchanging love and sweets.

    On the third day, people worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. People
    decorate their houses with lit lamps and lanterns to welcome Lakshmi to
    their home and hearts. On this day businessmen close old accounts and open
    new accounts. The earth is lit up by lamps and the skies are coloured by the
    multi-hued lights of fireworks.

    In North India, the Govardhana Puja occurs on the fourth day of Diwali.
    Devotees in the North build hillocks made of cow dung, symbolising
    Govardhana, and decorate and worship them. North Indians observe this day as
    Annakoot, or the mountain of food.

    The fifth day of the festival called Bhaiyya Dooj celebrates unique and fun
    customs. Every man dines in his sister's house, and, in return, presents her
    with gifts. North India calls it Yama Dwitiya. Thousands of brothers and
    sisters join hands and have a sacred bath in the river Yamuna.

    The Legends
    Dhanteras
    The scriptures mention the divinity called Dhanvantari emerging from the
    churning of the ocean with a kalash (pot) filled with Amrit (ambrosia). Due
    to the fact that Dhanvantari, who revealed the science of Ayurveda to the
    world, first manifested on this day, all over India, doctors following the
    Ayurvedic system of medicine organise joyful celebrations of the annual
    Dhanvantari festival.

    Naraka Chaturdashi
    There is a legend about a king of Prag-Jyotishpur, named Narakasura. He was
    a powerful king who misused power to harass his subjects. Sri Krishna
    destroyed this oppressive asura king on this day. Unjustly imprisoned people
    celebrated their freedom with friends and family. The citizens celebrated
    deliverance from Narkasura's reign by lighting lamps.

    Sri Rama
    Deepavali falls on a no-moon day - in fact the darkest day of the year. The
    illuminations and fireworks, joy and festivities, are to signify the victory
    of divine forces over the powers of darkness. On Deepavali day, triumphant
    Sri Rama is said to have returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the
    asura king of Lanka.

    Goddess Lakshmi Devi
    The Puranas say that it was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi, who emerged
    from the churning of the ocean of milk, married Lord Vishnu, the repository
    of all divine qualities.

    Govardhana Puja
    In order to shelter the gopis and gopas and their cows from the torrential
    rains sent by Indra, Krishna lifted a hill near Mathura called Govardhana
    with his finger and sheltered all the people for a period of seven days
    under it. By then Indra saw Krishna's greatness and asked him for
    forgiveness.

    Bhaiyya Dooj
    The river Yamuna and Yama the God of Death were brother and sister. As they
    grew up they went their different ways. On this day Yama supposedly visited
    his sister Yamuna, who in her joy at seeing her brother after such a long
    interlude set up a feast for him. Pleased, Yama granted her a boon. He
    declared that every man that receives a tilak or vermilion mark on the
    forehead from his sister and presents her with lovely gifts on this day
    would attain higher worlds.

    The message of Deepavali
    The traditional name of India is Bharata and Indians are Bharatias - or
    those who revel in light. During the night of Deepavali the myriad little
    clay lamps (diyas) seem to silently send forth message of Deepavali: "Come,
    let us remove darkness from the face of the earth."

    The dharma of the fire is the same wherever it is: in a poor man's house, in
    a rich man's house, in America, in Antarctica, or in the Himalayas. It gives
    light and heat. The flame of the light is always turned up. Even if we keep
    the lamp upside down, the flame will burn upwards. The message is that our
    mind should be focused on Atman, the Self wherever we are. The lamps remind
    us of our dharma of realising our divine nature.

    "The Self is self-luminous being pure Consciousness. The cognition of all
    objects arises from the light of pure Consciousness." -says Bhrihadaranyaka
    Upanishad

    One lamp can light several others. You can even light another 1000 lamps,
    still the flame and the light of the first lamp will remain as it is. It
    loses nothing. By becoming manifold, the light loses nothing. The lights of
    Deepavali represent Brahman and the creation. It conveys the message of the
    J
    jaykm1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    November 10, 2004
    Sorry folks, Couldn't help but comment!!

    :))) Just Wonderful Nick,

    The effort you put in to understand a different culture/tradition gave me
    warm fuzzy feeling!! :)) . I am from India as well and as you said, we do
    celebrate many festivals (there are are 6-7 major religions followed in
    India and every religion has atleast 3-5 big festivals in a yr!).. which
    means about 15 holidays/year just on account of festivals :-D. This also
    translates into many gastronomical adventures!! Hope you'll visit India
    sometime and get a taste of what lies in the country of snake charmers 😉

    May this Festival bring in peace,joy and happiness to all of us and our near
    and dear ones.
    God bless,
    Jaya
    B
    bob_olsen1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    November 10, 2004
    Thanks Nick!
    Terms & ConditionsCookie settingsAccessibility statement