Celebrating this time of the year – Diwali 2016
The soft gleam of the little oil lamps piercing through the darkness, beautiful lights hung around houses, the floral scent of decorations made with beautiful blossoms, booming sounds of the firecrackers lighting up the streets, mouthwatering smell of the scrumptious delicacies in the kitchen, the happiness prevailing all around reminds us about nothing other than our joyous “festival of lights” – Diwali or Deepavali.
Not just in India, grand celebrations are put up throughout the world on the occasion of Diwali. The whole world lights up for the Diwali celebrations. The week-long festive run up add to the excitement of Diwali. The festival symbolizes a new dawn, a ray of spirit in an ocean of darkness and the win of good over the evil.
In today’s hustle & bustle, festivals are the time when we all get to enjoy family time and have some fun. Diwali is one among those Indian festivals celebrated with most enthusiasm irrespective of religion. The young and the old both have their equal share of participation.
Diwali is not just celebrated on a single day; the preparations and rituals last for a five-day long period. It is celebrated on the darkest new moon night. For those who know least of the traditions and rituals to be performed during the auspicious days, here is a summary of them.
DHANTERAS – The festive rituals of Diwali begin with Dhanteras. As a part of the festivities, people clean their houses and decorate them with loads of lights and beautiful Rangoli designs at their doorsteps. Marked as the day on which goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth and prosperity) and Goddess Dhanvantari (Goddess of health and healing) were born. Dhanteras is when the diyas keep burning all night as a part of the rituals. Dhanteras is also considered as an auspicious day for the purchase of gold and silver articles.
NARAKA CHATURDASI – The second day of Diwali is observed as Naraka Chaturdasi. The day celebrates the victory of Krishna over a demon, Narakasura. With just a day away, Deepavali preparations go on in full swing on this day with the preparation of sweets and savories. Holy Pujas and rituals are also held as a part of the celebrations.
LAKSHMI PUJA – The third day, Lakshmi Puja is the most important day of the Diwali celebrations. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi is believed to visit the Earth. Hence, people keep the doors and windows open, perform pujas and light up lamps all around the house to welcome the Goddess into their homes which will bring in prosperity and wealth for the forthcoming year. This is the day when the entire world gets lit up for Diwali and the sweet scent of delicacies floats in the air everywhere.The evenings gets most celebratory as everyone steps out of their homes to burst firecrackers. The sky keeps shimmering with the crackle of the occasional rockets & other fire works.
PADWA – The day just after Diwali, called Padwa, celebrates the bond shared by a husband and wife. It has many rituals honoring the devotion and love between a husband and wife. Husbands gift their wives on this special day. Women also visit their maternal houses as a part of the festivities.
BHAI DUJ – The last day of Diwali goes for the celebration of a brother-sister relationship called as Bhai Duj. Rituals are performed by sisters for the well being and prosperity of their brothers. Back in the day this was celebrated with more fervor as brothers would travel long distances to meet their sisters or bring their sisters home to celebrate the special day.
Diwali, on a whole is a festival of immense joy and delight. Just a period of five days, but it brings with itself loads of happiness and honors every relationship. Lots of gifts & home made sweets are exchanged on the occasion among friends and family.
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Make Diwali 2016 memorable with our simple, elegant and mouthwatering cakes!
Wishing everyone an auspicious, happy and safe Diwali 2016!
