Diwali 5 Days

These six days of Diwali hold cultural and spiritual significance, reinforcing the values of prosperity, goodness, cleanliness, community, sibling love, and inner beauty.

Dhanteras: On the first day of Diwali, people clean and decorate their homes. It's believed that buying new things, especially gold or silver items, brings good luck. In the evening, oil lamps or diyas are lit to welcome prosperity into the house.

• Significance: Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, emerged from the ocean of milk. People worship her and pray for prosperity.
• Rituals: People clean their homes, buy new items, especially gold or silver, and light oil lamps to invite good fortune.
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Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali): This day is all about cleansing and purification. People take oil baths, and a special paste called 'Ubtan' is applied to their bodies. It's believed to ward off evil. Families also make colorful rangoli designs at their doorsteps. This day is also known as Roop Chaturdashi.

• Significance: Naraka Chaturdashi symbolizes the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. It signifies the triumph of good over evil. Also called Roop Chaturdashi and popularly known as 'Choti Diwali.' It's a day to cleanse oneself physically and spiritually, enhancing one's inner and outer beauty.
• Rituals: People take oil baths, apply 'Ubtan' (a special paste) on their bodies, create rangoli designs, and light oil lamps to ward off negativity and cleanse themselves spiritually. People take special baths, apply fragrant oils and ubtan (a paste made from herbs) on their bodies to purify and beautify themselves. It is believed that observing these rituals brings inner radiance.
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Diwali (Main Day): This is the most important day. People get dressed in their finest clothes, exchange gifts, and visit friends and family. In the evening, the entire house is illuminated with oil lamps, candles, and colorful lights. Firecrackers are also burst to celebrate the victory of light over darkness.

• Significance: Diwali is the most important day, signifying the return of Lord Rama after defeating Ravana and the triumph of light over darkness.
• Rituals: Families exchange gifts, wear new clothes, light diyas and candles to illuminate their homes, and burst fireworks to celebrate the victory of good.

Govardhan Puja (Padwa): This day is dedicated to Lord Krishna. People prepare various delicious sweets and offerings to celebrate the bond between the community and the environment. It's a day of gratitude for the harvest and cattle.

• Significance: Govardhan Puja honors Lord Krishna's act of lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers from torrential rains. It underscores the importance of nature and community.
• Rituals: People prepare various sweets and food offerings, create a small hill-like structure from cow dung, and decorate it to remember Lord Krishna's divine deed.
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Bhai Dooj: The final day is all about the bond between siblings. Sisters apply a tilak (vermilion mark) on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their well-being. In return, brothers give gifts to their sisters and promise to protect them.

• Significance: Bhai Dooj celebrates the bond between siblings, emphasizing love and protection. Sisters pray for their brothers' well-being.
• Rituals: Sisters apply a tilak on their brothers' foreheads, perform aarti (ritual prayer), and exchange gifts. Brothers, in return, promise to protect their sisters.

These five days of Diwali are a time for families to come together, celebrate their culture, and strengthen their relationships while spreading happiness and light.