The Origin of Diwali
Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Krishna and the eldest son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya, from his 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman after killing Ravana, a demon king. The people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and fireworks to celebrate the return of their king.
In rural areas of India , Diwali, which occurs at the end of a growing season, signifies Harvest Festival. Harvests normally spelt prosperity. After reaping their harvest, farmers celebrated with joy and offered praises to God for granting them a good crop.
At the time of the reign of Emperor Prithu, for example, there was a worldwide famine. He ordered that all available cultivatable lands be ploughed. When the rains came, the land became very fertile and grains were planted. The harvest provided food not only to feed all of India , but for all civilisation at the time. This harvest was close to Diwali time and was a good reason to celebrate Diwali with great joy and merriment by a wider community.
When Lord Krishna destroyed Narakasura on the day before Diwali, the news of it travelled very rapidly throught the land. It gave people who were already in a joyful mood another reason for celebrating Diwali with greater pride and elaboration.
In the Adi Parva of the Mahabarata, the Pandavas returned from the forest during Diwali time. Once more, the celebrations extended beyond the boundaries of India to wherever Hindus lived.
The First Day of Diwali
The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Trayodasi, also Dhan Theras. It is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh (the dark fortnight) of the month of Kartika. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari appeared, delivering Ayurvedic medicine for mankind.
This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset, Hindus bathe and offer oil lamps with prasada (sanctified food) to Yamaraja (the Lord of Death) and pray for protection from untimely death.
The Second Day of Diwali
The second day of Diwali is called Naraka Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika and the eve of Diwali. On this day, Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasura and liberated the 16,000 princesses which the demon held captive.
The Third Day of Diwali (actual Diwali)
This is the actual day of Diwali, the Hindu New Year, when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, and triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Historically, Bali Maharaja, who had captured Laksmi, was defeated on this day by Lord Krishna's dwarf brahmana incarnation, Vamanadeva. This is also the day on which Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, having successfully rescued Sita and defeated the demon, Ravana.
Lord Ramachandra returns to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile, with Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman.
The Fourth Day of Diwali
On this day, Govardhana Puja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Govardhana Puja. From then on, every year, Hindus worship Govardhana to honour that first Puja done by the people of Vraja.
It is written in the Ramayana that when the bridge to Lanka was being built by the Vanara army, Hanuman (a divine loyal servant of Lord Rama possessing enormous strength) was bringing a mountain as material to help with the construction of the bridge. When a call was given that enough materials had already been obtained, Hanuman placed the mountain down before He reached the construction site. Due to lack of time, he did not return the mountain to its original place.
The deity presiding over this mountain spoke to Hanuman asking of his reason for leaving the mountain there. Hanuman replied that the mountain should remain there until the age of Dvapara when Lord Rama incarnates as Lord Krishna, who will shower His grace on the mountain, and will instruct that the mountain be worshiped not only in that age but but in ages to come. This deity whom Hanuman spoke to was none other than Govardhana (an incarnation of Lord Krishna), who manifested Himself in the form of the mountain.
To fulfill this decree, Govardhan Puja was performed and this celebration is continued to this day.
Lord Krishna lifts the Govardhan hill to protect the residents of Vrindavan from Indra's mighty storm.
The Fifth Day of Diwali
The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. This is the day after Govardhana Puja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day. It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha Bandhan (brothers day). Well this is sisters day.
Many moons ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamaraja, the Lord of Death) visited His sister, Yamuna, on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan (boon) that whoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will achieve moksha, or liberation.
From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their welfare, and many faithful bathe in the holy waters of the Yamuna river.
This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations
(This article was send to me on my post earlier)
