Diwali is the biggest Hindu festival. The word diwali is extracted from the sanskrit word deepawali, which means rows of lamps (diya). Every house in India is decorated on the precious day of Diwali. houses decorated by Diwali light, pooja items, and diyas filled with oil. Many people decorate their societies and streets for this special festival; also, people use fireworks for Diwali. On this day, people do all this to celebrate the victory of the good spirit over the evil spirit. Many communities in India celebrate Diwali as a new year. For the arrival of the new year, people clean and decorate their homes, purchase, and wear new clothes. Diwali is a festival that is the best time for family reunions and meeting with friends and their loved ones. Also on this day, Indian soldiers distribute sweets to Pakistani soldiers. Diwali is the best festival if you are a devotional person. Buying gifts for relatives and friends on Diwali is the oldest and most important tradition. Traditional sweets, dry fruits, and other gifts were traded among family and friends on Diwali.
Why is diwali celebrated
According to Ramcharitmanas and Hinduism, on the day of Diwali, Lord Rama comes back to his city, Ayodhya, after killing demon king Ravana. Diwali lies 21 days after Dussehra, the day when Lord Rama ended the terror of Ravana. Lord Rama has arrived in his native city, Ayodhya, after completing 14 years of exile. So the people from Ayodhya celebrated this day with full joy and lit Diya's in full city.
Also, according to Vishnu Puran, it is mentioned that on this day Lord Krishna killed the Narkasura and made his kingdom free from terror. Lord Krishna made this day a festive day after killing the demon.
On this day, Hindus worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi, as Diwali is celebrated for New Beginning, so Lord Ganesha is worshiped because he has the place of the first god in Hinduism, and Goddess Laxmi is worshiped because she is the goddess of wealth, and the devotee requests Maa Laxmi for blessings of wealth.
Essential items for diwali
On the special day of Diwali, people decorate their homes to welcome good luck, positivity, and happiness. To add more power in celebration, traditional pooja is done by using these pooja samagri:
1. Kumkum — It is a red power used to apply holy tilak on the forehead.
2. Chandan - Extracted from sandalwood, also a type of element used for applying tilak on the forehead, has great significance in Hinduism.
3. Haldi - Haldi is a spice but has very big and great significance in Hinduism. It is used for calmness.
4. Paan and supari — These are the main elements of puja rituals. These are symbols of loyalty and a strong bond.
5. Coconut — Coconut is placed on the water pot along with mango leaves. It presents sacrifices of gods.
6. Incense sticks - Incense sticks are used to spread fragrance and positivity.
7. Oil lamp — A diya is sameting; without that, puja can't be started. It is used to remove darkness from everyone's life.
8. Gangajal - Gangajal is holy water used to remove all the impurities.
9. Flowers — These are used to worship gods and to fulfill all our desires.
10. Prasad - Prasad is the biggest thing of a puja; firstly, offer it to God and then distribute that among all the devotees. It is a symbol that puja is successfully completed.
Know More About : Diwali 2024 Date, Pooja Vidhi and Shubh Mahurat
