Wednesday, November 28, 2007

DEEPAVALI FESTIVAL REASONS

DEEPAVALI : FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

OORELLA BELAKAGO DEEPAVALI
ULLASA THARUVANTHA DEEPAVALI
ELLELLU PATAKIGALA BALUHAVALI

This Kannada song is very famous during Deepavali festival. It means that the city is lighted up, these lights brings joy and happiness, everywhere you can hear cracker sound and it goes on..

Deepavali : The word `Deepavali’ literally means rows of Deepa or Diya (clay lamp). Deepavali is a festival for lighting rows of lamps. There is also a deeper meaning associated with this. Lamps give light, which is a symbol of Gyana (knowledge). Knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievements can be accomplished. Lakshmi (wealth) increases only in the environment of knowledge and light, where the intentions and motives are clear and full of wisdom.
Wherever there is Agyana, that is darkness or ignorance, it leads to loss of wealth and even if it is acquired it is not long lasting. Hence we light lamps to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.
The symbolism of light is essential to this festival. It is understood that without light there can be no life. Light is responsible for the development of all living things. Light is associated with heat, the sun and the divine.
It is also stated that during this day Goddess Lakshmi resides in the flame of the Deepa or Diya making the purpose of lighting the Deepa even more significant.
The traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual and scientific significance. The spiritual significance being that the oil or ghee in the lamp symbolises our Vaasanas (negative tendencies) and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the Vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The scientific reason can be stated in a way that ghee lamp is a mode of purifying the environment and distributing what one has to give to a large number of people.
The celebration of the four-day festival commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdashi and concludes on Kartika Shuddha Vijiya. The first day of the festival NARAKA CHATURDASHI marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Sathyabhama.

Naraka, son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power from a blessing given by Lord Brahma after a severe penance. Narakasura ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace with his invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture. But Naraka had a boon that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Sathyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka.

When Krishna fell unconscious after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Sathyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Naraka, killing him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhudevi. The slaying of Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they step in to the wrong path. The message of Naraka Chaturdashi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one’s own personal bonds. It is interesting to note that Bhudevi, mother of the slain demon Naraka, declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. It is said Lord Krishna had an oil bath to rid himself off the blood spattered on his body when Naraka was killed. The tradition is followed and people offer prayers on the previous day of the Naraka Chaturdashi to the vessel in which water is being heated for having bath. Hindus light fireworks, which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day.

The second day is AMAVASYA when Lakshmi puja is performed. It is believed that on this day Gnaesha, God of Wisdom and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Lakshmi would be in her benevolent mood and fulfill the wishes of her devotees. It was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Ksheera Sagara (Ocean of Milk), when the Gods and demons were churning the sagara (ocean) for nectar (Amrutha). Lakshmi Pooja is performed in the evenings when tiny clay lamps are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits, devotional songs in praise of Goddess Lakshmi are sung and Naivedya of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess.
Some practices, they do Kedareshwari vrata, Nombu, Mahagowri pooja etc.
Pooja styles varies according to the individual family traditions and customs.
Styles are different but the form is one. Different directions to one destination.

King Bali of the netherworld, with his mighty power, had become a threat to the gods. To curb his powers, Lord Vishnu in the guise of a Brahmin boy (Vamana), visited him and begged for that much land he could cover with three footsteps.

So, with the first step, Vamana covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth. When he asked Bali where he could keep his third step, Bali offered his head and put the Lord’s foot on his head. Lord Vishnu banishes Bali into the Pathala (nether land) by his third stride. Later, pleased by his generosity, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon to return to earth once in a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.

Meanwhile, the Goddess is unable to bear the separation and her grief affects the functioning of the entire universe. Brahma and Lord Shiva offer themselves as guards and plead with Bali to relieve Vishnu. So, on the Amavasya day, Lord Vishnu returns to his abode and Goddess Lakshmi is delighted. It is believed that those who worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day would be bestowed with all the riches.

The third day is Kartika Shuddha Padyami which is BALI PADYAMI and Bali would come out of Pathala Loka and rule Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as ‘Bali Padyami’. The fourth day is referred to as ‘Yama Dwitheeya.’ On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes and offer them gifts.

However, in the northern part of India it is celebrated as the return of Lord Rama along with Seetha and Lakshmana from his 14 years of exile after killing demon Ravana. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his subjects illuminated the kingdom and burst crackers. For the business community, Deepavali marks the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and also the beginning of the new financial year. On this day Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. Believing this day to be auspicious, women purchase some gold and silver or at least one or two new utensils. People in Bengal worship Goddess Kali or Durga during the festival of lights.

Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting clay lamps, decorating the houses, bursting crackers, inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast and exchanging sweets. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame.

It is said that seven lights brighten a house. The first one is ever-burning oil lamps in front of the god, which fights against darkness. Second one is the blessings of elders. Third is by pleasant moods of the housewife and the fourth is efficiency and honesty of the owner. Blessing of a satisfied guest is the fifth light; children’s happiness is the sixth and a good word uttered by the neighbours is the seventh light. People do not put off the light as the light takes man towards prosperity, knowledge and lift the human soul to the height of divine.

Gopuja
Gopuja (worshipping the cow) is conducted to revere the sacred animal. In villages, cattle are adorned and worshipped by farmers as they help them in cultivation. And are the main sources of income. Farmers are closely associated with cattle. They wash animals and decorate them with garlands, place Kumkum and turmeric powder on their forehead and offer pooja for them. Animals are fed with various sweets and other delicious foods. Some people also paint the horns of bullocks. It is a way of thanking animals, which helped them in cultivation and other activities. Some people celebrate this also as Dhanyalakshmi Pooja, where grocery shop owners offer pooja to the goddess of food and grains.

For Jains, Deepavali is the beginning of New Year and the sacred day of the Nirvana of Lord Mahaveera. Sikhs celebrate Deepavali and lighten the Swarna Mandir at Amritsar. Moghul King Jahangeer released Harigovinda Singh, the sixth Guru of Sikhs, on Deepavali after a long imprisonment.

In North India, its 5 days DIWALI festival
1.Dhanteras
2.Choti diwali
3.Lakshmi puja on Diwali
4.Padwa or Govardhan pooja
5.Bhai Dooj

The story is same, meaning is same but the style is different .

Throughout India, Deepavali festival recipes are different. Each state has its unique way of festival recipes which is DELICIOUS DELIGHTS TO ONE AND ALL.