Diwali  |
| Date Added: 30/09/2005 |
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Festival of Diwali
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| The festivities of Diwali
cover numerous days and encompass the following: Dhan Teras, Kali Chaudas,
Diwali, Ankoot and Bhai Beej. |
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Dhan Teras
Firstly, Dhan Teras, known also as “Aaso Vadi Teras”
falls on the thirteenth day of the dark half of the month of Ashwin (i.e.
Teras) and usually occurs two days before Diwali. On this day, houses
are decorated with candles, cleaned, cows and bulls are colorfully decorated,
horns and hooves of cattle are colored red and “rangoli” patterns
are drawn outside people’s homes as a welcoming gesture. On this
day, Goddess Laxmiji should be adorned in a green sari and be offered
with jelabi and khaja sweets. New “Dhan” (wealth) i.e. precious
metal or utensils are bought as a sign of good luck for the year to come.
This day is also in honor of Dhanvantri, an incarnation of Vishnu.
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| Kali Chaudas |
Secondly, Kali Chaudas (Narki Chaturadhi)
occurs on the penultimate day before Diwali. Shikshaptri sloka 127 states:
“Acharya shall perform worship of Shree Ganapti on the 4th
day of the first half of the month of Badrapada, and that of Hanuman on
the 14th day of the second half of the month of Ashwin”
This day is devoted to Hanuman with Achyaras performing puja of Hanuman.
Lord Swaminarayan has also instructed all his devotees to worship Hanuman
on this day by offering oil, “Sindhoor” and “Akdra Phool”
(fragranced flowers.) Hanuman served Lord Ram devoutly and many leelas
exemplify this, none more so than when He rescued Sitaji from Raavan.
He has also served, protected Swaminarayan Bhagwan throughout His life
and is one of the greatest Ekantik Bhaktas (pure devotee) of God. Thus
coconuts and ladva made from sesame seeds are offered to Hanuman.
Furthermore, on this day, Lord Shree Krishna defeated the demon Narkasur
and liberated 16,000 gopis. He also married each and every one of them,
taking them to Dwarika. |
| Diwali |
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Diwali, also known as “Deepvali” literally
translates to a row of lights (Diva). On this day, Lord Ram returned to
Ayodhya after being exiled for 14 years with Sita & Laxman, after defeating
Ravaan, King of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya lit lamps to mark the homecoming
and to celebrate good overcoming evil. Furthermore, Laxmi pujan prayers
are offered to Laxmiji, Goddess of Wealth so that one may gain prosperity
for the forthcoming New Year. Chopra pujan is also undertaken by people
of a business nature whereby pujan is done to “books of accounts”.
Fireworks are also lit to mark the last day of the Vikram Samvat year. |
| Ankoot |
Ankoot (Varsha Pratipada) occurs the
day after Diwali and is celebrated today with grand festivities, vigor and
joy. Traditionally, it is the end of the monsoon season and thus crops are
ready to be harvested. They are firstly served to God Almighty and hence
today hundreds of varieties of rich, exquisite, finely prepared items of
food are offered to the Lord and then served as Prasad. Furthermore, Lord
Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan to protect the people of Gokul from heavy
rains. So, prasad is served first to Mount Govardhan and then to the Lord.
One may see, out of the many varities of food, a mountain made of butter
and this resembles Mount Govardhan.Family and friends also greet each other
to welcome in the New Year (Nutan Varsh), commencing Kartik Sud 1 with gifts
and presents being exchanged.
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| Bhai Beej |
| Lastly, Bhai Beej occurs on the day
after Ankoot and is a day where sisters show their low, gratitude and affection
towards their brothers. The brothers are invited to their sisters’
houses for a specially cooked meal in thanks for all the support they receive.
Satsangis today should not forget that Sarvopari Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan
celebrated all festivals with grand merriment. We should take reference
to the Vachnamrut, Gadhara PP 3 in which states that should a person remember
at his/her time of death; the Lord’s satsangis, sadhus, festivals
etc, he/she will be released from the bondage of life and death and attain
Moksha.
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