Diwali Festival in India: photo

Each country has its own ethnic holidays, which the people are proud of. This is part of the culture, an event thanks to which you can learn many interesting facts about the state, its history and formation. Such celebrations are known in the whole world, and quite often tourists come specially to this or that power to see firsthand what is happening. The Diwali festival in India is one such celebration. Diwali or Deepavali is a festival of lights and is dedicated to the goddess of happiness and wealth of Lakshmi. He is the symbol of the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Deepavali is considered the main Hindu festival, which is celebrated everywhere in India.

What the event looks like

The festival of Diwali in India is associated with fireworks and lights. From Sanskrit its name translates as a fiery bunch, that's why in the days when the event takes place, rural and city streets are illuminated with thousands of salutes and lights. Explosions of rockets, firecrackers and firecrackers are discharged in the air. Statues of gods and streets of settlements are decorated with lighted candles and shimmering lanterns (Deepa).

During the celebration people adhere to the old traditions - the Indians dress up in new toilets, clean their homes, near the entrances to the houses put lighted oil lamps, and the thresholds are decorated with garlands of flowers. On such days it is necessary to refrain from the five basic vices: greed, lust, predisposition, anger and ego, which means the purification of one's own words, actions and thoughts.

In modern India, it is considered Diwali holiday New Year. As a rule, it falls on the end of October - the beginning of November. The celebration coincides with the arrival of winter and the end of the monsoon rainy season. The exact date of the celebration is influenced by the location of the moon, so every year it takes place on different days.

The legend of the origin of the holiday

The festival of Diwali in India began to celebrate several centuries ago. Many different legends are associated with such a remarkable event. So, there is a belief that the festival has the closest relationship to the victory of Krishna over Narakasura, a demonic being who was engaged in the abduction of Indian princes. God Krishna managed to overcome the demon, and in honor of this the people welcomed him with lighted torches, torches and lamps. It was from here and the custom arose to ignite on this day everywhere oil lanterns, torches, fireworks and candles, which are located near the statues of sacred animals and gods.

If you believe other Jewish legends, Diwali is associated with the goddess Lakshmi. Walls people on the eve of the event painted on her honor, acquire supplies for rituals, food and gold, so that Lakshmi in return gave them wealth and abundance.

There is also the opinion that Diwali is a holiday honoring the glorification of the god Rama, the celebration of his ascension to the throne, as well as the just and wise reign.

Territorial features of Deepavali

The Diwali festival in India is distinguished by its peculiarities in every territory. In the western part of the country on this day it is customary to clean apartments and workplaces. And in the evening, the windows of private houses and shops are lit with all sorts of electrical appliances, lamps and lanterns.

Individuals believing that Diwali is associated with Lakshmi on the day of the feast also carry out general cleaning, pray, light the lights and make the goddess gifts in the form of milk with coins lowered in it. At night, doors and windows are not locked, so that the goddess can freely enter the housing, if she wants it.

In South India, it is believed that Deepavali is an event timed to Krsna's victory over the demon. On this day, every Indian induces coconut oil on her body, comparing the ritual with bathing in the sacred river Ganges and getting rid of sins.

But in the east of the country on such a significant day, the goddess Calais is worshiped, which personifies the cult of force. For ten days they pray and bow before the images of the deity, and then immerse them in water.

The customs associated with the festival

The celebration of the lights of Diwali in India lasts for five days. At this time, the whole country is turning into a colorful and unforgettable fire show. People's hearts are lit up by the lights of celebration, not only with colorful shades, but also with good, as it is customary to present presents, help those in need and, in general, to show attention to everyone around them. No other holiday in India is given such a huge amount of gifts, how many do it in Deepavali. Owners of grocery stores in honor of the festival arrange sales for individuals who can not afford to buy expensive food at another time. Neighbors are invited to treat all sorts of sweet delicacies.

In the period of Diwali, it is customary to spend money on neighbors, friends and acquaintances. Especially popular are coins, which depict the deities of Lakshmi and Ganesha. Also, various unusual souvenirs, jewelry and art objects are popular. Dried fruits and sweets these days are sold and given in a variety of baskets. With the help of such surprises, people show respect and love for their dear and close people. During the festivities, no one should be left without attention or being deprived.

The first day of the festival

Diwali, a festival of light and fire in India, as already mentioned, is celebrated for five days, each of which is dedicated to a certain legend. So, the first day is the most important and it is called Dhanvantari. This is the main incarnation of Vishnu. Hindus believe that the main deity appeared on this day and gave them the nectar of immortality. Ayurvedic knowledge was the same nectar. The first day of the festival is a period of prayer, health and sacrifice: a ritual offer of food (puja) is performed to the god Vishnu.

Activities of the second day

What the Diwali holiday in India means, we have already explained, and now we will explain what events take place during the second day of the celebration. It was at this time, according to tradition, that Krishna defeated Narakasura. In the morning, it is customary to wash the branches of the apomarga. The big boss, the head of the country or the mayor of the settlement is obliged to light the lamp in the temple of Krishna, thus symbolizing prosperity and peaceful prosperity among the subjects. In some regions, people put on their foreheads a strip of cinnabar, because it is believed that after casting the demon, Krishna smeared his face with his blood. The second day of the holiday is filled with the joy of purification.

Lakshmi-puja - the third day of celebrations

Photo of the Diwali holiday in India is presented in our description. In it we will tell how the third day of the festival passes. This is the time when the gods of Ganesha and Lakshmi are worshiped. Ganesha is a deity with extraordinary appearance: on the human body sits the head of an elephant and there are two pairs of hands. God is the embodiment of success, wisdom and prosperity.

Lakshmi is the goddess of fortune. On the day of Lakshmi Puja, lights are lit in the houses that attract wealth, peace and luck. Believers are aware of the life experience that they have experienced.

Last two days

We have already considered the general significance of Diwali's holiday in India, now we will find out what the last two days of this celebration mean. Govardhana-puja, the fourth day of the festival, has a special significance for the population of the northern regions. This is the day of Krishna's memory, which protected the people from Indra. Govardhana is the name of a small hill in Brazd. On the holiday it is decorated with garlands and flowers. On the eve of the night, people are in the temple, and in the morning they prepare a lot of food, which is then offered to Krishna.

Bhaiu-bij - the fifth day is celebrated in the company of sisters and brothers. Sisters pray for the good fortune of the brothers, for which they shower with their complement and treat them with sweets. On this day, Brother and Sister Yama and Yami meet each other. Yama is the symbol of the Sun, and Yami is the Moon.

Celebrate together

The celebration of Diwali in India in 2016 began to celebrate on 30 October. The fact that this is a Hindu event does not mean that you can not take part in it. This year it's already late, but in the next year of 2017, the beginning of Deepavali falls on October 19, and you can also arrange such a celebration for yourself.

Before organizing a holiday, you should study the detailed information about it: read literature, watch films dedicated to the celebration. Then you need to go shopping. In India, as a rule, they buy jewelry and utensils. You can buy gifts for yourself and dear to you people.

Before the first day of the celebration, it is necessary to do a general cleaning in the house and in the office. Wash all the dirty, disassemble the documentation, clean up every room. Entrance to the house must be decorated with a multicolored pattern of rangoli or elements with it. You can hang bells, tapestries, LED flashlights, flower garlands and other ornaments. If you can, you can buy wooden, ready-made rangoles - decorations made of wood, painted with traditional Indian ornaments. After all this, you can light the lights, firecrackers and try to feel the real atmosphere of Indian Diwali.