THE FIVE DAYS OF DEEPAVALI
The History of Deepavali is replete with legends which are moored to the stories of Hindu religious scriptures, mostly the Puranas. Though the central theme of all legends point out to the classic truth of the victory of the good over evil, the mode of their presentation and the characters differ.
Deepavali, being the festival of lights, means lighting the lamp of knowledge within us, to understand and reflect upon the significant purpose of each of the five days of festivities and to bring those thoughts into our day-to-day lives.
THE FIRST DAY OF DEEPAVALI – Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanteras
This day falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Kaartik and two days before Divali. The word ‘Dhan’ means wealth. It is in honor of the great Physician of the Gods and incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Dhanvantari Vaidya, who emerged out of the churning of the milky sea in the Samudra Manthan. Dhanvantari is the father of medicine and Ayurveda or science of medicines is attributed to him. In celebration of this day, Hindu homes are cleaned and renovated and women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils in reverence to this auspicious day.
THE SECOND DAY OF DEEPAVALI – Narak Chaturdashi
This is the second day of the five-day period when Hindus acknowledge the slaying of the demon King Narakasura by Lord Krishna and his consort Satyabhaama. On this day, Hindus also pay homage to the Lord Yama or Yamraaj, the God of Death. Following the early morning bath at dawn, libations are offered thrice to him in the evening. A small deya (the “Jam Deeya”) is lit and placed outside the entrance of the home facing south, where they worship him. This is to prevent premature death. Additionally, the single deya is a reminder of the lamp lit by Bharat to welcome home his brother Lord Rama after fourteen years of exile. Consequently, this day is also called “Little Divali” or chhotee divaali.
THE THIRD DAY OF DEEPAVALI – The Festival of Lights
Divali Puja: This is the highlight of the Divali festival when there is widespread celebrations. In the days preceding this celebration, the home and its surroundings are cleaned, washed and painted and places of worship are decorated with flowers and coloured paper. In the evening Lakshmi Puja is performed to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Devotees break their fast following the Puja, then light the first deyas. On this day people ask each other’s forgiveness for wrongs committed knowingly or unknowingly, relationships are reinforced and gifts and sweets are exchanged.
THE FOURTH DAY OF DIVALI – Goverdhan Puja
Lord Krishna Raising Mount Govar: On the fourth day of Divali the Goverdhan Puja is performed to remember Lord Krishna’s salvation of the people of Vrindaavana. Its significance is retold in the story of the villagers of Mt Goverdhan. In this village many years ago, the people prayed to the God Indra. They believed that Indra sent the rains, which made their crops grow. Lord Krishna came along and persuaded the people to worship the mountain Govardhan, because the mountain and the land around it were fertile. This did not please Indra and one night as the villagers slept, Indra sought revenge. He sent thunder and torrential rain down on the village. Krishna saved the villagers by lifting the top of the mountain with his finger. Underneath it, the people gathered until the storm passed away. This day is also observed as Annakoot meaning ‘Mountain of Food’. In temples, the deities are given milk baths and dressed in shining attires with dazzling ornaments. After the prayers and traditional worship, innumerable varieties of sweets are offered to the deities and then devotees can partake of the Prasad.
THE FIFTH DAY OF DIVALI – Bhaiya Dooj
Bhaiya Dooj or Brother’s Protection Day honours the special relationship between brothers and sisters. Sisters place the tilak, a sacred mark, on their brothers’ forehead as a symbol of protection. They also tie a protective rakshaa around their brother’s wrists, feed them sweets, perform their aartee and pray for their health and happiness. Brothers in turn, give gifts to sisters as a sign of their love and protection.
Source from : National Library and Information System Authority