Bhaiya Dooj, Bhai Dooj, Fifth Day of Diwali

Important of Bhaiya Dooj or Bhai Dooj - Festival of Diwali

Deewali is a festival of joy, splendor, brightness and happiness. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal.

The First Day of Diwali - Dhanteras
The Second Day of Diwali - Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi
The Third Day of Diwali - Lakshmi Puja on Diwali
The Fourth Day of Diwali - Padwa and Govardhan Puja

The Fifth Day of Diwali - Bhaiya Dooj or Bhai Dooj

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a five-day long festival. The fifth or the last day of Diwali is Bhaiya Dooj, popularly known as Bhai Dooj.

The reason why this festival is known as Bhai Dooj is that it falls on the second day after the new moon, which is the day Dooj. And it is a day to pray for the long life of the brother, who is called "bhayya or bhai." According to religious scriptures, Yamaraj, the God of death, went to visit the home of his sister after a long period of separation.

His sister, Yami was very happy to see him and welcomed him by putting an auspicious mark on his forehead for his welfare. Yami and Yamraj then shared a meal. was so pleased with the reception of his sister, he proclaimed that every year the day Dooj, if a sister puts a tilak on the forehead of her brother, then no one can harm her brother. Till date, the tradition is followed. Sisters perform puja for their safety and well-being brothers. Brothers in return give gifts to their sisters as a token of love.

Another version Lord Krishna, after killing Narakasur, the asura king, went to meet his sister Subhadra. Subhadra welcomed him in the traditional way by showing him a light and putting on his forehead a tilak of her fraternal protection.

Another legend says that some Bhagawaan Mahavir found nirvana, his brother Raja Nandivardhan was very telling and missed his brother a lot. Sister Sudarshana then comforted his brother. Since then, women have been revered during this festival.

Diwali is incomplete without Bhai Dooj. It is called "Bhaiyya-Duj" in the Hindi-speaking belt, "Bhav - Bij" in the Marathi-speaking communities, "Bhai Fota 'in Bengal and' Bhai Tika," in Nepal.

The essence of the Bhai Dooj festival is that it is celebrated to strengthen the love between brothers and sisters. It is a day of sharing food, gifts and reach the innermost depths of the heart.

Gudi Padwa | Goverdhan Puja - Diwali Festival

Important of Gudi Padwa and Goverdhan Puja - Diwali Festival

Deewali is a festival of joy, splendor, brightness and happiness. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal.

The First Day of Diwali - Dhanteras
The Second Day of Diwali - Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi
The Third Day of Diwali - Lakshmi Puja on Diwali

The Fourth Day of Diwali - Padwa and Govardhan Puja

Padwa, The day after the Amavasya is "Kartik Shuddh Padwa" and it is only on this day that the King Bali would come out of Pathal Loka and rule Bhulok by the blessing given by Lord Vishnu. Therefore, it is also known as "Bali Padyami." This day also marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day.

Gudi Padwa is symbolic of love and devotion between husband and wife. On this day newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals and given presents. In the olden days brothers went to get their sisters in-laws home for this important day.

In Gujarat, the people is never complete without exchange of Diwali Sweets and wishes of Diwali & New Year.

Govardhan-Puja, is also performed in the North to this day. Govardhan is a small hill in Braj, near Mathura and on this day of Diwali people of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar build cowdung, hillocks, decorate them with flowers and love.

This festival is in commemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Krishna. According to Vishnu Puran, the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honor of Lord Indra and worshiped him after the end of every monsoon season but one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul.

People were afraid that the rain was the result of their neglect of Indra. But Krishna assured them that no harm would be done. He lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger and sheltered men and beasts from the rain. This gave him the epithet Govardhandhari. After this, Indra accepted the supremacy of Krishna.

This day is also observed that the meaning Annakoot mountain of food. Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook 56 or 108 different types of food for the bhog to Krishna.

In the temples of Mathura and especially Nathadwara, the deities are given milkbath dressed in bright attire with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones. After the prayers and traditional worship innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before deities as "Bhog" and then the devotees approach the Mountain of Food and take Prasad in from it.

The Fifth Day of Diwali - Bhai Duj

Goddess Lakshmi Puja - Festival of Diwali

Important of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali | Lakshmi Puja - Festival of Diwali

Deewali is a festival of joy, splendor, brightness and happiness. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal.

The First Day of Diwali - Dhanteras
The Second Day of Diwali - Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi

The Third Day of Diwali - Lakshmi Puja on Diwali

The third day of Diwali festival is the most important and Lakshmi-Puja is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi.

On this very day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale. Therefore, this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. Despite the fact that this day falls on a Amavasya is considered the most auspicious.

The day of Lakshmi-Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya. The strains of joyous sounds of bells and drums float in the temples as man invokes the Goddess Laxmi in a wondrous holy "pouring in" of his heart. All of a sudden that impenetrable darkness is pierced by innumerable rays of light for a moment and the next moment a blaze of light descends to earth from heaven as golden-feet Deep-Lakshmi laying on the ground in all her celestial glory amidst singing of Vedic hymns.

Lakshmi Pooja, or the worship of the goddess of wealth, is the main event on Diwali in North India and the West.

It is extremely important to keep the house spotlessly clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason why the broom is worshiped on this day with offerings of haldi and kumkum. The lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light his way.

Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshiped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta, Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in her three forms - Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money) , Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshiped.

The Fourth Day of Diwali - Padwa and Govardhan Puja
The Fifth Day of Diwali - Bhai Duj

History of Choti Diwali | Narakasura - Diwali Festival

The Second Day of Diwali - Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi | History of Narakasura

Deewali is a festival of joy, splendor, brightness and happiness. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal.

The First Day of Diwali - Dhanteras

The Second Day of Diwali - Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi

The day before Diwali is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi or 'small Diwali. It is Diwali on a smaller scale, with fewer lights and fewer crackers burst.

The morning after Choti Diwali, the women of the house make beautiful rangoli color in the door and the courtyard. Tiny footprints made out of rice paste are a special feature of the rangolis made for Diwali. In Hindu homes, Chhoti Diwali celebrations involve a ritual puja to Goddess Lakshmi and also to Rama in the evening. Songs in honor of the god are sung and aarti is performed.

The story goes that the demon king Narakasur, after defeating Indra had snatched the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the Mother Goddess (the rule Suraloka and a relative of Satyabhama , wife of Lord Krishna) and imprisoned 16,000 daughters of the gods and saints in his harem.

Satyabhama was enraged by Narakasura malevolence towards women, and she appealed to Krishna to give her the golden chance to destroy Narakasura. The legend also says that Narakasura was given a curse that he would be killed by a woman. Krishna granted Satyabhama a boon to fight with Narakasura. With Krishna as the charioteer, Satyabhama entered the battle field.

During the war, Krishna vanishes for some time, predestined by God to act adopted to give Satyabhama to kill the demon. After Narakasura was beheaded, women prisoners were released, and Krishna accepted to marry them. So the previous day Narakachaturdashi, divine intervention of Lord Krishna led to the death of the demon, Narakasura and liberation of the imprisoned damsels as well as recovery of the precious earrings of Aditi. As a symbol of that victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon king's blood.

Krishna returned home in the early morning of the day Narakachaturdashi. Women massaged scented oil to his body and gave him a good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since then the custom of taking bath before sunrise on this day has become a traditional practice specially in Maharashtra. It is interesting to note that Bhudevi mother to kill Narakasura, declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice.

Since then, Deepavali is celebrated by people every year with joyous celebrations with lot of fun and frolic and fireworks.

In South India that victory of the divine over the mundane is celebrated in a very special way. People wake up before sunrise prepare a paste by mixing Kumkum in oil, symbolizing blood and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon king that was broken by Krishna, apply that mixture on their foreheads. Then they have an oil bath with sandalwood paste.

In Maharashtra also, traditional early baths with oil and "Uptan" (paste) of gram flour and fragrant powders are a `must '. All through the ritual of baths, deafening sounds of crackers and fireworks are there for children to enjoy swimming. Then steam vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed rice with curd is served.

The Third Day of Diwali - Lakshmi Puja on Diwali
The Fourth Day of Diwali - Padwa and Govardhan Puja
The Fifth Day of Diwali - Bhai Duj

History of Dhanteras, Dhanwantari Triodasi Festival

History of Dhanteras | Dhanteras is First Day of Diwali Festival | Dhanwantari Triodasi Festival

Dhanteras is the first day of the five day Deepavali Festival. Dhanteras also known as "Dhantrayodashi" or "Dhanwantari Triodasi". Dhanteras is a special festival when the Carrier of Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide wealth, prosperity and well being. Dhanteras is a special day for the business communities due to purchasesing and selling of customery goods of precious metals like gold, silver, brass, etc.

Wish your near and dear ones for the best of luck on wealth and prosperity on that day.

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. Dhanteras is a special day for the business communities.

Dhanteras Legends : A very interesting story about Dhanteras Festival says that once the sixteen year old son of King Hima. was sentenced to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. That day his fourth marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She put all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lamps are countless in all directions. And she went on telling stories and singing songs.

When Yama, the god of death arrived there as a Serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's room. Then he climbed on top of the stack of ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus, the woman saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since that day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in adoration friendly Yam, the god of death.

Dhanteras Preparations : To mark the auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entries are colored with beautiful traditional designs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate its long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. The lamps are burned throughout the night.

Dhanteras Traditions : On Dhanteras Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase items with gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new "Dhan" or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck. "Laxmi Puja," is performed in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs-in praise of Goddess Laxmi are also sung.

Dhanteras Celebrations : Dhanteras is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm. "Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Bhajans ir devotional songs-in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the goddess. exists a particular custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.

In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. South cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshiped on this day.

The Second Day of Diwali - Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi
The Third Day of Diwali - Lakshmi Puja on Diwali
The Fourth Day of Diwali - Padwa and Govardhan Puja
The Fifth Day of Diwali - Bhai Duj

Five Day of Diwali History, History of Deepavali

History of Diwali | Deepavali History | Five Day of Diwali History

Diwali is one of the biggest festival of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third days is celebrated as the "Festival of Lights" the main Diwali festival or Different colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with this festival.

On this day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. The festival of Diwali is never complete without exchange of gifts. People present Diwali gifts to all near and dear ones.

Diwali is an official holiday in India. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed them by lighting rows of clay lamps so it is an occasion in honor of Rama's victory over Ravana; of Truth's victory over Evil.

The Five Day of Diwali History :-

Dhanteras : The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras... More Info

Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi : The second day of Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali... More Info

Lakshmi Puja on Diwali : The third day of Diwali is the actual Diwali. This is the day when worship for Mother Lakshmi is performed... More Info

Gudi Padwa and Goverdhan Puja : The fourth day of Diwali, Goverdhan Pooja is performed... More Info

Bhaidooj / Bhaiya Dooj : The fifth day of the diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. It is a day dedicated to sisters... More Info