5 Days Of Diwali And Its Significance Explained
Diwali is the festival of lights. It is one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. It is the most popular festival of Hinduism. Diwali festival symbolizes the “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”.
Diwali festival is of 5 days. Each day of Diwali has its significance and roots connected with history. People celebrate Diwali in various ways among different regions of India. It is widely associated with the Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi.
Diwali festival is also associated with the celebration of the day when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. He arrived with his wife Mata Sita and brother Lakshmana. They defeated the king of demons Ravana and completed their 14 years of exile.
Diwali festival is also known as Deepavali. People clean, renovate, and decorate their homes, offices, or workplaces. They decorate it with Diyas and Rangolis during or before Diwali. Diwali festival comes 20 days after Dussehra (or Vijayadashami).
This article will explain all five days of the Diwali festival. You will also get to know the significance of each day of Diwali and its connections with history. Stay till the end for comprehensive knowledge about each day of the Diwali festival. Without any delay, let us get started.
Diwali Day 1: DHANTERAS
Dhanteras is the first day of the Diwali festival. Word ‘Dhanteras’ originated from the Sanskrit terms ‘Dhan’ and ‘Teras’. Dhan means wealth; Teras is the 13th day of the Krishna Paksha of the Hindu Calendar month of Kartik.
We also worship Lord Kubera and Goddess Laxmi or the God and Goddess of Wealth on this occasion. As per the scriptures, Goddess Lakshmi came out from the ocean during the process of Amrit-Manthan. She was holding a pot of gold, which refers to the showering of wealth on this day.
People believed this day of Diwali as an auspicious day to buy gold, silver, clothes, gadgets, etc.
Diwali Day 2: NARAKA CHATURDASI
On this day, Lord Krishna, along with his wife Satyabhama, fought the demon Narakasura. They defeated and killed him. Naraka Chaturdashi is the 14th day of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month.
That day, people wake up early in the morning and do bathing with ritualistic scrubs. Those ritualistic scrubs are ubatan, made of herbs. That oil-scrub bath does wonders to the skin in the dry winter season.
This day of Diwali festival is also known as Choti Diwali or Minor Diwali.
Diwali Day 3: LAKSHMI PUJA
Lakshmi Puja is the prime day of the Diwali festival. It is the third day of Diwali. Goddess of Wealth, Goddess Lakshmi falls on Amavasya (new moon day) of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Kartik of the Hindu lunar calendar.
On this day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and do rituals along with all the family members. To manifest Goddess Lakshmi’s arrival, small Rangolis of dainty feet entered into the house-made at the entrance.
This day of Diwali is also celebrated as the return of Lord Rama at Ayodhya. He returned after defeating the king of demons, Ravana. The people of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Mata Sita. They decorated the streets and houses with earthen lamps with oil.
We also pray to Lord Ganesh before the beginning of this auspicious act as Vighneshvara. That is why he has the prime importance of Lakshmi Puja too.
Diwali Day 4: GOVARDHAN PUJA
Govardhan Puja is the fourth day of Diwali. That is also a prime day of the Diwali festival. This day is celebrated in honor of the defeat of Lord Indra to Lord Krishna, to destroy the ego of Lord Indra.
Villagers were worshipping mountain Govardhan. Seeing them, Lord Indra decided to punish those innocents for appeasing him. He heavily rained the clouds and let people suffer the consequences. Then, lord Krishna lifted the mighty Govardhan mountain. He held it over the heads of the people assembled there.
Since then, Govardhan Puja has become a significant part of the Diwali festival. On this day of Diwali, miniature clay and cow-dung figures are made to depict the event.
Diwali Day 5: BHAI DOOJ
Bhai Dooj is the final day of the Diwali festival. On this day of Diwali, brothers and sisters gather together. Sisters do a tika ceremony and follow some essential rituals. Bhai means brother; while Dooj means the second day. It is the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the lunar calendar.
Sisters prepare a platter for aarti containing Diya, sweetmeats, gold ring, and Kumkum tilak. With that, they follow the rituals for the long life of their brothers. While, brothers surprise their sisters with some gifts, sweets and lots of love.
That’s all about the 5 Days of Diwali festival and its significance you must know all over. Diwali is not only the festival celebrated by Hindus. People from every religion of India and some neighboring countries celebrate this festival. Many people from European and American countries also celebrate Diwali.
Diwali brings lots of joy and happiness among individuals, family, friends, and colleagues. This festival also works as stress relief. It gives a quality time which you can spend with your closest and loved one.
Cleaning homes, making Rangolis, lighting Diyas, and burning crackers with loved ones is the moment everyone remembers. Those five days of the Diwali festival give uncountable memories which are not possible to describe in words.
Diwali festival also connects us spiritually and brings peace to our life. That’s the time when people follow all the rituals and celebrate this festival together. This festival also helps many unprivileged people to earn some revenues by selling their products and services. After all, they also deserve to celebrate this precious festival.
That’s all about the Diwali festival, its significance, history, and its necessity. I hope you enjoyed reading this article. If yes, then kindly check the other articles written by me as well.
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