The Significant Of Diwali
This was five days before Diwali and after the Vijaya dasami (victory of Rama ) celebration.
2. THE STORY BEHIND "DIWALI"
2. THE STORY BEHIND "DIWALI"
King Dashrath ruled the rich and prosperous city of Ayodhya. He had three wives and Kaikayi was his favorite. She saved his life in a war at a very crucial time. Dashrath granted her two favors for saving his life.
Dashrath had four sons. Rama, the oldest, was everybody's favorite. He was married to the beautiful and devoted Sita. Just before Ram's coromation, Kaikayi reminded Dashrath of her two favors. She told him to crown Bharat as king and to banish Ram to the jungle for fourteen years. Her wishes were granted.
The old king Dashrath later died of a broken heart. After a few years in the forest, Sita was lured by the demon king Ravana. Rama, with the help of a monkey general, Hanuman, rescued Sita and defeated Ravana. After fourteen years in exile Ram and Sita and returned to Ayodhya.
It is in Their honor that "Diwali" is celebrated. "Diwali" signifies the victory of good over evil.
Today in India for Diwali all the shops are decorated brightly. Many people make "rangoli" in their house or outside. They are filled to capacity in this festive season. Everybody buys new things and decorates their homes. People visit their friends and relatives and give them sweets. On Diwali friends come over for the whole day and relatives come and go. Everyone has a wonderful time celebrating the return of Sita and Rama. Thus Diwali has become a day when all the sad things of the past are forgotten and happy times are remembered.
3.Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating 100's of oil lamp, indifferent parts of the temple, and offering a special Prasad to the Deity. This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the Kingdom of Lord Ramachandra, while Lord Ramachandra was out of His Kingdom due to His 14 years of banishment by the order of His father. His younger step-brother Bharat, took charge f the Kingdom and the day on which Lord Ramachandra took back the charge again from His brother, and seated on the throne, this is observed as Diwali and Deepabali. Deepabali means the same thing - Deepa means candles, and Bali means numerous. When numerous candles are lighted it is called Deepabali. In India, this Deepavali function is celebrated on a special auspicious occassion. This Deepabali function can be distributed to Prasad the next day, which is known as Govardhan Puja and Annakuta Ceremony. In India, in all Vaishnava temples, this ceremony is observed and 100's of people are given prasadam according to the capacity of the temple. - A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami
4.A legendary story, Narakasura, in spite of a divine origin, had demonic tendencies. Narakasura was the son of Bhoomi Devi. He lived in 'Pragjyotishapura' presently situated in Assam. He had terrorized the people of the three worlds with his devilish deeds.
He used to loot people of money, was a big hurdle in performing prayer rituals, and even abducted womenfolk right from their houses. When he did the same in 'Swarga Loka', Lord Indra went to ask for help to Lord Krishna. At that point of time, Lord Krishna was spending leisurely time with his wife Satyabhama. Satyabhama was reluctant to let her husband go and therefore, requested to join the war against Narakasura.
Lord Krishna sat on his divine vehicle, Garuda (a gigantic eagle) and reached the fort of the demon Narakasura. His fort was guarded by another five-headed demon Mura. It is interesting to note that Satyabhama, well accomplished in archery, was a great help in defeating Narakasura. Lord Krishna's heavenly discus cut the head of Mura. With Mura beheaded, Narakasura was left with no option but to come out to face Krishna. Ultimately, Narakasura was beheaded by Lord Krishna.
After his death, Krishna had to take an oil bath in order to get rid of blood splashes from his body. Goddess Bhoomi declared the moment to be celebrated instead to show any remorse. Rather, she pleaded with Lord Krishna to take Narakasura's son under his kind guidance.
The firecrackers burst on the occasion of Diwali signify the fierce weapons used by Lord Krishna at the time of killing Narakasura. Other elements in Diwali like lamps, decorations etc are again indications of happening joyous events. It was the time when peace was re-instated, the advent of 'Rama Rajya' in real sense. The festival is celebrated on the first day out of five days of Diwali celebrations by the name of 'Naraka Chaturdashi. The festival strengthens the fact that it is inevitable to win well over evil.
Dashrath had four sons. Rama, the oldest, was everybody's favorite. He was married to the beautiful and devoted Sita. Just before Ram's coromation, Kaikayi reminded Dashrath of her two favors. She told him to crown Bharat as king and to banish Ram to the jungle for fourteen years. Her wishes were granted.
The old king Dashrath later died of a broken heart. After a few years in the forest, Sita was lured by the demon king Ravana. Rama, with the help of a monkey general, Hanuman, rescued Sita and defeated Ravana. After fourteen years in exile Ram and Sita and returned to Ayodhya.
It is in Their honor that "Diwali" is celebrated. "Diwali" signifies the victory of good over evil.
Today in India for Diwali all the shops are decorated brightly. Many people make "rangoli" in their house or outside. They are filled to capacity in this festive season. Everybody buys new things and decorates their homes. People visit their friends and relatives and give them sweets. On Diwali friends come over for the whole day and relatives come and go. Everyone has a wonderful time celebrating the return of Sita and Rama. Thus Diwali has become a day when all the sad things of the past are forgotten and happy times are remembered.
3.Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating 100's of oil lamp, indifferent parts of the temple, and offering a special Prasad to the Deity. This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the Kingdom of Lord Ramachandra, while Lord Ramachandra was out of His Kingdom due to His 14 years of banishment by the order of His father. His younger step-brother Bharat, took charge f the Kingdom and the day on which Lord Ramachandra took back the charge again from His brother, and seated on the throne, this is observed as Diwali and Deepabali. Deepabali means the same thing - Deepa means candles, and Bali means numerous. When numerous candles are lighted it is called Deepabali. In India, this Deepavali function is celebrated on a special auspicious occassion. This Deepabali function can be distributed to Prasad the next day, which is known as Govardhan Puja and Annakuta Ceremony. In India, in all Vaishnava temples, this ceremony is observed and 100's of people are given prasadam according to the capacity of the temple. - A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami
4.A legendary story, Narakasura, in spite of a divine origin, had demonic tendencies. Narakasura was the son of Bhoomi Devi. He lived in 'Pragjyotishapura' presently situated in Assam. He had terrorized the people of the three worlds with his devilish deeds.
He used to loot people of money, was a big hurdle in performing prayer rituals, and even abducted womenfolk right from their houses. When he did the same in 'Swarga Loka', Lord Indra went to ask for help to Lord Krishna. At that point of time, Lord Krishna was spending leisurely time with his wife Satyabhama. Satyabhama was reluctant to let her husband go and therefore, requested to join the war against Narakasura.
Lord Krishna sat on his divine vehicle, Garuda (a gigantic eagle) and reached the fort of the demon Narakasura. His fort was guarded by another five-headed demon Mura. It is interesting to note that Satyabhama, well accomplished in archery, was a great help in defeating Narakasura. Lord Krishna's heavenly discus cut the head of Mura. With Mura beheaded, Narakasura was left with no option but to come out to face Krishna. Ultimately, Narakasura was beheaded by Lord Krishna.
After his death, Krishna had to take an oil bath in order to get rid of blood splashes from his body. Goddess Bhoomi declared the moment to be celebrated instead to show any remorse. Rather, she pleaded with Lord Krishna to take Narakasura's son under his kind guidance.
The firecrackers burst on the occasion of Diwali signify the fierce weapons used by Lord Krishna at the time of killing Narakasura. Other elements in Diwali like lamps, decorations etc are again indications of happening joyous events. It was the time when peace was re-instated, the advent of 'Rama Rajya' in real sense. The festival is celebrated on the first day out of five days of Diwali celebrations by the name of 'Naraka Chaturdashi. The festival strengthens the fact that it is inevitable to win well over evil.
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