Deepavali (an array of lights) or Diwali is the national festival of lights celebrated each year either in October or November. The traditional calendar followed all over Asia is based on the lunar cycle.
Diwali the festival that marks the victory of good over evil, and uplifting of spiritual darkness. On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes, share sweets, and snacks. People also thoroughly clean and paint their houses before Diwali. Some North Indian business communities start their financial year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day. Diwali also celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years and after a war where he killed the demon king Ravana. It was a moonless night and so the villagers lit oil lamps to welcome Rama. Diwali is celebrated for 5-7 days. Two days before Diwali it is Naraka Chaturdashi when Narakasura , an evil demon was destroyed by Krishna's wife Styabhama. People in Maharashtra rise before sunrise to take a ritualistic bath believing that if they don't bad luck will follow them throughout the year. During Diwali Goddess of prosperity Lakshmi and the Lord of Wealth, Kuber are also worshipped.
During the fifth day of Diwali ,"Bhaiyadooj" or "Bhaubij" the special bond between brothers and sisiters is celebrated. The day falls on Dooj, the second day after the new moon. This day Yamaraj went to his sister's house who put an auspicious mark on his forehead for his welfare. Thus, on this day sisters perform puja for their brothers safety and well being. Brothers in return give gifts to their sisters as a token of love. Another version is after killing Narakasur, Lord Krishna, went to his sister Subhadra who welcomed him in the traditional way by showing him a light and putting on his forehead a tilak of her sisterly protection. Another myth behind this begins as when Bhagawaan Mahavir found nirvana, his brother Raja Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been revered during this festival. Diwali is a personal, people-oriented festival when enmities are forgotten, families and friends meet, enjoy and establish a word of closeness. Reflecting this essence, Bhai dooj has its own importance in continuing to maintain the love between brothers and sisters for it is the day of food-sharing, gift-giving and reaching out to the inner most depths of the hearts. (Excerpt on "Bhaiyadooj" taken from the Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India)
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