The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali and means a row of lights. For this reason, the Diwali festival is sometimes referred to as the Festival of Lights.
It is said that during Diwali all bad thoughts and attachment to worldly desires should be removed from within us and replaced with good thoughts. Many people light lamps during this time. These are symbols of truth and knowledge.
The Diwali festival lasts for five days. Each day has a significance that is derived from various different episodes of Hindu legends. The stories are all about ridding the world of evil and replacing it with good.
Dhan Teras (Sunday 26th October 2008)
The first day is called Dhan Teras. Dhan means wealth. In the past, the number of cattle that was owned determined one's wealth; therefore, the cow was offered worship on this day. Over the centuries, this has evolved to offering poojan to Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. In this context, Laxmi is personified through currency and a ceremony involving money is traditionally performed on this day.
Kali Chaudas (Monday 27th October 2008)
The next day is called Kali Chaudas. Kali is the goddess of strength. Historically people offered poojan to Hanuman. It is said that this removes all fear of evil spirits. By removing evil, we become internally enlightened. This internal evil refers to the evil spirits that reside within us, lust, anger, greed, avarice, etc. Once these have been banished from within us, we can offer true devotion unto the Lord.
Diwali, Amavaasya - Shree Sadguru Din (Tuesday 28th October 2008)
This day is the final day of the Hindu year, Aso vad (15) amass. Traditionally the New Year's accounts are blessed on this day. Fireworks are exploded this is a symbol of the burning of evil. Divas are lit in homes and temples. Rangoli, patterns are created using powdered paint at the entrance of homes as a welcoming symbol. The sky during this night is moonless, therefore the lighting of the divas removes this darkness; yet another symbol of good over evil. The sentiment for a disciple of the Lord when lighting a divo is to pray for forgiveness of past mistakes and for spiritual strength and wisdom for the coming year so that he can please the Lord more and more.
Nidar Sidhantvadi Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharan Swamibapa relinquished His human darshan on this day in Samvat 1999. Therefore, disciples of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan also commemorate Shree Sadguru Din on this day.
New Year Day - Nootan Varsh -
(Wednesday 29th October 2008)
Ankut celebrations are held in the Mandirs.
Today is the 1st day of the New Year, Kartik sud 1.
The new crop that had been planted after the monsoon season would have grown during the final month of the year, 'Aso', and would now be ready. This crop is harvested and first offered to the Lord on the first day of the year. This is the origin of ankutotsav, the offering of a many dishes to the Lord. 'An' literally means food (grain) and 'kut' translates as mountain. Hence a vast mountain of different foods is placed before the Lord.
This auspicious day is filled with happiness and joy. It is said that he who remains joyous on this first day will also remain so for the rest of the year. But he, who wastes it by being miserable, will encounter the same feelings for the forthcoming 12 months. For a disciple of the Lord, the sentiments are slightly different. They would spend the day visiting the Mandir, take part in the singing of kirtans, and performing devotional practices to the Lord. That way, the rest of the year would also be filled with the same divinity.
Bhai Beej (Thursday 30th October 2008)
The final day of the Diwali festival, Bhai beej falls on the second day of the year. Traditionally, a sister would serve her brother with food on this day. Disciples of the Lord come together in the Temple and partake in the prasad of the Lord, as all of the Lord's children are brothers and sisters.
