DIWALI
The original form of Diwali is Deepawali,which literally means a row of lights. During Diwali, the feast of lamps, every house is lit with little earthenware vessels containing oil and a lighted wick, and groups of men and women assemble along the river bank setting these little lanterns afloat on tiny rafts and watching with intense interest the frail craft, as they float down streams. The festivity is in honour of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, one of the trinity.
The myth behind the origin of Diwali is that Lord Vishnu in his eighth incarnation as Krishna, destroyed the demon Narakasura, who was causing great unhappiness amongst the people of the world. Diwali or Narakachaturthi celebrates the end of this evil.
Diwali is a festival in reverence to Lord Rama. Illuminating the house with colourful lights means that the mind should be decorated with spiritual accessories such as peach, love, tolerance, generosity, etc. The earthly lamps called Deeyas (Deep) represent the body, which is a combination of the five elements i.e., fire, water, air, space and earth. It is perishable and is only lent to us for a period of a time ash to ash, dust to dust.
A bath in starlight, before sunrise is accepted as a bath in the holy Ganges, so purifying soul and body and auspicious way to begin the day. Such cleaning and focus on newness are symbolic of the casting off of the last year's sins and hope for a fresh new year.
Gold threaded saris are often exchanged, symbolic of the golden Age in the Hindu cycle of time, a time of purity and harmony. Old clothes are cast off as a reminder that the old world, now in the Iron Age, will end and make way for the new.
Deepawali (Diwali) festival is a four day festival, which includes Laxmi Pujan, Narak Chaturdashi, Deepawali and Bhau Beej. Laxmi Pujan is the day, when people buy new utensils. Narak Chaturdashi is known as Chhoti Diwali (minor Diwali) when in every household 5-7 panteo (lamps) are lit on the door and corners.
Diwali falls on the day of Amavaseya, the next day of
which is called Pratipad, when every kind of transaction, receipt or payment and business is postponed. On this day, many people try the their luck of gambling.
Bhau beej falls on the next day, when the brothers visit their sisters, out of love and affection. As the time of Diwali approaches, there are grand preparations by young, old, rich, poor, weak and strong. The buildings, trees, animals, man kinds and statues are all adorned with colourful lights and costumes.
This festive mood fills the air with great excitement, joy and happiness. Twenty days after Sudsehra, every house is illuminated on the day of Diwali, to commemorate the return of Rama after 14 years in exile. Cultural programmes and night long fire works mark the occasion.
Crackers and cacophony, colour and colourful mood, crowd and noise, and celebrations. The dazzle of the occasion ushers in an all pervading and overpowering spirit of happiness and laughter and an inescapable feeling of joining in.
During such time, the business men close their books of old accounts and start new ones. This denotes the giving up of bad habits and cultivating new attitudes. Exchanging cards and gifts means to share the most elevated teachings (Godly teachings/Knowledge) and have good wishes and pure feelings for all-love the neighbour as thyself.
Ganesh Chaturthi known as 'Chovoth'.
The festivities run into several days, but minimum at least for two and half days, when puja of Gouri and Mahadev along with Ganapati, is performed. Goddess Gouri is drawn on paper and Lord Shiva symbolised by a coconut.
On these days married women fast. On the Chovoth day, in the morning or evening, a clay idol of Ganapati is brought home. Before that a matov (a small pandal above the place where the idol is place) is prepared with bunches of betel nut, coconut, bananas and branches of mango-trees being necessary ingredients of it. The puja of Ganapati goes on until mid-day. The puja is performed
with the help of the priest.
On the second day, in the evening or at night, after performing the uttar puja of the image of Ganapati, it is taken in procession and immersed into a water body be it the sea, creek, river, lake or well. Before the idol is removed from its stand for immersion, it is besought for the welfare of the household and its members.
Three days of Chovoth means, days of great rejoicing for children. Girls collect different types and shapes of leaves for Gauri, Mahadev and Ganapati. There is competition in flower-making also. At least five vegetables are cooked on that day. Aartis is a special performance on the occasion of the Ganapati festival.
On Panchami (fifth) day, in the evening, crowds of people move around the village to have a look at Ganapati. Women of the masses, dance and sing the Fugdi before Ganapati. Some houses keep Ganapati for five, seven or nine days and rarely up to Anant Chaturdashi.
WELLNESS & SPIRITUALITY - Main Religious Festivals
RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS in GOA