Deepavali Greetings Wishes Diwali 2014 ദീപാവലി दीपावली தீபாவளி FB Cover Pages SMS Wallpaper Quotes

Diwali or Deepavali, popularly known as the "festival of lights", is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November for different reasons. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC.

Diwali, Deepavali is a festival celebrated by all Indian irrelevant of their cast, creed and religion with equal enthusiasm and gaiety. While the rest of the Indians are imbued into the festive mood for the advent the Hindu New Year, the agrarian society of India is jubilating for a different reason.

Diwali also known as Divali, Deepavali and the "festival of lights", is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn every year. The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit fusion word Dīpāvali, formed from dīpa (दीप, "light" or "lamp") and āvalī (आवली, "series, line, row"). Dīpāvali or Deepavalli thus meant a "row" or "series of lights". Its celebration include millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communitiesand countries where it is observed. Diwali (English pronunciation: /dɨˈwɑːliː/)is variously spelled or pronounced in diverse languages of India: 'deepabali' (Oriya: ଦିପାବଲି), 'deepaboli' (Bengali: দীপাবলী), 'deepavali' (Assamese: দীপাৱলী, Kannada: ದೀಪಾವಳಿ, Malayalam: ദീപാവലി, Tamil: தீபாவளி and Telugu: దీపావళి), 'divali' (Gujarati: દિવાળી, Hindi: दिवाली, Marathi: दिवाळी, Punjabi: ਦੀਵਾਲੀ), 'diyari' (Sindhi: दियारी), and 'tihar' (Nepali: तिहार).

The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the
darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartik. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls between mid-October and
mid-November.

Diwali dates back to ancient times in India, as a festival after the summer harvest in the Hindu calendar month of Karthikai. The festival is mentioned in Padma Purana, the Skanda Purana, and other Sanskrit Hindu scriptures; the divas (lamps) are mentioned in Skanda Purana to symbolically represent parts of sun, the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life, who seasonally transitions in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik.

Diwali is one of the happiest of holidays in India, with significant preparations. People clean their homes and decorate them for the festivities. Diwali is one of the biggest shopping seasons in India; people buy new clothes for themselves and their families, gifts,
appliances, kitchen utensils, small to big ticket items such as cars and gold jewelry. People also buy gifts for family members and friends which typically includes sweets, dry fruits and seasonal specialities depending on regional harvest and customs. It is also the period when little kids hear ancient stories, legends, myths and battle between good and evil, light and darkness from their parents and elders. Girls and women go shopping, and create rangoli and other creative patterns on floors, near doors and walkways. Youth and grown ups graduate to helping with lighting and preparing for patakhe (fireworks).

There is significant variation in regional practices and rituals. Depending on the region, prayers are offered before one or more deities, with most common being Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and prosperity. On Diwali night, fireworks light up the neighborhood skies. Later, family members and invited friends celebrate the night over food and sweets.

The religious significance of Diwali varies regionally within India, depending on the school of Hindu philosophy, regional myths, legends, and beliefs. Many see Diwali honouring the return of the lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana from exile, as told in the ancient Hindu epic called the Ramayana. To some, Diwali marks the return of Pandavas after 12 years of Vanvas and one year of agyatavas in the other ancient Hindu epic called the Mahabharata. Many other Hindus believe Diwali is linked to the celebration of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and wife of deity Vishnu. The five day festival of Diwali begins on the day Lakshmi was born from the churning of cosmic ocean of milk during the tug of war between the forces of good and forces of evil; the night of Diwali is the day Lakshmi chose Vishnu as her husband and then married him. Some Hindus offer pujas to additional or alternate deities such as Kali, Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera. Other Hindus believe that Diwali is the day Vishnu came back to Lakshmi and their abode in the Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi receive the benefit of her good mood, and therefore are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being during the year ahead.

In India's eastern region, such as West Bengal, Lakshmi is not worshipped, only deity Kali is worshipped and the festival is called
Kali Puja.In India's Braj and north central regions, deity Krishna is recognized. People mark Mount Govardhan, and celebrate legends about Krishna. In other regions, the feast of Annakoot is celebrated, with 56 or 108 different cuisines prepared, offered to Krishna, then shared and celebrated by the local community.

In West, South and certain Northern parts of India, the festival of Diwali marks the start of a new Hindu year. Along with Goddess Lakshmi, offerings are made to Ganesha who symbolizes ethical beginnings and fearless remover of obstacles; Saraswati who symbolizes music, literature and learning; and Kubera who symbolizes book keeping, treasury and wealth management.

തിന്മയുടെ മേൽ നന്മയുടെ വിജയത്തെ ആഘോഷിക്കുന്ന ഉൽസവമാണ്‌ ദീപാവലി അഥവാ ദിവാലി, दिवाली, தீபாவளி. തുലാമാസത്തിലെ അമാവാസി ദിവസമാണ്‌ ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷിച്ചുവരുന്നത്. ദീപങ്ങളുടെ ഉൽസവമായ ഇത്‌ ഹിന്ദു, ജൈന, സിഖ് മതവിശ്വാസികൾ മൺവിളക്കുകൾ തെളിച്ചും പടക്കം പൊട്ടിച്ചും ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നു. ദീപാവലി ദക്ഷിണേന്ത്യൻ ഭാഷകളിൽ (തമിഴ്, തെലുങ്ക്, കന്നഡ, മലയാളം)സംസ്കൃതത്തിലെ അതേപേരിലും മറ്റുഭാഷകളിൽ ദിവാലി എന്ന പേരിലും ആചരിക്കുന്നു. എല്ലാ ഇന്ത്യൻ സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലും ഇത് ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നു.

Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate and decorate their homes. On Diwali night, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in family puja typically to Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and prosperity. After puja (prayers), fireworks follow, then a family feast including mithai (sweets), and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends.

Diwali also marks a major shopping period in nations where it is celebrated.  On the same night that Hindus celebrate Diwali, Jains celebrate a festival of lights to mark the attainment of moksha by Mahavira, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas. Diwali is an official holiday in India,Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.

 

Diwali is also the end of the cropping season. This is the time of the year when farmers would be getting the results of their sweat and blood. The hard work they do all through the year is supposed to pay results in terms of a healthy crop. Harvesting period generally bear a lot of prosperity for agrarian society. Thus, the farmers pray to  Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth) for the best results.

The name "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali", दीपावली, Dīpāvalī, which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas or dīpas) in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

ദീപം (വിളക്ക്), ആവലി(നിര) എന്നീ പദങ്ങൾ ചേർന്നാണ്‌ ദീപാവലി എന്ന പദം ഉണ്ടായത്, ഇത് ലോപിച്ചാണ്‌ ദീവാളീ എന്നായിത്തീർന്നത്.

ശ്രീരാമൻ 14-വർഷത്തെ വനവാസത്തിനുശേഷം അയോദ്ധ്യയിൽ തിരിച്ചെത്തിയതിനെ പ്രതിനിധീകരിച്ചാണ്‌ ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നത്. ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ നരകാസുരനെ വധിച്ചതിന്റെ ആഘോഷം. ജൈനമതവിശ്വാസപ്രകാരം മഹാവീരൻ നിർവാണം പ്രാപിച്ചതിനെ അനുസ്മരിക്കാനായി.

Diwali is a five day festival in many regions of India, with Diwali night centering on the new moon - the darkest night - at the end of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin and the start of the month of Kartika. In the Common Era calendar, Diwali typically falls towards the end of October, or first half of November each year. The darkest night of autumn lit with diyas, candles and lanterns, makes the festival of lights particularly memorable.

 

Diwali is also a festival of sounds and sights with fireworks and rangoli designs; the festival is a major celebration of flavors with feasts and numerous mithai (sweets, desserts),as well as a festival of emotions where Diwali ritually brings family and friends together every year.  Like major festivals of the world, rituals and preparations for
the Indian festival Diwali begin days or weeks in advance. The festival formally begins two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days after. Each day has the following rituals and significance:

അഞ്ചു ദിവസം നീണ്ടു നിൽക്കുന്ന ആഘോഷങ്ങളുണ് ദീപാവലിക്ക്.

Dhanteras kicks off the five day festival. Starting days before and through Dhanteras, houses and business premises are cleaned, renovated and decorated. Women and children decorate entrances with Rangoli - creative colourful floor designs both inside and in the walkways of their homes or offices. Boys and men get busy with external lighting
arrangements and completing all renovation work in progress. For some, the day celebrates the churning of cosmic ocean of milk between the forces of good and forces of evil; this day marks the birthday of Lakshmi - the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari - the Goddess of Health and Healing. On the night of
Dhanteras, diyas (lamps) are ritually kept burning all through the nights in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.

Dhanteras is also a major shopping day, particularly for gold or silver articles. Merchants, traders and retailers stock up, put articles on sale, and prepare for this day. Lakshmi Puja (sometimes spelled Laxmi puja) is performed in the evening. Some people decorate their shops, work place or items symbolizing their source of sustenance and prosperity.

ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷങ്ങളുടെ തുടക്കം ധൻതേരസ് അഥവാ ധനത്രയോദശി ദിവസം ആണ്. അശ്വിനിമാസത്തിലെ കൃഷ്ണപക്ഷ ത്രയോദശി ദിവസമാണ് ഇത്. അന്നേ ദിവസം വീടും വ്യാപാരസ്ഥാപനങ്ങളും അലങ്കരിക്കുകയും ചെയ്ത് വാതിലിൽ രംഗോലി ഇടുന്നു. ഈ ദിവസം വൈകിട്ടു വിളക്കു വച്ച് ധനലക്ഷ്മി ദേവിയെ വീട്ടിലേക്കു ക്ഷണിക്കുകയും  പൂജിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു.

Narak Chaturdasi is the second day of festivities, and is also called Choti Diwali. Typically, house decoration and colourful floor patterns called rangoli are made on or before Narak Chaturdasi. Special bathing rituals such a fragrant oil bath are held in some regions, followed by minor pujas. Women decorate their hands with henna designs. Families are also busy preparing homemade sweets for main Diwali.

ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷത്തിന്റെ രണ്ടാം ദിവസമാണ് നരക ചതുർദശി. അശ്വിനി മാസത്തിലെ കൃഷ്ണപക്ഷ ചതുർദശി ആണ് ഇത്. നരകാസുരനെ വധിച്ച കാളിയെ ആണ് അന്നേ ദിവസം പൂജിക്കുന്നത്.

The third day is the main festive day. People wear new clothes or their best outfits as the evening approaches. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more additional deities depending on the region of India; typically Ganesha, Saraswati,
and Kubera. Lakshmi symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.

ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷങ്ങളുടെ മൂന്നാം ദിവസമാണ് (അമാവാസി) ലക്ഷ്മി പൂജ. ഉത്തര ഭാരതത്തിലെ ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷങ്ങളിൽ പ്രധാനപ്പെട്ടത് ഇതാണ്. അന്നേ ദിവസം ഗണപതി, ലക്ഷ്മിയുടെ മൂന്നു രൂപങ്ങളായ മഹാലക്ഷ്മി, മഹാസരസ്വതി, മഹാകാളി, കുബേരൻ എന്നിവരെ പൂജിക്കുന്നു.

The day after Diwali, is celebrated as Padwa. This day ritually celebrates the love and mutual devotion between the wife and husband.  The husbands give thoughtful gifts, or elaborate ones to respective spouses. In many regions, newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals. Sometimes brothers go and pick up their
sisters from their in-laws home for this important day. The day is also a  special day for the married couple, in a manner similar to anniversaries elsewhere in the world. The day after Diwali devotees perform Goverdhan puja in honor of Lord Krishna.

കാർത്തിക മാസത്തിലെ ശുക്ലപക്ഷത്തിലെ ഒന്നാം ദിവസമാണു ബലി പ്രതിപദ
ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നത്. വാമനൻ ചവിട്ടി പാതാളത്തിലേക്കു വിട്ട മഹാബലി നാടുകാണാൻ വരുന്ന ദിവസമാണ് ഇതെന്നാണു വിശ്വാസം. ആചാരങ്ങൾ പല സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലും പലതാണെങ്കിലും, തേച്ചു കുളിയും പുതുവസ്ത്രങ്ങൾ ധരിക്കുന്നതും പരസ്പരം സമ്മാനങ്ങൾ കൊടുക്കുന്നതും പതിവാണ്. ഇതു കൂടാതെ രംഗോലിയോ കോലമോ കൊണ്ടു മുറ്റം അലങ്കരിക്കുക, കളിമണ്ണു കൊണ്ടോ ചാണകം കൊണ്ടോ ഏഴു കോട്ടകൾ പണിയുക, ബലിയെയും ഭാര്യ വിന്ധ്യവലിയെയും പൂജിക്കുക, നിരനിരയായി വിളക്കുകൾ കൊളുത്തി വയ്ക്കുക എന്നിവയും പതിവുണ്ട്.

The last day of festival is called Bhai dooj (Brother’s second). It celebrates the sister-brother loving relationship, in a spirit similar to Raksha Bandhan  but with different rituals. The day ritually emphasizes the love and lifelong bond between siblings. It is a day when women and girls get together, perform a puja with prayers for the well
being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of food-sharing, gift-giving and conversations. In historic times, this was a day in autumn when brothers  would travel to meet their sisters, or bring over their sister’s family  to their village homes to celebrate their sister-brother bond with the bounty of seasonal harvests.

ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷങ്ങളുടെ അഞ്ചാം ദിവസമാണ് ഭാതൃദ്വിതീയ, ബഹു-ബീജ് ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നത്. ഇതോടു കൂടി ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷങ്ങൾ  അവസാനിക്കുന്നു. കാർത്തിക മാസത്തിലെ ശുക്ലപക്ഷത്തിലെ രണ്ടാം ദിവസമാണ് ഈ ആഘോഷം. മരണ ദേവനായ യമൻ സഹോദരി  യമിയെ സന്ദർശിച്ചു എന്നാണ് ഐതിഹ്യം. അതിനാൽ ഈ ദിവസത്തിനെ യമ
ദ്വിതീയ എന്നും വിളിക്കുന്നു.സഹോദരീ സഹോദരന്മാർ ചേർന്നു ചെയ്യുന്ന ആചാരങ്ങളാണ് ഈ ദിവസത്തെ ആഘോഷങ്ങളിൽ പ്രധാനം.

Diwali Lakshmi Puja

Deepavali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers give thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come. Traditionally this marked the closing of accounts for businesses dependent on the agrarian cycle, and is the last major celebration before winter. Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and
prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead. ...

There are two legends that associate the worship of Lakshmi on this day. According to the first legend, on this day, Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, during the great churning of the oceans, Samudra manthan. The second legend (more popular in western India) relates to the Vamana avatar of the big three Vishnu, the incarnation he
assumed to kill the demon king Bali. On this day, Vishnu came back to his abode the Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi receive the benefit of her benevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being.

As per spiritual references, on this day "Lakshmi-panchayatan" enters the Universe. Vishnu, Indra, Kubera, Gajendra and Lakshmi are elements of this "panchayatan" (a group of five). The tasks of these elements are:

Lakshmi: Divine Energy (Shakti) which provides energy to all the above activities.

Vishnu: Happiness (happiness and satisfaction)

Kubera: Wealth (generosity; one who shares wealth)

Indra: Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth)

Gajendra: Carries the wealth

Diwali Deepavali Greetings 2014 Indian Celebration Diwali Pictures Diwali Wallpaper

In Kerala Diwali or popularly known locally as Deepavali, falls on the preceding day of the New Moon in the Malayalam month Thulam (October–November). The celebrations are based on the legend of Narakasura Vadha – where Sri Krishna destroyed the demon and the day Narakasura died is celebrated as Deepavali. It commemorates the triumph of good over evil. The story of King Bali is also associated with Diwali by Hindus in Kerala. Unlike other parts of India, and other South Indian states, Deepavali is a low profile festival in Kerala and celebrated mostly by Hindus.

Diwali is celebrated around the world, particularly in countries with significant populations of Hindu, Jain and Sikh origin. These include Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom,United Arab Emirates, and the United States. With more
understanding of Indian culture and global migration of people of Indian origin, the number of countries where Diwali/Deepavali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it is becoming part of the general local culture. In most of these countries Diwali is celebrated
on the same lines as described in this article with some minor variations. Some important variations are worth mentioning.

On this festive festival of peace occasion, Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities also mark charitable causes, kindness, and for peace. For example, at the international border, every year on Diwali, Indian forces approach Pakistani forces and offer traditional Indian sweets on the occasion of Diwali. The Pakistani soldiers anticipating the gesture, return the goodwill with an assortment of Pakistani sweets.

Diwali greetings and prayers

People wish each other Happy Diwali in different Languages:

"Shubha Deepawali" शुभ दीपावली: Greeting in Nepali, Hindi and Sanskrit.
"Shubh Diwali" / Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein (दिवाली की शुभकामनाएं): Greeting in Hindi
Diwali Mubarak (દીવાળી મુબારક): Greeting in Gujarati
Shubh Diwali / Diwalichya hardik Shubhechha (शुभ दिवाली / दिवाळीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा ): Greeting in Marathi
Deepavali Nalvazhthukal (தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துகள்) :Greeting in Tamil
Deepavali Shubhakankshalu (దీపావళి శుభాకా౦క్షలు) :Greeting in Telugu
Deepavali Aashamsagal ( ദീപാവലി ആശംസകള് ): Greeting in Malayalam.
Deepavali Habbada Shubhashayagalu (ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು): Greeting in Kannada
Tuhanu diwali diyan boht boht vadhaiyan (ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਦਿਵਾਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਹੋਣ ): Greeting in Punjabi
Subho Deepabalir Preeti O Subechsha (শুভ দীপাবলীর প্রীতি ও শুভেচ্ছা) :Greeting in Bengali
Deepavalira Anek Shubhechha (ଦୀପାବଳିର ଅନେକ ଶୁଭେଛା) :Greeting in Oriya
"Happy Diwali!" :Greeting in English

Diwali Prayers

The prayers vary widely by region of India. An example vedic prayer from Brhadaranyaka

Upanishad celebrating lights is:

Asato ma sat gamaya | (असतो मा सद्गमय ।)

Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya | (तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।)

Mrityu ma amrutam gamaya | (मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।)

Om shanti shanti shantihi || (ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥)


Diwali Prayers Translation in English:

From untruth lead us to Truth.

From darkness lead us to Light.

From death lead us to Immortality.

Om Peace, Peace, Peace.