Diwali 2023 | Celebrations | Significance | Rituals

What are the five days of Diwali and what are the rituals and significance of this festival?

By Intimate Viewpoint 

Although Diwali is known as a Hindu festival, people from other religions like Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists also celebrate this festival in their own way. Despite all, it represents the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

Diwali is celebrated for 5 days, in which Bada Diwali is the main. People celebrate the day with great pomp.

The Five Days of Diwali

The five days of Diwali are as follows:

* Dhanteras, it is the first day of Diwali. The related rituals start from this day. the day is also known as Dhantrayodashi.

* Choti Diwali, the second day is known as Chhoti Diwali. People light Diyas partly on this day. the day is also known as Naraka Chaturdshi because Lord Krishna got victory over Narakasur on this day. That is why the day is dedicated to Lord Krishna and worshipped.

* Badi Diwali- It is the main day of all five days. This day is actually called Diwali. Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped on this day. Children celebrate the day by burning crackers.

* Govardhan puja- On the fourth day or the day after Diwali, Lord Krishna is being worshipped because people say that he saved the people of Vrindaban from heavy rainfall by lifting Govardhan Parvat (mountain).

* Bhai Duj- It is the fifth and the last day of Diwali. It is also known as Bhai Duj or Bhai Photo in some states of India.

Celebrations 

It is one of the crucial festivals of Hindus. Therefore there is a five-day leave is declared officially all over the country. People do a lot of shopping for different things like worship materials, jewelry, garments, utensils, and crackers as well on account of Diwali. The celebration of Diwali starts a week before Diwali. People have started cleaning their houses these days.

The rituals start from Dhanteras and end on Bhai Dooj, on the 5th day.

People worship Lord Ganesha and Lakshmi in the evening of Diwali day i.e. Bada Diwali. They greet one another and offer sweets and other Pakwans (special dishes), and children burn crackers by wearing new clothes in the presence of their parents and guardians. Apart from all, there is one more thing which makes this day more special, that is making rangoli.

Many people enjoy and show their skills by making rangoli on the outside of their doors, lawns, roads, and verandas. 

Rituals 

Some rituals are done in the five days of this festival which makes the festival more special.

* Along with purchasing different types of items during Dhanteras, one more thing is the ritual of buying that is "broom" as it removes all unwanted things from the house.

* Lighting at least five Diyas each day on the five days of Diwali is also a ritual.

* Just before Sunrise on the day after Diwali, people perform one more ritual which is unique they take a broken or abundant bamboo item beat it with a stick, and move around the house because they believe poverty removes from the house by doing so.