Deepawali Rituals and Customs

There are several rituals and customs observed during Diwali. Some of them are

Tradition of Playing Cards:

It is a very old tradition to play cards on the day of Diwali. It is not only for fun and frolic but has religious significance as well.

Especially in Hindus, it is believed that gambling with money would impress goddess of wealth (Goddess Lakshmi) and bring prosperity for the coming year.

It has a mythological connection as well. It is believed that on this day Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Shiva. At the end of the game she had announced that whoever will play with money on this day, will prosper throughout the year. The tradition is followed till date, with it being slowly recognized as a means of get-together. Click here to learn about the significance of cards on Diwali

Tradition of Crackers:

Diwali is predominated by colorful display of lights, sweets, lots of shopping, happiness and bursting of crackers. The pleasant weather of the season also supports the five days of festivities.

Firecrackers have a special significance during Diwali celebrations. Firecrackers not only remove the darkness, but also mark the celebration of the victory of good over evil .They re burst as an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. Firecrackers are also believed to ward off evil souls away. Another more scientific reason for lighting firecrackers is that the fumes produced by them kill insects and mosquitoes found after the rainy season.
 
In ancient India kings and royal families used this as a source for entertainment, but gradually fireworks became common among masses and have remained the best way to express human happiness.

Since time immemorial bursting firecrackers is associated with the festivities of Diwali. Click here to know more about the best firecrackers for Diwali

Tradition of Rangoli:

Rangoli is an art form which includes drawing of attractive patterns on the floor, with different colors and decorative ideas.Rangoli has long been a part of Diwali celebrations.

On and before Diwali, people especially ladies make beautiful designs of Rangoli to welcome goddess Lakshmi. According to the history of Rangoli, the tradition started in Maharashtra, which later spread to other parts of the country.

The legend behind rangoli is that a particular kingdom was in deep sorrow due to the death of the son of a priest. Entire kingdom prayed to Lord Brahma, who pleased by the prayers asked the king to draw a figure on the ground, in which he would fill life. Click here to read more about rangoli and the types and designs of rangoli.

Tradition of Gifts:

Exchange of Gifts is an integral part of all Indian festivals. On the day of Diwali, people generally worship goddess Lakshmi, light their houses with lamps and exchange gifts with their friends and relatives.

Markets are full of buyers and all shopkeepers; specially those of sweet shops offer their best varieties and see maximum sales. To dress up in new clothes and visit one’s relatives is a major attraction to everybody on Diwali. Click here to know more about Diwali Gifting ideas. Click here to read more about gifting ideas for Diwali

Tradition of Lights:

Diwali also known as “Festival of Lights” justifies its name as wherever one goes on that day, there is an illumination of lights and the atmosphere is filled with brightness. Traditionally it was only the oil lamps that were used, but these days many types of candles and lamps are available for this purpose.

According to the Hindu Mythology, on this day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya and the entire kingdom was lighted up by oil lamps. This tradition has been one of the most important ingredients of Diwali celebrations.

All festivals of India have a divine significance. Diwali, teaches a sacred inner meaning to humanity. It is the light that shows us the way for dispelling the darkness. It is because of the light that man is able to perform his daily duties.

The flame of a lamp has two significant qualities. One is to banish darkness; the other is a continuous upward movement. Even if a lamp is kept in a pit, the flame is directed upwards. The upward movement of the flame denotes the path to wisdom and the path to divinity.

According to the scriptures when Narakasura was killed all those who suffered under him celebrated the occasion by lighting lamps. The flame of one lamp can light the whole array of lamps, conveying the message of spreading joy. Deepavali is celebrated in order to teach this truth to the world. Click here to know about how you can decorate and light up your home this Diwali

Tradition of Diwali Gharonda:

On the eve of Diwali children make small mud houses known as Gharonda. Gharonda is a toy house made with bricks and plastered with mud and later painted with limestone .They are finally decorated with colours, flowers, bells, artwork, colourful paper frills and lighted. Idols of goddess Lakshmi and lord
Ganesha are kept inside the Mud house . Rangoli is also created in front of the house and puja is performed on the day of Diwali. In some states Gharonda making competitions are also organised so that our new generation stays in touch with this age old ritual.

Like every Diwali ritual the custom of Gharonda too has a legend behind it. Diwali, is celebrated to commemorate the homecoming of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and brother Laxmana after spending  fourteen years in exile. The citizens of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama by decorating  the streets with lamps, flowers  and  mud houses (gharonda) meant to express their love and regard for their lord.

Tradition of Diwali Cleaning:

Diwali festival  is also a time for cleaning the household and its premises. Houses are whitewashed and painted. Every business establishment and shop owner arranges for the worship of goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha in a clean environment amidst display of lights and fireworks. Shops are re-furnished and re-stacked. On this day  every nook and corner of the house is taken care of, every neglected area of the dwelling like backside of bookshelves, space under beds, garage, garden etc. are thoroughly cleaned.

The general endeavor is to remove the dampness and staleness gathered over the period of long rainy season. The final touches are added on the day of Narak Chaudas, a day prior to Diwali. It is also believed that the goddess blesses those with prosperity, who keep their houses squeaky clean on this day. The goddess is supposed to visit the Hindu homes at midnight. The walls are decorated in various manners. Buntings and festoons are hung at places. At night the burning of mustard oil in clay lamps purifies the atmosphere and kills insects that breed during the rainy season.

The cleaning of house hold is not complete without purging the dirt from within us. Hence the ritual of cleaning should also be implied as eradication of evil tendencies within us. It should not end after cleaning the dwelling or wearing clean clothes. One should try and start afresh in their life by following the path of honesty and sincerity in daily chores.

Custom of New Clothes on Diwali:

Diwali is important to one and all, hence every family tries to celebrate the festival to the best of their ability and make it as special as possible. It is also the time when rich and poor buy new clothes alike. Everyone loves to wear a glittering and shining attire that might be considered extravagant under ordinary circumstances.

The aim is to outshine others in terms of clothes and jewellery. Wearing new clothes is also a part of tradition; therefore it is a boon for everyone. This tradition is to thank goddess Lakshmi , the deity of light and prosperity for blessing the mortals with peace and prosperity. Hence, everyone wears new, brightly colored outfits on Diwali.
 
First ritual bath is done an evening before Diwali begins. It marks the beginning of the festival. It is a necessary ritual before wearing new clothes. The first day of the Diwali celebration, known as Dhanteras,is spent shopping for supplies, such as fireworks, earthen lamps, sweets and clothing as a part of the tradition.

On Diwali woman wear heavy Indian attire which is mostly designer wear these days. It is coupled with plenty of jewellery that entirely depends on personal preference and trend of the season. Imitation jewellery is another good option for the day. Henna application is also done during the festive time, many ladies apply henna on their hands. Children can be dressed in colorful dresses and if they are planning to burst firecrackers then they should be dressed in cotton clothes. Also, the clothes should not be too long or loose as they might catch fire. Similar caution applies for the adults as well. Click here to know more about shopping on Diwali.

दिवाली के दिन क्या क्या किया जाता है हिंदी में पढ़ें, यहां क्लिक करें