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History of Diwali_--------

Diwali most popularly known as the festival of lights is one of the grand festivals of India, which is in other words, can be described as the land of innumerable festivals. Diwali is celebrated since ancient times. In words, it is hard to describe the actual reason or the history of Diwali. It is believed that there are many possible reasons behind the origin of Diwali. It is also true that different types of people believe in different types of historical reasons. This page consists of some of the more popular historical reasons of Diwali origin. So, just check them out....
Diwali History---
The most popular history behind the celebrations of Diwali is that this day marks the return of Lord Shri Rama Chandra after his exile and his defeat over Ravana.

On this day, Lord Shri Rama, his wife Sita and his loyal brother Laxman returned to Ayodhya after 14 long years of exile. He returned after defeating demon king Ravana who abducted Sita. In his battle against Ravana,Lord Hanuman and the military of monkeys helped him.
.. In Ayodhya, people lit lamps and diyas (earthen lamps) and celebrated the homecoming of Lord Shri Rama. The people also lit firecrackers as an expression of their happiness and joy. They welcomed Lord Shri Rama with lit lamps. And since then the tradition continued and every year the festival of Diwali is celebrated by lighting millions of lamps on this auspicious day as a gesture of respect. Prayers are offered in temples.
This story of Ramayana, the Hindu epic is indeed the most popular story behind the celebrations of Diwali. Lord Rama who was the prince of Ayodhya was ordered by the king of Ayodhya and his father King Dasharatha to go away and return only after completing 14 long years in the forest.

Lord Rama followed his orders and left with his wife Sita and brother. During that period Demon king Ravana abducted Sita and took her to his kingdom of Lanka. Lord Rama fought against the demon king and ultimately killed him. In this way, Lord Rama rescued Sita and returned to Ayodhya. People of Ayodhya decorated Ayodhya with millions of lamps and celebrated this significant day.
Ever since then, the homecoming of Lord Shri Rama was celebrated and the tradition of lighting lamps, bursting firecrackers is observed as Diwali. This festival is also called as Dipawali.
Another not-so-well-known story is believed to have started the Diwali celebrations. Lord Krishna had a battle with demon Narakasura and defeated him and emerged as the winner. People celebrated his victory lamps.

Diwali is the time for everyone to rejoice looking forward to a bright future. Especially of the Businessmen,
On this day they do puja of Account books and start writing their new accounts. This is called as CHOPDA PUJAN meaning puja of account books.
-Each house entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of_Rangoli_----designs to welcome Lakshmi-- The Goddess of wealth N prosperity-
The Preparations of diwali begins well in advance..People start decorating thers homes, preparing sweets, light up their homes with colorful lights-buy new clothes & Jewelry _This new moon night or Amavasya is thus turned into a bright n colorful night..The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health-wealth, knowledge, peace, valourand fame..Fireworks are broughtout and the children join in the fun and frolic with all the bang -bang. It is nice to distribute crackers so that there is universal enjoyment.

Hundreds of fire crackers can be seen glowing and then bursting as though it was a battle of glows and sparks in the skies.
-----Markets are gaily decorated and lit up everybody adorned with new and bright clothes, especially ladies decorated with the best of ornaments, captures the social mood at its happiest.----It is a very jolly time for visiting, exchanging gifts, decorating homes, feasting, and of course attiring in new clothes.. On Diwali day, everywhere in India, at dusk when darkness unfolds itself, you can see a spectacular illumination of tiny flickering lamps adorning in rows - at homes, buildings and streets__-
--And all this illumination and fireworks, joy and festivity, is to signify the victory of divine forces over those of wickedness...

Five Days of Diwali Festival
--The First day of Diwali-Dhanteras--The First day is called Dhanteras or Dhantryaodashi, which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin
-The Second day of Diwali-Narak Cha asi_
It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear....THE 3,RD DAY-DIWALI..--On the dark new moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. Lakshmi Puja is performed on this day.

Diwali is the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business and businessmen perform Chopda Pujan on this day on the new books of accounts. Diwali is the festival when the new business year begins it is said that Diwali is the Time to shop or start new ventures-----
The fourth day- New Year day or Bestavarsh.--
The Fourth day is called Padwa or VarshaPratipada that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day__The day after the Lakshmi Puja, most families celebrate the new year by dressing in new clothes,wearing jewellery.N.visiting family members and business colleagues to give them sweets, dry fruits and gifts...On this day, Goverdhan Pooja is performed. As per Vishnu-Puran the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honour of Lord Indra and worshipped him after the end of every monsoon season. But one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. But Krishna saved his Gokul by lifting up the Govardhan Mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella__This day is also observed as Annakoot and prayers are offered in the temples. In temples especially in Mathura and Nathadwara, the deities are given milkbath, dressed in shining attires with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones....The Fifth day of Diwali-Bhai Dhooj---
The second day of the bright forthnight (Shukla Paksh) of Kartik is called Bhaiya-Duj. It comes once a year - after Diwali.

The name itself denotes the day of the festival i.e.Diwali falls on the absolutely dark night of Amdvasya (new moon), Dooj comes two days after Diwali.
Many years ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited His sister Yamuna(Yami) and she put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, they ate talked and enjoyed together and exchanged special gifts as a token of their love for each other and Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister on this day will never be thrown.

Since then it became imperative for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaiyaduj.On Bhai Dooj, the teeka is applied on the brother's forehead. It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha Bandhan (brothers day). Well this is sisters day.

The sister usually goes in the morning and does the puja in the mother's house, before the brothers leave for their places of study or work.

Some Beliefs about Diwali---

Why do people clean and decorate their homes for Diwali?
--Diwali is considered to be the festival of the Goddess wealth and prosperity Laxmi - Goddess Laxmi visits all homes to bless the people and so to welcome the goddess homes R cleaned & decorated.
---Why do people Light up their homes with clay oil lamps?---People light up their homes to welcome Goddess Laxmi. Clay lamps also indicates the victory of Light over Darkness, Good over Evil, as well as the victory of Truth over Falsehood and that man can succeed only through his virtues. ........
Why do people play cards on Diwali--It is believed that goddess Parvati played dice with her husband, Lord Shiv on this day and she decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuring year.This tradition of playing cards- flash and rummy with stakes on this particular day continues even to day........

DIWALI SWEET-
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Diwali Foods---Diwali Recipes
----It is a common tradition in India that just B4 the festival of Diwali, the female members of the family start preparing special dishes and foods entirely meant for Diwali with special Diwali Recipes.

This festival of lights, also known as Dipawali has a common custom of exchanging sweets along with the gifts to their loved ones. The homemade sweets and snacks are more appreciated by all. So have a look at some of the mouth-watering and traditional Diwali special delicacies that are listed below along with the Diwali Recipe notes--------
Besan ki Barfi--------Ingredients Besan-Sugar-Ghee, Water-Pistachios and Almonds for garnishing.....
Directions Firstly, in a pan heat ghee and fry the besan in it for near about 30 minutes. Stop frying it when the color of the besan becomes slight pink and it separates from ghee. Prepare syrup of sugar and water and then add it to the besan. Mix it properly and pour it in a tray that is thoroughly greased. Let it cool, and then cut the mixture into cubical pieces. Serve it after garnishing it with almonds N pistachios
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KHEER----Ingredients-Long grain rice (properly washed and drained), milk, sugar, almonds, cardamom seeds, saffron, pistachio nuts, raisins..
Directions- firstly put all the main ingredients that are milk, rice and sugar in a pan and boil them. Boil them gently until the rice becomes soft and starts to break up. Add the almonds, raisins, cardamom seeds, saffron, and the pistachio nuts to the mixture and let it simmer for some more minutes. Add the sugar at the end and let it dissolve completely Remove it from the heat and serve it hot or cold as per your wish. It tastes awesome in both ways........
BADAM FIRNI------
Ingredients Almonds,Milk, sugar,Rice flour, saffron, cardamom powder.....
Directions- Firstly, make a fine paste by grinding the almonds with milk. Then mix the almond paste with rice flour. In a pan boil milk, add sugar to it and stir properly. Separately dissolve the saffron in a little amount of milk. After that add the mixture of the almond paste and the rice flour into the boiling milk that also comprises saffron. Stir the mixture continuously until the entire mixture thickens. Remove it from fire and add the cardamom powder and let it cool in the room temperature and then refrigerate it. Garnish it with pistachios and almonds and your delicious Badam Phirni is ready to be served.......

GUJIYA-------------
--Ingredients-Flour- Raisins-Khoya-Almonds-Edible oil-water and sugar....
DIRECTION--Firstly make a binding consistency by mixing the flour with oil and some water. After making the dough set it aside by covering it with a damp cloth, then in separate pan heat some oil and fry the khoya until its color changes to light brown, then add sugar and mix it thoroughly. Add raisins and almonds to the mixture. After that make small sized chapattis out of the dough and fill it with the khoya mixture and seal the edges and deep fry them. Serve them hot or if you wish you can also store them and can have it anytime.

GAJAR HALWA--
------Ingredients--Carrots, milk, water, cardamom seeds, almonds, pistachios, sugar, ghee, raisins...
DIRECTION--Wash and properly grate the carrots. Then boil some water and add the grated carrots in it. Cook for near about 7 or 8 minutes. Then add milk and continue cooking on a low flame and stir the mixture in between. Add sugar, and milk and cook it until the sugar gets dissolved in the milk. Add ghee and the raisins and properly crushed cardamom seeds. Mix the whole mixture well. Remove it from the heat and serve it hot after garnishing with pistachios and almonds.

With all these mouth-watering recipes, you will surely have a delightful Diwali.

Diwali rangoli-----------------
During Diwali rangoli is designed at the doorstep to welcome Goddess Laxmi and guests. Rangoli, across India is popular with different names like Alpana (in Bengal) and kolam (in South India). Rangoli word can be broken into two words rang which mans color and aavalli string of color__ It is a Sanskrit word which means row of colors. Diwali rangoli is a creative expression of art through the use of color. Some of the popular Diwali motifs are Lord Ran, Sita and Laxman, Goddess Laxmi, lotus, floral patters, and celestial patterns such as the sun, the moon and the stars etc...The main reason behind the Diwali rangoli by the families is to welcome Goddess Laxmi, deity of wealth and fortune into the household and ward off the evil spirits. To make beautiful and intricate Rangoli patterns, a variety ingredient are used like barks of trees, leaves and flowers; rice, synthetic colors, cereals, pulses, and colored powder such as rice, brick, chilly, turmeric etc.

DIWALI-CRACKERS------
-For many of us, Diwali is a special occasion, not only because its an auspicious festival but also because, we can burst crackers and have a blast. Diwali is the festival of light and brilliant display of Diwali crackers and fireworks add to its sheen and gory. People of the age groups from young to old, all have fascination for crackers.

Anar, chakra, phuljhari are some of various kinds of diwali cracker that are busted on Diwali. hen are high flying rockets, mild flower pots, electric crackers and the explosive and almost ear deafening bombs.

Crackers and fireworks add to the sparkling festivity and lights up the sky, in the background of the constellation of stars at night. Their sparkle is a visual delight.

Diwali is an important Hindu festival, symbolizing the triumph of goodness over evil. The entire nation celebrates Diwali with pomp and pageantry. Adding to the festivities, Diwali firecrackers spark the wave of joy and fill happiness in very heart...CRACKERS--------------------------

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Diwali is the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi visit everyone during Diwali and brings peace and prosperity to all.

On the night of diwali Lakshmi-Pujan is performed in the evenings. A traditional Puja is performed after sunset in all the homes.

Five pieces of ghee diyas (lamps) are lit in front of the deities, Naivedya of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess and devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung.

After the Puja people light diyas (lamps) in their homes to usher in light, and clear the darkness from the world.

In villages cattle's are adorned and worshipped by farmers as they form the main source of their income.

In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshipped on this day .

---------Step By Step Diwali Pujan---
-First clean the Puja room and then Bathe each Deity ( Lakshmi & Ganesh) first with water, then with panchamitra/or rose water, followed by water once more.

Now put Deepak (Lamp) in front of the Deities - As the tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits

Make a Panchamitra with 5 ingredients of milk, curd, ghee(clarified b*tter), sugar & Honey.
Place Few mithais, snacks & fruits as a prashad.

Make offerings of flowers, abir (red colour), sindoor (vermillion), haldi (turmeric). and Light the Agarbatti (incense sticks) and lamps filled with Ghee .
Now make offerings of fruit, sweet meat ( mithai), Salty snacks ( Mathis, Ghathia, Namakpare) and offer dakshina (token money), which could be given to the poor .
In the end offer paan (betel leaves), cloves. Now pray to the dieties to seek their blessings.
Ganesh Puja-Ganeshji are a must for Diwali pujan. (Ganeshji is to be worshipped in all pujas before any other god or goddess.) (Aarti)
Laxmi Puja : Place Lotus and other flowers at her feet as an offering. A silver coin is placed in front of the Goddess during the puja. Now perform Arti with flowers in hand.(Aarti)
After the puja have the Prashad and go out to burst crackers.

Aarti of OM JAI JAGDISH HARE

DIWALI WALLPAPER----

HAPPY DIWALI TO MEMBERS -MY FRIENDS-BROTHERS-SISTERS--AND ALL MY WELL WISHER I WISH U ALL HAPPY DHAN TERAS AND HAPPY DIWALI