~ What is Diwali (Festival Of Lights)…

Indians all over the world are gearing up for biggest festival of the year, The DIWALI (Festival of Lights)…..You All Are Invited 🙂 🙂 ..Hindu / Indian culture believes – “Life is a celebration” , so all festivals  generally lasts more than one day! In accord with this Grand style, Diwali will be celebrated 5 days long this year : 31st Oct, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Nov…..

Diwali Days in 2013 and Cultural/Religious Significance:

S. No.	Date	Day	Name	Cultural /   Religious Significance
1	31st Oct	Thursday	Vasu Baras / Dwadashi	Symbolizes Welcoming Prosperity (Making your Cows & Calf happy, if any), Start putting lamps around house daily from today + Prayers + Buy New Cloths + Share special delicious Food/Sweets together with Friends, Family, Guests, Relatives & Neighbours + Play Crackers
2	1st Nov	Friday	Dhanatrayodashi /   Dhanteras/ Yama Deepam / Kali Chaudas	Symbolyzes   bringing Wealth in Home – Auspicious day to buy Metals Gold/Silver / Platinum /Bronze, etc + Prayers + Share special delicious Food/Sweets together with Family, Guests,  Friends, Relatives & Neighbours + Lit Lamps & Play Crackers
3	2nd Nov	Saturday	Narak Chaturdashi /   Lakshmi pooja / Diwali Pooja / Begal Kali Pooja	BIGGEST   Day – Worshiping Goddess Laxmi (Wealth, Well being & Prosperity) with   family. Remembering victory of Good over Evil & Darkness. Taking Early   moring bath before sun rise & go to temple for prayers – Today Lord   Krishna Killed Narakasur Demon in Mahabharat era + Lit Lamps & Play Crackers + Share special delicious Food/Sweets together with Friends, Family, Guests, Relatives & Neighbours
4	3rd Nov	Sunday	Diwali Devpooja /   Bali Pratipada / Govardhan Pooja	Ladies   (in family) day- Husband gives gifts to Wife & Father gives gifts to   Daughter + Worship of Lord Vishnu for his victory over devils + Prayers +  Lit Lamps & Play Crackers + Share special delicious Food/Sweets together with Friends, Family, Guests, Relatives & Neighbours
5	4th Nov	Monday	Bhau Beej / Bhaiya   Dooj / Yama Dwitiya / Gujarati New Year	Brother-   Sister Day! Both give gifts to each other and shares love/affection +   family prayers + Lit Lamps & Play Crackers + Share special delicious Food/Sweets together with Friends, Family, Guests, Relatives & Neighbours

More details  about Diwali in next post or see here @ wikipedia

Watch clip to know basics, how Indians celebrate Diwali…

Diwali – Festival Of Lights ( Via National Geographic)

Image Credit: “en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali”

Sources: Wikipedia, National Geographic clip, Youtube, Google search, and all hyperlinks mentioned in the post.