DivaPic 01 An earthen lamp, lit with mustard oil
Deepavali (12.11.2023)
-Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]
DivaPic 02 Row of earthen lamps, lit with mustard oil, on Deepavali
शुभम् करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यम् धन संपदा |
शत्रुबुद्धि विनाशाय दीप ज्योतिर नमो़स्तुते ||
(शुभ करोगे तो कल्याण होगा, बिना रोग के जीवन ही आपकी धन सम्पति है |
शत्रु की बुद्धि (बुरी योजनाएँ) का विनाश जो दीपक का प्रकाश करता है, मैं उसका नमन करता हूं || [2])
दीप ज्योतिः परब्रह्म दीप ज्योतिर जनार्दनः |
दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीप ज्योतिर नमो़स्तुते ॥
(दीपकीरोशनी: परब्रह्म दीप की रोशनी है, और ज्योतिर जनार्दन की भी रोशनी है |
हे दीपमेरेपापोंकोदूरकरे, हे दीप की रोशनी मैंआपकोनमनकरताहूं॥ [3])
दीपावली (Deepavali), दिवाली (Divali, Diwali), नरक चतुर्दशी (Narak Chaturdashi), काली पूजा (Kali Puja), are five day of festivals starting with धनतेरस (Dhanteras) and ending with अन्नकूट (Annakut), गोवर्धन पूजा (Goverdhan Puja), and भाई दूज (Bhai Dooj), which celebrate Lord Ram’s return from exile to his kingdom in अयोध्या (Ayodhya), as the festival of lights. Traditionally, homes are lit with दीपक, दिया (earthen lamps) with बत्ती (cotton wicks) and सरसों का तेल (mustard oil).
In 2023 during these five days, 14.11.2023, will also be celebrated as बाल दिवस (Bal Diwas or Children's Day), as the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
Deepavali is celebrated on Amavasya (new moon day) of Kartik month of Vikram calendar, corresponding to October/November of the Gregorian Calendar.
There is Laxmi Ganesha Puja [4] and business start new book of accounts. In the past Income tax laws provided for a separate accounting year for Diwali for a period not exceeding thirteen months.
DivaPic 03 Homes lit for Deepavali
धनतेरस Dhanteras
धनत्रयोदशी (Dhantrayodashi) or धनतेरस (Dhanteras) is the first day of five day long Deepavali time festivities. It is believed that on Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during समुद्र मंथन (churning of the Sea), and is worshipped along with Lord Kubera, the God of wealth.
Dhanteras is also celebrated as Dhanvantari Trayodashi or Dhanvantri Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Dhanvantari, stated to be the physician of devas (Gods), regarded as an avatar of Vishnu and mentioned in the Puranas as the god of Ayurveda.
DivaPic 04 Rangoli designs on a Deepavali
यमदीप (Yamadeep) is a ritual on Trayodashi Tithi, when a lamp is lit outside the home, for यम (Yama, God of death) to ward off an untimely death in the family.
DivaPic 05 Lighting earthen lamps under Tulsi plants on Deepavali
In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka ,Tamil Nadu and Telangana and some other states, devotees begin the day with an oil bath before sunrise. [5] Elders apply oil on the head of younger family members. In parts of Tamil Nadu, it is customary to eat a bit of lehyam (a slightly sweet ayurvedic medicinal preparation). People clean their homes and decorate them with kolam or moggu designs, similar to rangoli. People wear new clothes, perform Puja, light earthen lamps and burst crackers [6].
Crackers in South India are burst in the morning unlike the North where they are burst in the night of Deepawali.
In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka ,Tamil Nadu and Telangana and some other states, Narak Chaturdashi is observed on Chaturdashi Tithi during Brahma Muhurat i.e. just before sunrise. This contrasts with other parts of India, where Deepavali is celebrated on Amavasya Tithi during Pradosh i.e. after sunset.
Depending on the start and end timing of Chaturdashi and of Amavasya Tithi as per the Indian lunar calendar, festivities in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka ,Tamil Nadu and Telangana and some other states, are celebrated a day before or on the same day as Deepavali in rest of India. In 2023, Deepavali and Narak Chaturdashi are being celebrated on the same day, i.e., November 12.
Narak Chaturdashi celebrates the killing of demon Narakasura. Narakasur troubled his subjects and ill-treated women. When the news of Narakasur humiliating women reached Satyabhama, wife of Lord Krishna she requested him to finish Narakasur. The day of Lord Krishna killing Narakasur is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali.
Govardhan Puja/Annakut
Govardhan Puja is the main ritual performed during Annakut, and is one segment of the day-long Annakut festival. However, some treat Govardhan Puja and Annakut as the same.
Govardhan Puja falls on the next/subsequent day after Diwali Puja, celebrating Lord Krishna’s symbolic victory over God Indra.
As per Bhagavata Purana, to save people from drowning due to widespread torrential rains because of the fury of God Indra, Lord Krishna called everyone to Govardhan Parvat and lifted it on this little finger, so that everyone can take refuge under it. He stood still holding the mountain for 7 days until Lord Indra realised his mistake and cleared the rain.
On this day, devotees circumambulate Goverdhan Parbat, a 21 km trek, with several temples on the route.
During these seven days when Lord Krishna held the mountain on his little finger, he did not eat a single grain of food, against the 8 dishes he ate every day. Therefore, at the end of the seventh day, people of Vrindavan cook 56 dishes and offer it to him as gratitude.
DivaPic 06 Goverdhan Parvat, view from the western side
On Govardhan/Annakut Puja, devotees cook and offer 56 dishes, called Chhappan bhog, [7] to Lord Krishna as a mark of gratitude. There are versions of what constitutes chappan bhog.
The first version of chappan bhog is
7 types of cereals
7 types of fruits
7 types of dryfruits
7 vegetables
7 sweets
7 natural drinks
7 namkeen
7 sauces or pickles
The second version of chappan bhog is
16 types of namkeen
20 types of sweets
20 types of dry fruit
The third version with an alternate grouping is
Snacks (7)
Bhujia, Kachori, Pakode, Papad, Mathri, Shakkar Para, Tikki,
Chatnis (3)
Pudina chutney, Coconut chutney, Murabba,
Vegetables/Curries (6)
Brinjal sabji, Channa, Dal, Kadi, Lauki sabji, Saag,
Cereal/Grain (7)
Chila, Dalia, Khichadi, Poori, Rice, Roti, Sweetened Rice
Sweets (11)
Ghevar, Jalebi, Jeera Laddus, Kheer, Makhan Mishri, Malpua, Mohanbhog, Moong Dal Halwa, Peda, Rabdi, Rasgulla,
Dry fruits (4)
Almonds, Cashew nuts, Pistachios, Raisins,
Fruits (5)
Apples, Banana, Grapes, Mango, Plums,
Drinks (5)
Badam milk, Coconut water, Mathha, Lassi, Shikanjvi
Other Milk Preparations (4)
Curd, Ghee, Honey, Malai,
Mouth freshener/digestive (4)
Illaichi, Paan, Saunf, Supaari
In Maharashtra it is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Bali Padva, celebrating the victory of Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, over King Bali and subsequent pushing of Bali to पाताल लोक (Patal Lok).
The earliest mention of the Bali's story being enacted in dramas and poetry of ancient India is found in Mahabhasya of Patanjali on Panini's Astadhyayi. [8] The festival has links to the Vedic era, sura-asura conflict and the समुद्र मंथन (samudra manthan, churning of the sea), when Mahabali was the King of asuras. The festivities also find mention in Mahabharata, Ramayana, and several major Puranas, such as the Brahma purana, Kurma purana, Matsya purana amongst others.
There are several messages and associated stories of the festivals.
First, alongside Rama, devotees worship Krishna, another avatar (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu as Naraka Chaturdashi and Goverdhan Puja.
Second, the need to maintain harmony with nature, whose fury can destroy, and the related importance of shelters in times of nature's fury.
Third, it is harvest time, since 56 dishes require plenty of fresh/food.
Kali Puja/Shyama Puja
Kali Puja is celebrated in Assam, Orissa and West Bengal.
In Purva (eastern India) festivities carry on till Chath Puja, six days after Deepawali.
The different celebrations coincide with harvest.
श्री गणेश जी की आरती
जय गणेश जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा ।
माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा॥ जय ॥
लड्डुअन का भोग लगे, संत करें सेवा ॥ जय ॥
एक दंत दयावंत, चार भुजा धारी ।
मस्तक सिंदूर सोहे, मूसे की सवारी ॥ जय ॥
अंधन को आंख देत, कोढ़िन को काया ।
बांझन को पुत्र देत निर्धन को माया ॥ जय ॥
पान चढ़े फल चढ़े, और चढ़े मेवा ॥ जय ॥
शूर श्याम शरण आए, सफल कीजे सेवा ॥ जय ॥
लक्ष्मी जी की आरती
ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता, मैया जय लक्ष्मी माता ।
तुमको निशदिन सेवत, हर विष्णु विधाता ॥ ॐ ॥
उमा रमा ब्रम्हाणी, तुम ही जग माता ।
सूर्य चन्द्रमाँ ध्यावत, नारद ऋषि गाता ॥ ॐ ॥
दुर्गा रूप निरंजनी, सुख सम्पति दाता ।
जो कोई तुम को ध्यावत, ऋद्धि-सिद्धि धन पाता ॥ ॐ ॥
तुम पाताल निवासिनी, तुम ही शुभ दाता ।
कर्म प्रभाव प्रकाशिनी, भवनिधि की त्राटा ॥ ॐ ॥
जिस घर तुम रहती, तहँ सब सदगुण आता ।
सब संभव हो जाता, मन नहीं घबराता ॥ ॐ ॥
तुम बिन यज्ञ न होता, व्रत न हो पाता ।
खान पान का वैभव, सब तुम से आता ॥ ॐ ॥
शुभ गुण मंदिर सुन्दर, क्षीरोदधि जाता ।
रत्ना चतुर्दश तुम बिन, कोई नहीं पाता ॥ ॐ ॥
महा लक्ष्मी जी की आरती, जो कोई जन गाता ।
उर आनंद समाता, पाप उतर जाता ॥ ॐ ॥
जगदीश्वर जी की आरती
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे, स्वामी! जय जगदीश हरे।
भक्तजनों (दास जनों) के संकट क्षण में दूर करे॥ ॐ जय…॥
जो ध्यावै फल पावै, दुख (प्रभु) बिनसे मन का।
सुख-संपत्ति घर आवै, कष्ट मिटे तन का॥ ॐ जय…॥
मात-पिता तुम मेरे, शरण गहूं किसकी।
तुम (प्रभु) बिनु और न दूजा, आस करूं जिसकी॥ ॐ जय…॥
तुम पूरन परमात्मा, तुम अंतरयामी॥
पारब्रह्म परेमश्वर, तुम सबके स्वामी॥ ॐ जय…॥
तुम करुणा के सागर तुम पालनकर्ता।
मैं मूरख खल कामी (में सेवक तुम स्वामी), कृपा करो भर्ता॥ ॐ जय…॥
तुम हो एक अगोचर, सबके प्राणपति।
किस विधि मिलूं दयामय! तुमको मैं कुमति॥ ॐ जय…॥
दीनबंधु दुखहर्ता, तुम ठाकुर मेरे।
अपने हाथ उठाओ (अपने हाथ बढ़ाओ), द्वार पड़ा तेरे॥ ॐ जय…॥
विषय विकार मिटाओ, पाप हरो देवा।
श्रद्धा-भक्ति बढ़ाओ (श्रद्धा प्रेम बढ़ाओ), संतन की सेवा॥ ॐ जय…॥
तन-मन-धन, सब कुछ है तेरा।
तेरा तुझको अर्पण क्या लागे मेरा॥ ॐ जय…॥
जगदीश्वरजी की आरती जो कोई नर गावे।
कहत शिवानंद स्वामी, मनवांछित फल पावे॥ ॐ जय…॥
[1] Author, Freelance, Indian Economic Service, Senior Economic Adviser (Retired), Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and former Adviser (P 4) UNDP, Yemen has in posts on his website (https://rohitkparmar.wixsite.com/site), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-kumar-parmar-841b4724) YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@rohitkparmar), twitter (https://twitter.com/rohitkparmar?s=09), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rohit.parmar.5268750/), been writing/sharing varied topics and can be reached at rohitkparmar@yahoo.com. [2] This is a sequential translation in the order of the shloka, by the author. [3] This is also a sequential translation in the order of the shloka, by the author. [4] Arti Pujan of Ganesh and Laxmi is done, alongside reciting of other mantras and artis. Most arti’s have some regional variations in terms of usage of words and at times an additional stanza. Some verses are also sung twice, with slight changes in the words. [5] This is on Chaturdashi Tithi, a day before Deepavali. [6] In the recent years, there is a ban/restriction on bursting crackers due to pollution. [7] Taking after 56 or chappan bhog (dishes), there are several sweet shops and/or restaurants in India, named as chappan bhog. [8] Panini's Ashtadhyayi is a grammar book on Sanskrit. The Mahabhasya, attributed to Patanjali, is a commentary on selected rules of Sanskrit grammar from Panini's treatise, the Ashtadhyayi.
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