2nd Day of Diwali – Dhanatrayodashi aka Dhanteras

Dhan means wealth and trayodashi is the 13th day of the weaning moon in the month of Ashwin. Thus, on the day of Dhanatrayodashi all the sources of wealth are worshipped. Apart from this, Dhanatrayodashi is taken as a day to learn from the experience of one’s past deeds and pay homage to memory of ancestors from whom one inherits these traditions.

The farmers worship their cattle and their weapons. Women buy something in metal especialy silver, good for the house. On this day, doorways are hung with torans, garland made of mango leaves and marigolds and decorated with Rangolis drawn to welcome guests.

On this day, Dhanvantari, the God of health and welfare is worshipped by performing acts such as cleaning the entire house, buying new clothes, new vessels etc. Shri Dhanvantari is worshipped on this day because this is the day that he arose from the ocean during the famous Samudra Manthan. The God of Health is worshiped first because Hinduism gives tremendous importance to physical well being.

(Source: http://www.diwalifestival.org/dhanatrayodashi.html)

It is also believed that On the day of Dhantrayodashi, Goddess Lakshmi came out of the ocean during the churning of the Milky Sea. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord Kubera who is the God of wealth, is worshipped on the auspicious day of Trayodashi. However, Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya after two days of Dhantrayodashi is considered more significant.

(source: http://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/dhanteras/festivals-dhanteras-puja-timings.html)

You can also check this post by my blogger friend – Swapnil Pandey. She is an amazing writer and shares lot of informative stuff.

On this occasion of Dhanatrayodashi/Dhanteras, I wish you an your families that may Lord Dhanwantari bless you with abundant health and may Goddess Laxmi bless you with lot of wealth.

Happy Diwali!!!

Daily Prompt: Smoke

 

He puffed a cigarette and exhaled a circle of smoke hoping to see her on the other side with a pinched nose and her hand waving to break this smoky cloud.

He wanted to hear her say one last time, “Sweeto, I am telling you I will really leave you if you don’t quit smoking.”

But it was too late, she had quit him before he could quit smoking. She had had to quit this world and vanish into the smoke that rose from the dead.

Destiny can be mean. Life may not give you a second chance. Be good and do good.

DO IT NOW.

via Daily Prompt: Smoke

Guru Dwadashi

Although this day is not a part of Diwali festival, I choose to write about it’s importance because it is a special day with lot of significance. It is a very important day for the followers of Lord Dattatreya. The first incarnation of lord Dattatreya is Sreepada Sreevallabha. His birth place is Pithapuram in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. He reached Kuravapur (kurugadda) which is nearer to Raichur of Karnataka, India, which is on the bank of Krishna River and performed penance there.

He concluded his avathara (incarnation) of Sreepadavallabha in Krishna river on the day of ” ASHWEEJA BAHULA DWADASHI ” and the day is termed as ” GURU DWADASHI ” in all the kshetras of Lord Dattatreya. The day is highly powerful and performing abhishekas and pujas to Lord Dattatreya in all Datta kshetras (holy places where Lord Dattatreya himself or his incarnations had resided). This year the day is falling on 27th October.

(source: http://www.indiadivine.org/content/topic/1578296-guru-dwadashi/)

1st Day of Diwali – Vasubaras

Vasubaras marks the beginning of Diwali festival. On this day, Cow and her calf is worshipped. A small pooja is performed for the Cow and calf and they are fed Karanji. Karanji is a sweet prepared specially for Diwali festival. It is believed that no one in the family should eat Karanji before it is fed to the Holy Cow. Some ladies also fast on this day and consume meal only once.

In a legend, it is mentioned that from the Great Churning of the ocean (samudramanthan) five wish-fulfilling cows (kâmadhenûs) emerged. Among these five wish-fulfilling cows, a divine cow Nandâ had also emerged. This vowed religious observance is performed to worship this divine cow Nandâ. On this day, married women (soubhâgyava¬tîs) undertake a fast partaking of only one meal, and either in the morning or evening; worship an embellished cow and her calf. (source: http://forumforhinduawakening.org)

Vasubaras is also known as Govatsa Dwadashi. According to Hindu Calendar, this day is celebrated one day prior to Dhanteras. I fill post information about Dhanteras in due course of time. Since Hindu calendar something called as “tithies” (similar to dates in English Calendar), the actual dates keep changing each month but the Hindu month and tithie is the same each year. This is true for each festival. For example, in the year 2015, Vasubaras fell on 7^th November while this year it is on 26^th October, but in both the years Hindu Calendar month and tithie is the same – Ashwin Govatsa Dwadashi

Modern Twist:

While you share this significance with children to inculcate traditions and rituals in them, do help them to relate to today’s world. They might not want to know the dates and tithies of this festival but the lesson that they need to know is – worship some power (Cow in this case because it is believed that she houses 33 crore Gods in her body), pay respect even to animals, feed them, learn to sacrifice (in this case – one meal). Take your children along with you when you perform this pooja and if it is not feasible to do so share some pictures with them. In the end, they should learn to be respectful, caring, giving & surrendering to God/Pious power.

Do add whatever information you have about Vasubaras, I would love to learn more!

Happy Diwali!

I am so happy because my favorite festival begins today, Yes… Diwali begins today. Almost from a week prior to Diwali I start surfing on happy waves and why not? The atmosphere is so cheerful and colorful. Each street that you walk down if full with display of beautiful lanterns, colorful twinkling lights over trees, shops and what not, rangoli vendors selling rangoli colors in abundance and beautiful earthen diyas!

The streets are all crowded with shoppers going insane with festive shopping. Lot of preparation of “pharal” (yummy snacks) at home which happens only on this festival, lot of gifts, lot of family and friends get-togethers, lot of decorations in the house…and the list goes on!

Most of us look forward to this festival for all the above reason and we truly enjoy and relax during these festive holidays. When we were young, our granny and sometimes our parents wouldl tell us stories to teach us significance of each day of Diwali. We were lucky to have that enlightenment but I feel sad for today’s generation who doesn’t know about Diwali beyond holidays, celebration, gifts and crackers.

I am going to do my bit by sharing significance of each day of Diwali on my blog. I encourage you to share my posts and pass on the information to your children, friends and relatives in order to preserve our tradition.

Let’s come together for this festival and celebrate it by exchange of knowledge about each other’s traditions. Watch out this place for more details

Wishing you all a Very Happy Diwali!!! Have a eco -friendly Diwali.

This Diwali don’t burst crackers, burst a sorrow. Help a needy soul and spread smiles.

Would love to hear from you how you celebrate this festival.