Diwali Recipes

The festival of Diwali gives us the license for fun and revelry. During the festive season of Diwali, India dresses up in a new look of fun and feasts. Diwali is the time for decorating your house with earthen lamps called Diyas, wearing new clothes, bursting firecrackers, meeting family and friends and of course enjoying the delicious items of sweets and snacks prepared specially for this occasion. People make colorful Rangoli patterns in front of their house to give a festive look, special Diwali recipes are made and even gift items and greeting cards.

Weeks before Diwali, every Hindu family is busy painting and decorating their homes, and shopping for gifts and preparing new dishes. On the Diwali day, shops are packed with people buying freshly made sweets. You can choose from a wide variety of sweets available in the market ranging from dry fruit sweets to special Diwali sweets.

In next posts you will find some recipes for sweets, which you can try at home as they are easy to make and fast to cook. You can try out these dishes and serve to your guests on the festive day.

Diwali Gifts

Thinking of Diwali we think of Diwali Gifts, Sweets and Firecrackers. Diwali is the most famous and important festival in the Hindu calendar. All Indians not only in our country but abroad celebrates it with great enthusiasm and joy. Diwali is regarded as the festival of lights. The festival is celebrated in different manner through out the nation. But the universal theme behind its celebration is intact across the country.

The uniqueness of Diwali festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or idea and belief. It is the time to socialize met friends and relatives. If somebody is staying abroad away from home than they come to met during this festive season exchange gifts and share home-cooked meals. The festivities surrounding Diwali encourage people to gather and socialize. Diwali is the time to exchange gifts and enjoy. It's the time to gift your loved one gift that they will enjoy. Diwali gifts spread joy, splendor, brightness and happiness.

Diwali is known throughout the world for its celebratory fervor. Jewellery, new clothes, fresh flowers and offerings of traditional sweets sum up a typical Indian celebration. Diwali is one such occasion where this particular description would fit perfectly. One of the most colorful and vibrant of the Indian festivals, people visits the places of their relatives and friends to wish them on the occasion of Diwali and exchange gifts.

Gifts can be in any form depending on the budget and to whom you are gifting. Before selecting the gift you should know whom you are giving and what are its likes and dislikes. If you are giving anything to your brother it can be from clothes to perfumes to electronic goods to accessories like watches. For sisters it can be saris, dress materials, perfumes, jewellery or anything of her choice. Flowers, chocolates and traditional sweets are an all time favorite. You can choose from a varied range available in DiwaliStore.com. Neighbors and friends drop in and it is customary to exchange gifts. For the business associates it could be something in silver or gold coin or leather goods, for the daughter-in-law a sari or a piece of jewellery, for the son may be a watch, a camera or even electronic goods can be a good option. Exchange of gifts in Diwali is now a custom. It is not necessary that you have to gift expensive items but it is important to show your concern and feelings for the other person.

Since Diwali signifies fun, love and enjoyment.

When is Diwali

Whenever we talk of Diwali Festival the first think that comes to our mind is when Diwali is celebrated or the date of the festival. This year the Diwali Festival will be celebrated on 21st October 2006 and last year Diwali was celebrated on 1st November 2005.

Normally according to the Hindu calendar the festival of Diwali, which is celebration of truth and light is celebrated on a nation-wide scale on Amavasya, the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Aasho), which is usually the month of October or November every year. Here are list of dates for the coming four years of Diwali Festival. They are as follows:

In 2007, Diwali will be celebrated on 9th November 2007.

In 2008, Diwali will be celebrated on 28th October 2008.

In 2009, Diwali will be celebrated on 17th October 2009.

In 2010, Diwali will be celebrated on 5th November 2010.

History of Diwali

India is considered to be the land of festivals. And each of the festivals, which are celebrated here, has a reason or significance behind its celebration. Diwali the festival of light is also not an exception. It is celebrated across the country with lots of enthusiasm and fun. Though the way it is celebrated differs from region to region according to the traditions and culture of that state but the reason behind its celebration remains same. The festival is celebrated by all there is no cast or age bar. The festival brings light in everybody's life.

The Diwali festival symbolizes unity in diversity as every state celebrates it in its own special way. If we try to look for the origin of the festival we have to refer to history. And history tells us that the festival is celebrated mainly for four days commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi and concludes on Kartika Shudda Vijiya. And each day has a significance and history behind its celebration. The first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks the killing of the demon king Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.

The second day is Amavasya and according to the legends Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, was incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi. From that day she is worshipped as the symbol of wealth and prosperity. It is also said that on this very day Lord Vishnu rescued Goddess Lakshmi from the prison of Demon king bali and for that reason Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the day of Diwali. The third day is "Kartika Shudda Padyami."

On this day Bali would come out of Pathala Loka and rule Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as "Bali Padyami". The fourth day is referred to as "Yama Dvitiya." On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes. Whereas according to legends it is also said that Lord Rama returned from exile to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his subjects illuminated the kingdom and burst crackers. Goddess Kali is also worshipped during this time.

Diwali Traditions

The literal meaning of Deepavali in Sanskrit is 'a row of lamps.' That's why Diwali is called the festival of lights. As we all celebrate it by lighting of Diyas in our home. Diwali is a tradition that is popular in most regions of the country. Even today in this modern world Diwali projects the rich and glorious past of our country and teaches us to uphold the true values of life. Every festival of India has such glorious and rich traditions that are portrayed through its celebration.

Diwali is associated with many customs and traditions. Like the tradition of Rangoli, tradition of burning crackers, tradition of lights, tradition of Diwali Pujas and Diwali Gifts Tradition. One of the most curious customs, which characterizes this festival of Diwali, is the indulgence of gambling, especially on a large scale in north India. Rangoli is a traditional Hindu folk art; it is a kind of designs generally created on a floor on special festive occasions. The origin of this art can be traced to the Puranas (works on Hindu mythology). It is said that the tradition of Rangoli originated in Maharashtra and slowly disseminated to other parts of India. It gives a colorful look to the festival celebration.

The festival of Diwali remind us of the brilliant display of colorful fireworks which explode in the dark nights. The cities are famous for these. It is a unique part of Diwali celebration. Now it has become an inseparable part of Diwali festival.

Exchange of Gifts is another unique feature of Diwali celebration. Diwali encourage people to gather and socialize with friends and family, exchange gifts and share home-cooked meals. The Diwali gifts exchanged on this occasion reflect happiness, love and joy. Lighting of Diyas is also an important part of Diwali celebration. Lighting Diyas brings divine brightness and joy with the hope of finding light in darkness, achieving knowledge where there is ignorance and spreading love where there is hatred. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

Diwali is also associated with Pooja of different Gods. There are many legends and religious accounts to it. Lights and Diyas are lit to signifying the driving away of darkness and ignorance, as well as the awakening of the light within us. That's why the festival of Diwali is a true portrayal of the rich cultural and traditional values and customs of India.

Significance of Diwali

Deepavali (Diwali) is a festival where people from all age groups participate & exchange gifts. They give expression to their happiness by lighting earthen 'Diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame.

Diwali is one time in the whole year that children volunteer to leave their beds long before the day begins. In fact, the traditional oil bath at 3 A.M. is the only chore that stands between them and the pre-dawn adventures. They emerge, scrubbed clean to get into their festive attire, and light up little oil lamps, candles and scented sticks (Agarbatis), the means for setting alight crackers and sparklers.

Who shall set off the first chain of crackers that go boom, bang and vroom? And who is the owner of the 10-minute 'banger' that steals the thunder from your little chain of needle-sized crackers? Does the boy next door have more crackers than me?

Competition is stiff, and even the little girl in silk frocks and their finery are watching out for the best sparklers and flowerpots, the rockets and Vishnu chakras, which light-up the night sky like a thousand stars. Grown-ups are the soul of generosity. Festive bonhomie abounds.

Deepawali (Diwali) Celebrations

The festival of Diwali reminds us of the festive season of joy, splendor, enthusiasm and happiness. It is the festival of lights and is celebrated with great excitement by all Indians all over the world. The uniqueness of the festival is that it is celebrated for five days and each of the days has a special significance and importance.

Each of the five days is based of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal. The first day of Diwali is called the Dhanteras, Dhanwantari Triodasi or Dhantryaodashi, which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurveda for mankind. This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset offerings are made of sweets during worship time to Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) for the protection from untimely death. It is mainly done near a Tulsi tree (basil tree) or any other sacred tree.

The second day is called the Narak Chaturdasi. It is the Choti Diwali celebration. On this day Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from evil power. It falls on the fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. The third and the most important day of Diwali is marked with Lakshmi Puja. It is the main day of celebration. On this day Goddess Laxmi is worshipped. All the Hindu family clean their house and themselves and join with their families and relative the puja of divine Goddess Lakshmi to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

Diwali marks the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business and businessmen perform Chopda Pujan on this day on the new books of accounts. Any new business or venture starts with Diwali puja. The fourth day of Diwali is called Padwa or VarshaPratipada and Govardhan Puja, that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day. On this day, Govardhan Pooja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Govardhan Pooja. From that time onwards every year Hindus worship Govardhan. This day is also observed as Annakoot and prayers are offered in the temples.

The fifth day of Diwali is celebrated as Bhai Duj or Bhratri Dooj. This is the day after Goverdhan Pooja is performed and normally two days after Diwali. It is a day dedicated to brothers and sisters. The rituals are more or less like Raksha Bandhan where the sisters pray for the well being of their brothers. The celebration of Bhai Dooj marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations. This is also known as Bhai fota among Bengalis. Bhai fota is an event especially among Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother's safety, success and well-being.

Diwali Celebration in India

Diwali is regarded as one of the most important festival of the Hindu calendar. Diwali is celebrated across the nation with great pomp and excitement. The Diwali festival is mainly associated with lights as it is called the festival of light. On the day of the Diwali festival Diyas (small clay lamps) are lit in everybody's home irrespective of their social status.

The name Diwali signifies 'rows of lighted lamps'. Diwali is a five-day festival, beginning on the 15th day of the Hindu calendar month of Kartika (Ashwin). By the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls in October or November. Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu and Gujarati New Year and is celebrated with the lighting of lamps and candles, and lots of fireworks. People decorate their home with beautiful Diyas and making Rangoli pattern in the courtyard and in front of the gate. They put flowers and mango leaves on their doors and windows. Diyas and candles are placed on rooftops, rooms, and kitchen and even in the bathrooms.

On this day, people worship Lord Ganesha, the foremost of all Hindu Gods and Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. It is time to exchange gifts and sweets with friends, relatives and neighbors.

So keeping this in mind Diwali Store offers exclusive Diwali Gifts like Diwali Sweets, Diwali Essentials, Diwali Diyas & Candles, Diwali Gift Hampers & lots more.

Due to India's varied cultural diversity there are many manifestations of the Diwali festival. The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day set aside to worship the goddess of Prosperity - Goddess Lakshmi. On this day, homes are cleaned and paintings are done.

There are various legends associated with the celebration of Diwali. But people mostly associate the celebration with the legend of Lord Ram returning to his kingdom of Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and defeating Ravana, the demon king. In Bengal, the celebration is marked with the worship of Goddess Kali. People celebrate Kali Puja with great fervor and enthusiasm. Joy and festivity reins every corner of the nation during the Diwali season. Diwali festival is the one Hindu festival that unites the whole of India. The exchange of sweets and the explosion of fireworks customarily accompany the celebration of the festival. Diwali is an occasion for cheerfulness and togetherness. This is that time of the year when people of all age and all class take part in its celebration.

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Economics of Diwali

Diwali is an annual stimulus for the Indian economy. Indians purchase gold, gifts, decorations, crackers and household appliances during this festival. Companies offer huge discounts during the Diwali season to attract customers, which helps the economy and also helps the poor. It also helps the community in hunger since this festival shares it food. It also brings tourists to the country.

Since Diwali period also marks school holidays in most parts of India, many Bollywood movies are released during this period.

Diwali Melas

To add to the festival of Diwali, fairs called Melas are held throughout India. Melas are to be found in many towns and villages. A mela generally becomes a market day in the countryside when farmers buy and sell produce. Girls and women dress attractively during the festival. They wear colourful clothing; new jewelry and their hands are decorated with henna designs.

There are plenty of activities that take place at a Mela. These activities include performances from jugglers, acrobats, snake charmers and fortune tellers. Food stalls are set up, selling sweet and spicy foods. A variety of rides are present during the fair, which include Ferris wheels and rides on animals such as elephants, horses and camels. Another attraction is the puppet shows that are shown throughout the day.

Diwali in other parts of the world

Diwali is celebrated in various parts of the world, in countries such as Britain, The Netherlands, Suriname, Canada, Guyana, Mauritius, Fiji, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, much of Africa, and the United States. With more and more Indians now migrating to various parts of the world, the number of countries where Diwali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it has become part of the general local culture. In most of these countries Diwali is celebrated on the same lines as described in this article with some minor variations. Some important variations are worth mentioning.

In Malaysia, Diwali is known as "Hari Deepavali," and is celebrated during the seventh month of the Hindu solar calendar. It is a federal public holiday. In many respects it resembles the traditions followed in the Indian subcontinent.

In Nepal, Diwali is known as Tihar and celebrated during the October/November period. Here, though the festival is celebrated for five days, the traditions vary from those followed in India. On the first day, cows are given offerings, in appreciation of the food they have given and agricultural work they have performed. On the second day, dogs and all living animals are revered and offered special food. On the third day, celebrations follow the same pattern as in India, with lights and lamps and much social activity. On the fourth day Yama, the Lord of Death, is worshipped and appeased. On the fifth and final day, brothers and sisters meet and exchange pleasantries.

Diwali is celebrated in the Caribbean Islands as well. Especially in Trinidad and Tobago, Diwali is marked as a special occasion and celebrated with much fanfare. It is observed as a national holiday in this part of the world and some Ministers of the Government also take part in the celebrations publicly.

Diwali in Jainism

Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, attained Nirvana on this day at Pavapuri. According to Jain tradition the chief disciple of Mahavira, Ganadhar Gautam Swami also attained complete knowledge on this very day, thus making Diwali a really special occasion for the Jains to celebrate.

Diwali is first mentioned in Jain books as the date of the nirvana of Lord Mahavira. The oldest use of the word "Diwali/Dipavali" occurs in Harivamsha-Purana written by Acharya Jinasena, composed in Shaka Samvat 705.

The way Jains celebrate Diwali is different in many respects. There is a note of asceticism in whatever the Jains do, and the celebration of Diwali is not an exception. The Jains celebrate Diwali during the month of Kartik for three days. During this period, among the Shvetambaras, devoted Jains observe fasting and chant the Uttaradhyayan Sutra, which contain the final pravachans of Lord Mahavira, and meditate upon him.

Vira Nirvana Samvat: The Jain year starts with Pratipada following Diwali. Vira Nirvana Samvat 2532 starts with Diwali 2005. The Jain businessmen traditionally started their accounting year from Diwali.

Diwali in Sikhism

Sikhs also celebrate Diwali to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone for the Golden Temple in 1577. It is also known as Bandi Chhorh Divas. The Mughal emperor Jahangir arrested the Sikh Guru Hargobind and imprisoned him in Gwalior. Later Jahangir relented and released the Guru. The Guru asked that 52 rulers imprisoned with him should also be released. To the joy of the Sikhs the Guru returned to Amritsar on Diwali and it prompted the followers to celebrate the day with joy and happiness.

On Diwali the Sikhs illuminate their Gurdwaras and homesare with Deewé (earthen oil lamps) or candles. Early in the morning, Sikh pilgrims take a dip in the sacred tank while reciting Japji Sahib, and then pray at the Golden Temple. Circumambulation of the tank is done.

The Five days of Diwali

The Five days of Diwali:-

Diwali is celebrated over five days in most of North India. All the days except Diwali are named using the designation in the Indian calendar. A lunar half-month is 15 days. Diwali as a new-moon day marks the last day of a 15-day period.

1. Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "13th day". Thus, as the name implies, this day falls on the 13th day of the first half of the lunar month. It is an auspicious day for shopping.

2. Naraka Chaturdasi: Narak means 'of a new era of Light and Knowledge'. Chaturdasi implies fourteenth day.

3. Diwali: the actual day of Diwali, is celebrated on the third day of the festival, when the moon completely wanes and total darkness sets in the night sky.

4. Varsha-pratipada or Padwa: Beginning of the New Year (Kartikadi Vikram). Pratipada means the first.

5. Bhayiduj (also Bhayyaduj, Bhaubeej or Bhayitika): on this day, brothers and sisters meet to express their love and affection for each other.

The celebrations vary in different regions:

• In Southern India, naraka chaturdashii is the main day, with firecrackers at dawn.

• The main festival is on Amavasya evening with Lakshmi Puja which is followed by lighting of oil lamps around the house.

Significance of Diwali in Hinduism

The festival marks the victory of good over evil. The Sanskrit word Deepavali means array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. As the knowledge of Sanskrit diminished, the name was popularly modified to Diwali, especially in northern India.

On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes, share sweets and light firecrackers. The North Indian business community usually starts their financial new year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day.

Hindus find cause to celebrate this festival for different reasons:

• As per sacred texts, according to Skandha Purana, the goddess Shakti observed 21 days of austerity starting from ashtami of shukla paksha (waxing period of moon) to get half part of the body of Lord Shiva. This vrata is known as kedhara vrata. Deepavali is the completion day of this austerity. This is the day Lord Shiva accepted Shakti into the left half of the form and appeared as Ardhanarishvara. The ardent devotees observe this 21 days vrata by making a kalasha with 21 threads on it and 21 types of offerings for 35 days. The final day is celebrated as kedhara gauri vrata.

• Diwali also celebrates the return of the Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya from a war in which he killed the demon king Ravana. It is believed that the people lit oil lamps along the way to light their path in the darkness. In North India, the festival is held on the final day of the Vikram calendar. The following day marks the beginning of the North Indian New Year, and is called Annakut.

• It commemorates the killing of Narakasura, an evil demon who created havoc, by Lord Krishna's wife Sathyabhama. This happened in the Dwapara Yuga during this time of Lord Krishna's avatar. In another version, the demon was killed by Lord Krishna himself. In South India, Diwali does not coincide with the beginning of a new year as South Indians follow a different calendar, the Shalivahana calendar.

• In Bhavishyottara and Bramhavaivarta Purana, Diwali is associated with the Daitya king Bali, who is allowed to return to earth once a year.

Diwali | Dates in various calendars

The date of Diwali is based on the Hindu calendar, which has solar sidereal years and lunar months. Although the festival is worshipped on exactly the same set of days across India, it falls in different months depending on the version of the Hindu calendar being used in the given region.

The Amanta ("ending on the no-moon") version of the Hindu calendar has been adopted as the Indian national calendar. According to this calendar, which is prevalent in southern India and Maharashtra, deepavali falls in the middle of the month of Ashwayuja. According to the Purnimanta ("ending on the full-moon") version prevalent in northern India, the 5-day celebration is spread over the last three days of the month of Ashwayuja and the first two days of the new month of Kartika. According to this calendar, the festival of Deepavali marks the new year's day of this calendar and is therefore an especially significant festival.

In the Gregorian calendar, it falls generally in the months of October or November. In 2005, the new moon day which is the third and most important day of the festival fell on November 1. In 2006, it will be celebrated on October 21 (Saturday).

Diwali

Diwali (also called as Deepavali) is a major Hindu festival. Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional diyas (as illustrated). Fireworks are associated with the festival in some regions of the country.

Deepavali is celebrated for five consecutive days in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja. It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals of India. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. For Jains it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the Jain year. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith.