Diwali Pooja Vidhi

On the eve of Diwali, Lakshmi pooja is performed with great reverence. Lakshmi devi is the goddess of fortune. This is the day of celebrations of goddess Shri Lakshmi. She is pleased with the devotees who observe this festival as a dedication to her. Diwali pooja is also called as Diwali Lakshmi pooja. Read on to know Diwali pooja vidhi or procedure to worship Lakshmi devi on the occasion of Diwali festival.

Pooja Vidhi On Diwali The first pre-requisite for Diwali pooja is neatness and cleanliness of the house. This is a kind of grand welcome to goddess Lakshmi devi into our houses. So when goddess is coming to your house, wouldnt you like to keep your house clean and tidy. You must keep your house clean, tidy and decorated to welcome Lakshmi devi on DiwaliPooja occasion.

Take the laminations or deities of Lakshmi-Narayana and place them on a red cloth. You can also place the deities of Ganesha, Saraswathi and Kubera, but the presiding deities will be Lakshmi and Narayana. Decorate them with kumkum, chandan and flowers.

Place kalasha, a pot filled with rice, in front of deities and decorate it with leaves and flowers. Keep a coconut on the top and surround it with a cloth. This pot represents the power of the deity. Every thing up to here is done with pure involvement as this arrangement part of pooja is important on Diwali. Pooja vidhi is a kind of power that makes the whole pooja time as good time with pure spiritual values.

Begin the pooja with Ganesh pooja. Pray to Lord Ganesh to remove obstacles in the path of devotion to Lakshmi devi. Light several diyas and place them in a pattern so that the deities look effulgent. Lit incense sticks also. Offer flowers and fruits. Put some akshata at the feet of the deities.

Recite mantras and strotas to please Lakshmi Narayana. Perform holy bath of Lakshmi and Narayana with panchamrita. Chant Lakshmi shatnamavali, Lakshmi ashtottaras and Lakshmi mantras to please Lakshmiji. These mantraas are chanted in a Pooja on Diwali especially to give a spiritual welcome to goddess lakshmi devi in to our clean homes. After completing this pray to the deities sincerely for the well-being of all, reciting Sarve Jana Sukino Bhavantu.

Now Break a coconut. Offer mahaarti with a loud applaud of glorification of the deities. Offer naivedyam or bhoga. Take the remnants as prasadam. Beg for forgiveness to nullify any mistake that you may have committed unknowingly. Pooja is very important thing on Diwali festival Day.Hence to do the pooja it is very important to knowDeepawali pooja Vidhi.

Dhanteras Puja Vidhi

Festival Of Dhanteras is celebrated on the thirteenth day of Krishna paksha in the month of Ashwin. It is also known as Dhantrayodasi, Dhanavantri jayanti and day of Yamadeep. On this day the first diya of five-day Diwali celebrations is lit. People observe several Dhantera poojas on this day. Let us know about Dhanteras puja vidhi in this article.

Vidhi Of Dhanteras Puja : puja vidhi comprise of deity worship of Sri Dhanvantri, Shri Ganesh and Shri Lakshmi. The deities are put at an auspicious place and the place is decorated with flowers. One thing to keep in mind while choosing the deity of Lord Ganesha is the trunk of Ganeshji should be towards the right as it is considered more auspicious.

Items required for Dhanteras pooja: Dhanteras puja requires, A big size diya or deepak, wicks for diya, ghee or oil, flowers, water in panchpatra with a spoon, holy books, chandan, turmeric and kumkum, roli and chawal, dhoop sticks, Kheel and batasha, some money and delicacies to offer (naivedya).

The Procedure : * Get ready with fresh clothes and prepare your consciousness before doing the puja. Place the deities and 4 wick deepak on the pata.

* Decorate the deities with flowers. Put oil and ghee in diya and lit it on the auspicious time. This deepak is referred as Yamadeep. Take some water from the panchpatra and sprinkle around the deepak. This is the main task inDhanteras puja.

* Read auspicious mantras and invoke auspiciousness of the occasion. Offer haldi, kumkum, chandan to the deepak. Apply roli and chawal to every person who sits for the puja.

* Lit dhoop sticks and offer the incense all around. Offer at least 4 suhali and pethas to the deities.

* Perform aarti with loud applauds of Sri Ganesha, Sri Dhanvantri and Shri Lakshmi. Read some of the important mantras and sthotraas.

* Offer naivedya and money. Pray sincerely for health, wealth and happiness of family and everyone on Dhanteras Day. Take the remnants of offerings as prasadam.

* After this all family members should offer pranam or respects to elders people and forefathers.

* People believe strongly that they live happy and healthy life if they strictly follow Dhanteras Puja Vidhi every year. In this way Dhanteras puja and its Vidhi is so important.

Dipawali Utsav- Annakut Puja

Diwali is one of the most important festivals in Hindu culture. Dipawali Utsav is also known as Dipawali Annakut Utsav. According to the Hindu calender, Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the New Year and Annukut puja is done a day after Diwali.As this festival breaks the feel of daily routine activities, adds the enthusiasm, happy with spiritual and moral values. Hence, it is called as Diwali Utsav.

Significance of Dipawali Annakut Utsav In Deepawali Annukut Utsav people cook 56 different varities of foods and offer it to Lord krishna. Annakut means a huge mountain of food which consists of fruits, pickles, salads, cereals, vegetables and pulses. This together is offered to the Gods and then distributed as prasada among all the devotees. This puja in India is popularily known as Govardhan puja. This puja depicits the lifting of the Govardhan mountain by Lord Krishna.

There is a legendary story that relates to an incident after which Annakut utsav started being celebrated. In this, before the birth of Krishna, Lord Indra (god of rain) was worshiped by people. After krishna came into existence he instigated people to start worshiping him instead of Indra.

Indra got angry and in his fury he brought down a heavy pour of rain and flooded the place for many days. People were scared and seeing this disaster thought that they should continued to worship Indra. Krishna then assured the people that he would protect them from all harm. He lifted a Govardhan mountain on his little finger and protected people and animals from the rain. Thats when Indra understood that krishna was much superior that him and since then Kirshna is known as Govardhanari.People believe that lord krishna comes to clear the problems of people that they are facing in life. People invite lord krishna in to ther homes by doing Annukut Pooja.

In temples at Nathadwar and Mathura, the idols are given bath with milk and then dressed in shining clothes. The idols are then decorated with lots of ornaments. After this, prayers are done, sweets and food is offered in the form of bhog. The bhog is then distributed among devotees and other people.Its a kind of pure spiritual shining for the people on the occasion of Diwali Utsav. Annukut puja is done to lead problems free life of people.

Lakshmi Pooja Vidhi

Lakshmi Pooja is the main event of the five-day festival Diwali. The pooja is observed on the third day of the festival of Diwali which falls on the dark night of amavasya. Lakshmi pooja 2009 is celebrated on 17th October 2009. Lakshmi Pooja Vidhi or Procedure:
Primary thing before starting Lakshmi pooja is neatness and cleanliness. It is said that Lakshmi resides in the places which are clean and tidy. So the first step for the pooja is to make your home and pooja room neat and clean. It is equally important for you to be neat and clean and don new, fresh clothes.

Draw some rangoli designs for the decoration in the frontyard. Rangolies not only make the event grand but also welcome Goddess Lakshmi into your home.

Take a red colour cloth and spread it at the sanctified puja place. On the cloth place the Deities or laminations of Lakshmi Narayana, Ganesha and Saraswati. On the side of cloth spread 9 mounds of rice and keep suparis on the top of the rice mounds which indicate nine planets or Navagraha devatas.

Kalasha Stapana:Place a pot filled with water or rice in front of Deities and adorn with betel leaves. Keep a
coconut on the top of the filled pot. Dress the pot with red cloth and tie it around the pot. Mark Swastik on the pot that represents prosperity and purity. This pot is called Kalash or Purna Kumbh and it represents the Universal power or Supreme Deity.

Decorate the Deities with flowers, fruits and turmeric-vermillion powder. Place Diwali thali before the Deities. This thali should contain few golen or silver or simply rupee coins. These coins are meant as representation of Goddess Lakshmi.

Now start the puja by taking water on your left hand and sprinkle on head to purify yourself. Take sankalpa by calling out your and your familys name. Request that this pooja is to please Goddess Lakshmi and Narayana. Lit ghee lamps and offer incense.

Ganesh Pooja:Do Ganesh puja now. Offer some flowers and akshata to Ganesh idol and place supari. Meditate
on Lord Ganesh and chant Ganesh sloka or offer prayer to Lord Ganesha to alleviate all hurdles in the path of devotion to Lakshmi and Narayana. Similarly pray to Goddess Saraswati to give proper intelligence to worship Lordships with attention and devotion.

Do Kalash puja by offering akshata, sweets and fruits. Follow the same puja procedure for Navagrahas. Sprinkle water towards 4 directions which represent purification of 4 dishas of the Universe.

Lakshmi Narayana Abhishekam:Now concentrate on Lakshmi and Narayana. Perform Panchmitra

abhishekam to the Deities of Lakshmi and Narayana. Panchmitra is the mixture of 5 liquids: ghee, milk, sugar, honey and curd. Perform milk bath to silver and gold coins. Wash them with water and apply gulal and flowers. Break the coconut and offer sweet recipe to the Deities. Chant Lakshmi mantra or sloka or stotra and offer prayers to welcome Her in your home. Reciting stotras of Lakshmi Ashtottaram or Lakshmi Shatanamavali will be beneficial.

Now pray to Narayana. It is said that unless Narayana is pleased Lakshmi cannot stay in that home. Lakshmi is also called Chanchala or restless. She remains stable at the place where Her husband Narayana remains stable. So pray heartfully to Lord Narayana to bless with devotion and purity to retain Lakshmi in hearts and homes.

Aarti:Next is the time for Aarti. Light the diya or camphor for Aarti. Ring the bell and sing the Aarti from the book of
Lakshmi ji ki Aarti. Similarly perform Aarti to Narayana by singing Jai Jagadeesh Hare.

After performing the Aarti keep Thali at a safe place. Recite Kshama Prarthana Stotram to ask forgiveness for any mistake that you might have done unknowingly during the pooja procedure.

Leave the place for some time. After that take the Aarti, panchmitra, coconut and prasad.

Diwali Traditions
What are the Traditions Associated with Diwali?

As you know, Diwali is a five-day long festival, where each day is dedicated to the worship of one deity. So, each day has its own significance in terms of the legends surrounding this festival. But since it is a religious festival, there are many pujas performed during these five days, which are as follows:

Lakshmi Puja:

This puja is performed on the third day of Diwali because on this day the goddess surfaced from the churning of the waters or samudra manthan. The goddess of wealth, Laxmi, is the most important of all deities worshipped at this time, particularly for the trading and business communities for whom this is the new business year. For everyone else, it is time to take stock of the year just gone by and to pray for better luck and opportunities for prosperity in the coming year. Lakshmi puja is usually performed after sunset where five earthen lamps are lit in front of the idols and sweets are offered to the goddess.

Kali Puja:

This puja marks the triumphs of good over evil and also celebrates the end of Goddess Kalis ire and saving the world from disaster. This goddess is one of the 10 avatars of Goddess Durga and is also called Siddikali, Mahakali or Bhadrakali. Kali Puja is usually performed at midnight on a new moon and is also called Shyama Kali Puja. This puja aims to purify us of our egos and to rid ourselves of any evil in our hearts. For the Bengalis, this is a very important religious puja in the entire year.

Padwa and Govardhan Puja:

Padwa is also referred to as Gudi Padwa or Karthik Shudd Padwa, and falls on the day after the new moon. On this day, King Bali emerged from the underworld to rule the kingdom of Bhulok. In his memory, the day has been titled Bali Padyami. The day is a celebration of the love between husband and wife. Parents of newlyweds invite the young couple to take part in a specially arranged feast. Later, they exchange gifts.

This day is also celebrated by performing Govardhan Puja in honor of Lord Krishna who saved the people of Gokul from the wrath of Goddess Indra. Each year, these people held a post harvest festival, but in a particular year, they did not, under Lord Krishnas instructions. To punish them, she threatened to drown them in rain, but Lord Krishna averted the disaster by lifting Mount Govardhan and holding it aloft to prevent it from the promised rain. For this heroic feat, Govardhan puja is performed.

Bhai Duj Puja:

The last day of Diwali celebrations is devoted to celebrating sisters. It is known variously as Bhaiyya Duj, Bhav Bhij and Bhai-Tika. Legend has it that on this day Lord Yama, the god of death, visited his sister Yamuna or Yami and granted her a boon that whoever visited her on that day would be absolved from all sins and would attain freedom

from the earthly cycle of birth and rebirth. Yami greeted Yama and blessed him by applying a tilak on his brow-a practice that continues even today. This day is also called as Yama-Dwitya.

Ganesh puja:

This puja is performed first as this god is worshipped for auspicious beginnings and freedom from problems. Traditionally, Ganesh and Lakshmi puja are performed together at Diwali.

Diwali rituals:

One unique ritual performed on the eve of Diwali is gambling. According to legend, Goddess Parvati was gambling with her husband Lord Shiva on this day. Since she enjoyed herself so much at it that she said that whoever gambles on the eve of Diwali would be prosperous right through the year.

Puja thali for Diwali:

A Puja thali is a tray of offerings to be made to the god or goddess one prays to. It comprises a small kalash or pitcher, a little bell, a silver coin, and anything else you might like to add such as tiny idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha.

These rituals and legends make celebrating Diwali more meaningful and relevant in a modern world.

Diwali Festival
How is Diwali Celebrated?

If Diwalis in the air, there is bound to be so much to do, so much to buy and so many friends to invite.

Diwali-the festival of lights:

Diwali is celebrated by people of Indian origin not just in India and its neighboring countries, but in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia too. Wherever it is celebrated, its essence is never lost. In fact, all over the world, Diwali means Lakshmi pooja, sweets, crackers, diyas, rangoli and gifts.

The night before Diwali, it is believed, must be spent in playing cards and gambling, as this brings on your money luck in the coming year. In addition, everyone exchanges gifts and wears new clothes.

Celebrating Diwali

These days, Diwali is celebrated as a social occasion where the family prays together, meets friends and relatives and distributes sweets. In the northern part of India, Diwali festival is celebrated over four days. Dhanteras is the day when people buy gold or silver ornaments as a sign of prosperity in the coming year. It also means a lot to the business community.

While decorating ones home for Diwali, the first place to decorate is the threshold of the house. Heres where the womenfolk of the house design and decorate with vivid colors of rangoli or intricate patterns, sometimes floral, geometrical or scenes from mythology. They are usually circular in shape, and sometimes have geometric patterns in the shape of a lotus. Materials used are conch shell, footprints, swastik and birds, and more traditionally, white powder or rice flour.

At the entrance of the house diyas are kept burning to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and garlands of marigold are strung across the doorway. Diyas or lamps are kept burning all night, often replenishing with oil.

In the evening, Lakshmi Puja is performed to worship the Goddess. But in south India, Diwali begins in the early hours of the morning with a bath with scented sandalwood paste. People wear new clothes and burst crackers at dawn. Later, they appease cattle who are considered an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.

For children, it is a day of great celebration and receiving of gifts, apart from the delicious Diwali goodies to eat and firecrackers to burst.

At night, Diwali diyas cast a beautiful spell on homes all over cities and villages-it seems like endless queues of fireflies! The night is rife with firecrackers painting pretty and colorful pictures in the sky -indeed these pyrotechnics never fail to amaze anyone at any age.

These days, the mud diyas have given place to artistically designed diyas, often embellished with mirrors and zari and filled with colored wax.

Diwali Rituals and Puja

What are the Rituals Associated With the Festival?

Diwali also known as the festival of lights is a major festival for the Hindus and is celebrated with a great deal of enthusiasm all over India. Diwali celebrations last for five days with each day marked by distinctive rituals and pujas.

The first day of Diwali known as Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The word Dhan implies wealth and hence this day is of immense significance for the wealthy business class of Western India.

Rituals on opening day As part of the ritual associated with the day, houses as well as business establishments are refurbished and decorated. Intricate traditional motifs of Rangoli designs adorn the doorways to hail the arrival of Lakshmi, the goddess of opulence and prosperity. To signify her long-anticipated arrival, miniature footprints are represented with rice flour and vermilion powder in all parts of the household. Lamps are lit and are made to burn throughout the nights. Women consider the day to be propitious and buy some gold or silver and even if they are not in a position to buy expensive ornaments they make it a point buy new utensils.

Puja Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in the evenings and small clay diyas are lit to dispel the evil forces. Bhajans or religious songs glorifying goddess Laxmi are sung and Naivedya of conventional sweets is offered to the goddess.

The second day of Diwali is known as Narak-Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali. The day commemorates the triumph of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura, also known as the demon of filth. After vanquishing Narakasura Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the blood of the slain demon. Krishna returned home early in the morning and the women folk massaged scented oil on his body and gave him a bath to clean his body of filth. Since then the ritual of taking bath before sunrise has become common in India particularly in Maharastra. In South India the triumph of the divine over the ordinary is commemorated in a very unique manner. People get up before sunrise and make blood by mixing Kumkum in oil and after smashing a bitter fruit that is symbolic of the head of the demon King that was battered by Krishna, smear that mixture on their foreheads. After this they take an oil bath using sandalwood paste.

On the third day of Diwali which falls on the dark new moon night the doorways to all homes are lit and adorned with rangoli designs to greet goddess Lakhmi, the embodiment of wealth and opulence.

On this day Lakshmi Puja is performed. Diwali is the concluding day of financial year in conventional Hindu business and merchants perform Chopda Pujan on this day on the fresh books of accounts. The day concludes with a grand display of fireworks.

The fourth day of Diwali is known as the New Year day or Bestavarsh. The day subsequent to Lakshmi Puja, the majority of families commemorate the New Year by donning new clothes and by wearing jewellery. They pay visits to family members and business colleagues and offer them sweets, dry fruits as well as gifts. For the business communities in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Diwali marks the commencement of a new business year. Every business house and family performs muharat pujan or worship of their books of accounts.

The fifth day of Diwali is referred to as Bhai Dhooj. On this day brothers pay a visit to the houses of their sister to celebrate Bhaiyaduj. On Bhai Dooj, sisters apply a mark on the forehead of their brothers to ensure their safety and long life.

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Significance of Diwali in Jainism

What is the Significant of Diwali for Jains?

Although Diwali is a major Hindu festival in India, it has special significance for the Jains. On this day, Sraman Bhagwan Mahavir achieved Nirvana (enlightenment). Jains observe Diwali in a manner that is vastly different from the way in which it is celebrated by the Hindus. Austerity which is associated with every Jain custom is also a prominent feature of their Diwali celebrations.

How do the Jains celebrate Diwali? On Dhan Terash or the first day of Diwali, the Jain business communities perform a ceremony related to Dhan or money and begin their books of accounts afresh. They temporarily stop all business transactions subsequent to this Puja for eight days.

On Kali Chaudash the majority of Jains undertake fasting for two days in succession, and this practice is also followed by women. They sit and perform Jaap, which is the counting of rosary, at night. Some devotes listen to Diwaleekalp or sacred Jain discourses. Some Jain devotees practice Paushadh or behave in a manner similar to a monk for two days.

On Amavasya Day people visit Jain temples and exchange greetings with each other. They dole out clothes, give aid and at night perform Jaap. The Jaap hymn is MAHAVIRSWAMI PARGATAY NAMAH. The Jain New Year

The Jain New Year day which comes a day after Diwali, is also called greeting day. People exchange greetings with each other and convey their best wishes for the ensuing year. After midnight, people perform Jaap chanting GAUTAMSWAMI KEVAL GNYAYA NAMAH.

On the second day of the New Year, Jains take out grand processions with the idol of Lord Mahavir. The day is also referred to as Bhai Beej.

On the third day of New Year it is a customary for the Jains to adorn Jain temples and Jain idols with flowers. On the fourth day of the New Year, people belonging to the Jain sect visit temples and worship their gods in accordance with their customs and beliefs. The fifth day of New Year is also known as Gyan Panchami or Shrut Panchmi. People belonging to the Jain sect worship Gyan with dissimilar materials, sweets as well as fruits. With a view to attaining pure knowledge, Jap or the counting of rosary is performed by them.

Diwali devoid of firecrackers

Hence Diwali for the Jains is somewhat dissimilar from the one performed by the Hindus. Jains do not indulge in the practice of exploding firecrackers. They do not consider it fit to indulge in wasteful spending on Diwali festival. They are of the opinion that charity and donations are more important in comparison to the bursting of crackers which according to them is a complete wastage of wealth and can be put to good use for the benefit of mankind. Like the Hindus, Jains too renovate and repaint their houses to welcome the festivities associated with Diwali but they refrain from wasteful spending. Jains commemorate Diwali by indulging in fast, worshipping the Tirthanakaras images, adorning the Jain temples, and performing Jaaps or chanting of hymns in praise of Lord Mahavira.

Diwali for Jains

Diwali for Jains

Diwali is an important Hindu festival although it is observed by the Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists as well. Referred to as the festival of lights, Diwali marks the triumph of good over evil, and the lighting up of lamps is a custom thatstands for celebration and optimism for mankind. Lights and lamps, specifically conventional diyas are an important aspect of Diwali celebrations. Fireworks are connected with the festival almost in every region of India.

Diwali is of great significance in Jainism since on this day Lord Mahavira, the last of the jain Tirthankaras, achieved nirvana at Pavapuri. As per Jain custom, the principal follower of Mahavira, Ganadhar Gautam Swami, as well achieved absolute wisdom on this same day.

Diwali is originally stated in Jain books as the date of the nirvana of Lord Mahavira. The earliest use of the word Diwalior Dipavali appears in Harivamsha Purana composed by Acharya Jinasena, written in Shaka Samvat 705.

How is Jain Diwali Different from Hindu Diwali?

The manner in which Jains commemorate Diwali differs in several ways from the one celebrated by the Hindus. There is an element of plainness in whatever the Jains do, and the festival of Diwali is different. The Jains observe Diwali in the month of Kartik for three days and all through this period Jains indulge in fasting and recite the Uttaradhyayan Sutra, in which the final pravachans of Lord Mahavira, are present. They reflect upon his teachings. The Jain year commences with pratipada subsequent to Diwali. Jain businessmen conventionally launch their accounting year from Diwali. Diwali illuminates the temple of heart and reveals the horizon of inner heart. It is Diwali which drenches all living beings with love. Diwali has been observed for fairly a great period of time. But Jains observe it since it marks the Nirvana Kalyanaka of Lord Mahavir.

Gautam Swami, the principal Ganadhar, had performed the actual worship of Lord Mahavir. He obtained the Omniscience or the definitive wisdom after the Nirvana of Lord Mahavir. In Mahavir Swamis absence, he grieved to such an extent that his soul became liberated from all the bondages of Karmas. This day is regarded as the New Year Day in a worldly sense. It can also be described as the new beginning in ones life.

This festival is observed on the ultimate day of the month of Ashwin. The first day of the month of Kartik, or the subsequent day after Diwali is referred to as the New Year Day.

On the day of the Niravana Kalyanaka of Lord Mahavir, the Jap or chant of Shri Mahavir Swami Sarvgnaya Namh is performed at night and at midnight the Jap or chant of Shri Mahavir Swami Parangataya Namh is performed by the people belonging to the Jain sect. Early in the morning of the New Year Day, the Jap or chant of 20 Navakarvalis or string with beads is performed. The verse is Shri Gautam Swami Sarvgnaya Namh.

The ceremony and meditation should be performed with utmost dedication in order to eliminate the difficulties of life and finally help the soul to attain Moksha.

Jain Diwali Celebration and Customs

Diwali Customs and Celebrations in Jainism

Diwali is an extremely significant event for the Jains since on this particular day of Kartika Krishna 14 or the dawn of the amavasya at the time of the swati nakshatra, Lord Mahavira experienced Nirvana- a condition of total happiness.The Lord rejected the body and the burden of all Karmas on that night, at Pavapuri and achieved Mukti or liberation.

Why is Diwali considered the festival of lights? Diwali is referred to as the festival of lights. It is stated in Kalpasutra that the King Chetaka of Vaishali together with other kings who were his friends lighted multitude of lamps thinking that, since the light of intelligence in the form of Mahavira was no more, it would be a great idea to make an illumination from the material matter.

There is one more belief as to why the festival is referred to as the festival of lights. Early in the morning subsequent to the day of Diwali, Ganadhar Gautam Swami, the foremost follower of Lord Mahavir achieved total enlightenment. This could be a more likely cause for observing Diwali as the festivals of lights.

A Jain Custom

Perhaps the word Diwali or Dipavali was initially mentioned by Acharya Jinasena in his Harivamsha-Purana on Kartika Krishna 14, or daybreak of the amavasya at the time of the swati nakshatra. It was created in Shaka Samvat 705. Consequently people in India every year observe Diwali, to reverentially adore the Jinendra on the occasion of his Nirvana. Diwali is not stated in Valmikis Ramayana, Mahabharata, Brahminical Puranas or in Tulsidass Ram-charit-manas. So, it is quite likely that Diwali is primarily a Jain custom, which was adopted by the Hindus and observed by them according to their religious beliefs and customs. Diwali is celebrated by the Jains in admiration of Jain deities and the final deliverance of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Teerthankar, from the rotation of life. At 72, he died on this day at Pawapuri in Bihar.

The fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kartik together with the full-moon day and the opening day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in Kartik are the three days observed by the Jains with Paushadh, fasting, exclusive repetition of sacred hymns, and meditation. Jains undertake fast on these three days and listen to the Uttaradhyayan Sutra which has the final preaching of Lord Mahavir.

The entire Diwali night is spent by the pious Jains in reciting the holy hymns and in meditation on Shraman Bhagwan Mahavir. Early in the morning on the first day of the New Year, Ganadhar Gautam Swami, the foremost follower of Lord Mahavir achieved complete enlightenment. The Jains start the New Year with the adoration of Lord Gautam Swami; and listen with dedication to the nine Stotras sacred hymns and also listen to the holy Rasa or epical poem of Gautam Swami from their Guru Maharaj.

On this day, Jains worship Mahavira at midnight and early on the subsequent morning. Holy scriptures are recited and houses are magnificently decorated with lamps and lights. The festival is commemorated with great enthusiasm in Girnar, in Gujarat. Followers of Jainism from all over India congregate at Pawapuri where sweets are distributed.

Diwali in Jainism
Diwali in Jainism

Diwali is a major Indian festival of the Hindus but Sikhs and Jains also celebrate the occasion according to their custom and religious beliefs. It is also one of the most keenly anticipated events in the Indian subcontinent. Business men together with business houses, regard it as a chance to improve their sales and augment profits, while individuals utilize the chance to rejoice life and fortify relationships. For children, it is an occasion to undergo the pleasures of growing up in the midst of fire crackers. Diwali takes place in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja, also referred to as Ashwin or Aippasi in accordance with the lunar calendar and coincides approximately with either October or November based on the progress of the sun and the moon and their comparative locations in space and time.

It is thought that the earliest scriptural mention of Diwali is present in the Jain scripture Harivamsha Purana, by Acharya Jinasena. None of the major Hindu scriptures state the festival specifically. This has given rise to thespeculation that, Diwali was initially a Jain festival and afterwards embraced by Hindus as a festival of their own.

Nirvana

Lord Mahavira, the final Jain Thirthankaras, is believed to have achieved Nirvana on this day at Pavapuri. According to Jain folklore, the first disciple of Mahavira, Ganadhar Gautam Swami, also achieved total knowledge on this very day. This makes Diwali a truly exceptional event for the Jains to commemorate. The manner in which Jains observe Diwali is different in several ways to the manner in which Diwali is celebrated by the Hindus. There is a suggestion of severity in what ever the Jains do and the festival of Diwali is no different in any way.

The Jains observe Diwali during the month of Kartik for a period of three days. During this phase, committed Jains indulge in fasting and recite the Uttaradhyayan Sutra which has the last pravachans of Lord Mahavira and think upon him. Diwali or Deepawali is the most significant festival in India. For the Jains, it is second in importance after the Paryusana Parva. For Jains Diwali commemorates the anniversary of Mahavirs moksha. Mahavir achieved moksha on this day in 527 B.C. The Diwali celebration commences early in the morning of the preceding day, for it was at that time that Mahavira began his final discourse which continued till late in the night of Diwali. It is said that the eighteen kings of north India who were part of his audience concluded that the light of their masters knowledge ought to be sustained symbolically by the lighting of the lamps. For this reason it is known as Dipawali since dipa means lamp, or Diwali.

On the day of the Niravana Kalyanaka of Lord Mahavir, the Jap or chanting of Shri Mahavir Swami Sarvgnaya Namh is performed at night and at midnight the Jap of Shri Mahavir Swami Parangataya Namh is performed by the people belonging to the Jain faith.

Dev Diwali , Indian Festival

Dev Diwali is celebrated by the Jains in honour of the final liberation or death of Mahavira. It is said that Acharya Jinasena finds the first scriptural reference to Diwali in the Jain scripture, Harivamsha Purana. None of the principal Hindu scriptures mention the festival in particular. This has made some people to believe, that Diwali was originally a Jain festival and later adopted by Hindus as a festival of their own. The full moon day in Kartik, the first month of the Indian calendar, brings in the festival of Dev Diwali and this day is also known as Tripurari Purnima. Jains celebrate Dev Diwali in honour of the final liberation or death of Mahavira. At the age of seventy-two, Mahavira passed into the `Supreme State` (nirvana) in the city of Pavapuri (Patna) in Bihar. For six days, the Tirthankara preached continuously on the Jain way of life and righteous living and when on the sixth night the audience fell asleep, Mahavira passed into the `Supreme State`. When the people woke up the following morning, they saw his mortal remains. The leader of the congregation then announced that since the light of the world had gone out, they should light the city and the people illuminated the city of Pavapuri with lamps. Deva Diwali is still celebrated in memory of that day. Since Mahavira died at night, he is worshipped by the Jains at midnight and in the early morning hours, when the Agams (Jain holy books) are read and homes and temples are illuminated. Lamps are lit under the moonlight sky and a family celebrates this day by feasting. Thousands of Jain pilgrims from all over India visit the sacred Mount Girnar in Gujarat. Special celebrations are held on this day. According to Jain legends, the first disciple of Mahavira, Ganadhar Gautam Swami, also attained complete knowledge on this very day. Thus, Diwali is a really special occasion for the Jains. The Jains celebrate Diwali in a different way. 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, devoted Jains observe fasting and chant the Uttaradhyayan Sutra, which contain the final pravachans of Lord Mahavira and meditate upon him. This day signifies the return of God after spending Chaturmas (The "Chaturmas" begins on the Ekadashi in the month of Ashadha and ends with the Ekadashi in the month of Kartik) with King Bali. Devas celebrated his arrival with great joy and thus Dev Diwali came into being. One more story behind the celebrations of Bhai-Duj is that when Bhagwan Mahavir attained `Nirvana`, his brother Raja Nandi-Vardhan became very sad. Then, it was his sister Sudarshana, who comforted him. Since then, women have been revered during this festival. This day helps to strengthen the ties between brothers and sisters.