Shina Utavani

Diwali is celebrated as 5 following days:Day 1: DhanterasIt is the beginning of the Diwali Festival. The day is known as ‘Dhanteras’. People around the country consider this day very auspicious and religious. ‘Dhan’ means ‘wealth’ and ‘teras’ means ‘the 13th day of lunar cycle’. People worship Goddess Laxmi or Lord Ganesha on this day. They are worshipped for wealth, prosperity and well-being. Buying Gold or silver is considered auspicious and people usually do buy these elements as a sign of good omen.Story Behind Dhanteras:There was a king named Heema. He had a young son and he was destined to be dead by a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage. When he got married, his wife kept him awake on the fourth day in order to save his husband’s life. She prepared a large heap of gold and silver coins. She lit diyas and lamps. She also sang prayers in her soulful voice to keep her husband awake. When Yama, the god of death, appeared and his eyes were glorified by the light of lamps and shine of ornaments. He could not see anything and hence he had to return. Thus, the clever wife was successful in saving his husband’s life.Thus, from that day, it is celebrated with lights and candles and people buy gold and silver and worship it to pay the tribute. 2. Kali ChaudasThe second day of the Diwali week is called Kali Chaudas. It is also known as NarakChaturdasi. The day is allotted to worship Mahakali or Shakti. It is believed that on this day Kali killed the most dangerous demon Narakasura. This day is to abolish Laziness and evil in our life. By killing the demon, the world was freed from the fear. It is believed that one should not light diyas or step out on this day and rather stay at home and relax. 3. DiwaliFinally, the third day of the week is celebrated as Diwali. It is the celebration of light over darkness. It holds the meaning that light dispels the darkness of ignorance. The sole purpose of firecrackers and lights is to glorify the light of God. On this day, people clean their houses, light diyas, wear new clothes and worship Goddess Laxmi. The Goddess is worshipped for wealth and prosperity. Lakshmi puja is the most important of all rituals.Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama from his fourteen year-long exile after defeating the demon king Ravana. The return of Lord Ram was celebrated by lighting diyas and decorations in the city of Ayodhya. People cleaned their houses and lit up diyas in order to celebrate the return of Lord Rama. From that day, people celebrate Diwali. 4. New Year The fourth day of the week is celebrated differently in different parts of the country. In the western states of India like Gujarat, this day is celebrated as Bestu-Varsh, the New year as per their calendar. The day is celebrated with great pomp and joy.In northern states, this day is celebrated as Govardhan Pooja and Vishwakarma Day, when people worship their arms, instruments, and machinery. This day is also called Annakut. 5. Bhai DoojThe fifth and the last day of the week is celebrated as Bhai Dooj. This day signifies the relationship between brothers and sisters. The sisters pray to God for a long and prosperous life of their brothers. On this day, sisters request their brothers to come to their home for celebrating Bhai Dooj. The sister makes delicious food for her brother. It is just like Raksha Bandhan.&nbsp;

This is a story of bhai Dooj, dhanteras, Diwali, Kali chaudas, Laxmi, Ram and Ravan.

Diwali

The festival of Durga Pooja is observed usually in the months of September or October.&nbsp; God in the form of a divine mother is worshipped in various forms such as Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. The Goddess is one but is worshipped and represented in three different forms. It is a multi-day festival in which temples are decorated. It also features performance arts and processions. On the first three days, Durga is worshipped, then goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the next three days and on the last three days, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami. It symbolises the victory of Goddesses over the demon king buffalo. The festival is majorly celebrated by people living in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and Odisha. It is celebrated in the honour of Goddess Durga. The primary Goddess worshipped is Durga. In Bengali tradition, the other deities next to Durga’s side- Ganesha and Kartikeya are considered to be Durga’s (Parvati) children. On the tenth day, processions with musical drum beats and chants are carried out along with clay statues of Durga. These statues are then immersed in the rivers as a goodbye to Durga and her return to divine Mount Kailash (Kailash Parbat). Goddess Durga represents the destruction of evil. The festival is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm. People make special dishes, decorate their houses, wear new clothes, follow rituals and worship Goddess Durga.

laxmi stories

Stories help in improving a child's imagination. Here are a few interesting ones for you to narrate to your child.

Diwali

Durga Pooja

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