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

Pallavi Hota

The Ramayan is an ancient Sanskrit epic written by the famous sage Valmiki. It describes Lord Rama's effort to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. It also describes the challenges faced by Lord Rama, Laxaman, and Sita when they were exiled from the kingdom for 14 years. Following is a story from ìThe Ramayanaî.It is believed that before going for the battle with Rama, Ravana deposited his soul with a hermit called Fire-Eye. The hermit was supposed to guard Ravanaís soul and keep it safe until he came back for it. During the battle, Rama was surprised to see that none of the arrows that struck Ravana could harm him. The secret about Ravanaís soul was known to one of Ramaís allies, who transformed himself into Ravana and went to the hermit asking to return his soul. As soon the soul was set free, Rama killed the demon king Ravana.

The Story Of Ravana's Soul

The Ramayan is an ancient Sanskrit epic written by the famous sage Valmiki. It describes Lord Rama's effort to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. It also describes the challenges faced by Lord Rama, Laxaman, and Sita when they were exiled from the kingdom for 14 years. Following is a story from “The Ramayana”.Vibhishana was the younger brother of Ravana, the king of Lanka. He was always surrounded by people who hated Lord Ram. Though he was born into a family of demons, he held in his heart great love and respect for Lord Ram.Vibhishana used to warn Ravana to give up his evil ways, but Ravana would never listen to him. Ravana instead used to laugh at Vibhishana for being weak and submissive. But Vibhishana was never discouraged by Ravana’s words and always followed his noble path. Vibhishana even advised Ravana to return Sita to Lord Ram but he never listened to him.Eventually, Vibhishana’s righteousness was paid off when Ram defeated Ravana and made Vibhishan the King of Lanka. Moral:No matter how many detractors you have around you, always stick to the right path.

This is a story of Ram, Ravan and veebhishana.Moral(s) of the story: devotion

Vibhishana’s devotion

The Ramayan is an ancient Sanskrit epic written by the famous sage Valmiki. It describes Lord Rama's effort to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. It also describes the challenges faced by Lord Rama, Laxaman, and Sita when they were exiled from the kingdom for 14 years. Following is a story from ìThe Ramayana.Surpanakha was Ravana's sister, and it is believed that she instigated the battle between Rama and Ravana. There are different versions of the story of how Surpanakha was the reason behind the battle. According to Valmikis version, Surpanakha approached Rama with a marriage proposal, but he refused her proposal. She then turned to Laxman. Laxman too refused her proposal and baffled, she decided to harm Sita. On Ramaís order, Laxman chopped off Surpankhaís nose. Insulted and disheartened, she went to her brother Ravana who abducted Sita to seek revenge on Rama and Laxman.

This is a story of Ram, Ravan and Surpankha.

The Story of Surpanakha

The Ramayan is an ancient Sanskrit epic written by the famous sage Valmiki. It describes Lord Rama's effort to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. It also describes the challenges faced by Lord Rama, Laxaman, and Sita when they were exiled from the kingdom for 14 years. Following is a story from “The Ramayana”.Ravana, the king demon was the ruler of Lanka. He had ten heads and twenty arms. He had heard many stories about Ram’s wife, Sita’s beauty. He spied Sita in the forest and instantly fell in love with her. He decided to kidnap Sita and bring her to Lanka. He made a plan to abduct her and went to his uncle, Mareecha, a demon and asked for his help. Mareecha had the power to transform himself in any form and even change his voice. According to the plan, Mareecha transformed himself into a golden deer. Ravan went and hid near the hermitage where Sita was staying with ram and Lakshman.When Sita saw the beautiful deer, she was fascinated by its beauty and asked Ram to bring it for her. Ram had never seen a deer like him before. Laksham warned Ram that the deer might be a demon in disguise. But Sita was fascinated by the deer so, Ram went after the deer. Ram asked Laxman to stay with Sita and protect her. The deer ran deeper and deeper in the forest and Ram followed it. Finally, Ram aimed an arrow at the deer’s heart and shot it. When the arrow struck the deer, it transformed itself back into the Mareecha. Mareecha cried out to Laxman for help in Ram’s voice. When Sita heard Ram’s voice, she begged Laxman to go and see if Ram was in trouble.Laxman was in dilemma. On one hand, he promised Ram to stay with Sita and on the other hand, he was worried about his brother Ram. So, Laxman drew a line around the hut with his arrow and told Sita not to step out of the line. He then left to look out for Ram. Meanwhile, Ravana was hiding nearby and heard Laxman and Sita talking. Ravana quickly disguised himself into an old beggar. He begged Sita for food and water. Sita took pity on him and stepped out of the circle. The beggar man turned back into Ravana, catching Sita in his arms and pulling her into his magic flying chariot. Ravana forcefully dragged her into his flying chariot and took her away to Lanka.

This is a story of Laxman, Ram, Ravan and Sita.

Sita’s kidnapping

The Ramayan is an ancient Sanskrit epic written by the famous sage Valmiki. It describes Lord Rama's effort to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. It also describes the challenges faced by Lord Rama, Laxaman, and Sita when they were exiled from the kingdom for 14 years. Following is a story from ìThe Ramayana.Ravana had organised a yagna towards the end of the battle for his victory. The condition for the success of the yagna was that Ravana could not leave while the yagna was being performed. When Rama learnt about this yagna, he sent Angad along with a group of monkeys to distract Ravana, but all the efforts went in vain. Finally, Angad dragged Ravanaís wife Mandodari by her hair in front of him. Mandodari kept pleading Ravana for help, but he did not move. It was when Mandodari taunted Ravana by taking Rama and Sitaís example that Ravana got up from the yagna and was defeated and killed in the battle.

The Story Of Rama's Victory

The Ramayan is an ancient Sanskrit epic written by the famous sage Valmiki. It describes Lord Rama's effort to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. It also describes the challenges faced by Lord Rama, Laxaman, and Sita when they were exiled from the kingdom for 14 years. Following is a story from “The Ramayana”.Rishi Bhardwaj, a Vedic sage, was mesmerized by Vishrava, a rishi who belonged to the Pulastya clan, and offered his daughter Ilavida for marriage. Ilavida and Vishrava gave birth to Kuber, the Lord of Wealth. But Sumali, the son of demon king Sukesa and gandharva princess Manimaya, along with his wife Kutumati, also wanted Kaiseki, their daughter, to marry Vishrava. Vishrava fell in love with Kaiseki and gave birth to Ravana. Brahma asked the divine architect Vishwakarma to build Lanka for the Gods, but it was seized by the asuras. Kubera inherited Lanka from his father, Vishrava and was kind enough to share his kingdom with his step-brother Ravana. Later, after receiving all kinds of boons from Brahma, Ravana overthrew Kubera from Lanka.

This is a story of Kubera and Ravan.

Kubera, The Real Ruler Of Lanka

The Ramayan is an ancient Sanskrit epic written by the famous sage Valmiki. It describes Lord Rama's effort to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. It also describes the challenges faced by Lord Rama, Laxaman, and Sita when they were exiled from the kingdom for 14 years. Following is a story from ìThe Ramayanaî.Once on being instigated by Narada, Hanuman unknowingly insulted Vishwamitra. This happened when Hanuman greeted all the sages in Ramaís court but didnít greet Vishwamitra because he wasnít a saint by birth. Vishwamitra felt offended and ordered Rama to issue a death sentence for Hanuman. The death sentence was executed, but none of the arrows or even the brahmastra could harm Hanuman. This was because Hanuman kept chanting Ramaís name.

This is a story of Ram and Hanuman.

The Story Of Hanuman's Death Sentence By Rama

Dussehra is one of the major Hindu festivals which is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. This day observed the killing of demon king Ravana by Lord Ram.Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami. It is celebrated at the end of Navratri every year. The word Dussehra is derived from two Sanskrit words- ‘Dasha’ and ‘hara’ which means defeating the ten demons.The day also observes the end of Durga pooja. People remember the victory of goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasur. Durga is celebrated for nine days and the tenth day is dedicated to Durga as Vijaydashmi.On the day of Dussehra, huge effigies of Ravana are made and set on fire. The burning of Ravana signifies the victory of good. Plays of Ramleela are organised on this day to pay a tribute to Lord Rama. Moral:The festival signifies the victory of good over evil and teaches that truth always wins. It also teaches us to never be egoistic.

ravan stories

Kids moral stories help in improving their imagination & relate to real-world life. Here are age-specific bedtime stories for children by renowned storytellers.