Hindu Society of North Carolina

Author(s): Hindu Society of North Carolina
Publisher: Hindu Society of North Carolina

Page 74

72 Page
Hindu Festivals
Diwali, Holi and Raksha Bandhan
DEEPAVALI or DIWALI
This Diwali or Deepavali is a festival of lights (Deepa means light and Avali meaning a row). It is celebrated on Naraka chathurthasi day just on the dawn of Ammavaasa in the month of October or Novermber. We glow lamps to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity and Multi-colored Rangoli Diwali is celebrated for five days; First day is called DHANTERAS or DHANTRAYODASHI, SECOND day is called CHOTI DIWAL., The Third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of LAKSHMI -PUJA which is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi. This is the day when God Rama came back to Ayodhya with his brother Laxman and wife Sita, after spending 14 years in VANVAS'. In some part of India, people burn fire cracers in the evening, to celebrate Rama's return to the Ayodhaya. The FOURTH day is PADWA or VARSHAPRATIPADA which marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and VikaramSamvat was started from this Padwa day and the last and the FIFTH and final day of Diwali Festival is known by the name of "BHAYYA-DUJ".
Perform Laxmi Puja , put Deeps on your door and other places in your house . Lastly enjoy the fireworks
HOLI the festival of color
Festival of color or Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March each year. In Hindu Mythology, there was an arrogant king, who resents his son Prahlada for worshipping Lord Vishnu. He tries to kill his son but fails. Finally he requests his sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning, sits with the boy in a huge fire. But Prahlada emerges unscathed, while his aunt burns to death in this event. To commemorate it, we burn huge bonfires on the eve of Holi. It is also celebrated for good harvests and fertility of land. We put colors on each other on Holi.
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan or the 'bond of protection' is a festival the celebration of brother sister relationship. On this day we celebrate the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. This day both pray for each other's well being and wish for each others' happiness and goodwill. This day brother pledge to sister to protect her from all harms and troubles and sister pray from god to protect him from any evil. Sister put Rakhi on brothers' hand and gives him sweets. Brother also gives gifts to the sister.
Aarti for Brother
Give sweets to each other
Put Rakhi
Take blessings
900T toquomon
This article is from Manju Tiwari
HINDU SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA CELEBERATION AND APPRICIATION (1976-2006)