Diwali is a five day festival in India. It begins with Dhanteras, followed by Kali Chaudas and Naraka Chaturdashi, and then the night of Diwali itself. Diwali or Deepavali is the Indian festival of lights. “Deepa” means light and “avali” means a continuous line. Diwali occurs just before the Indian New Year. Diwali 2015 will be celebrated on different days in various parts of the world, due to the phase of the Moon utilized to calculate holidays in Vedic astrology or Jyotish. According to mypanchang.com, Diwali 2015 falls on November 10 in North America and the West Indes. However, India and the rest of the world will celebrate Diwali 2015 on November 11.
As explained on mypanchang.com, the new Moon has to prevail for over 2 hours after sunset to celebrate Diwali and perform Lakshmi puja. This will only occur in North America on November 10.
Indian new year 2015 is on November 12 worldwide. This is the Gujarati and Marwadi New Year. Other parts of India celebrate the new year at different times of the year, according to their own traditions.
Diwali celebrates Lord Rama’s return back home after a 14 year period of exile. The residents of Ayodhya (I-yo-the-yah) celebrated his homecoming by lighting rows and rows of lights, or diyas, and waving sparklers. Rama symbolizes the path of righteousness or dharma. His return is a metaphor for the victory of good over evil. He performed his duty, stayed true to his path, and triumphantly returned home.
Indians celebrate Diwali by wearing colorful, new clothes and honoring the goddess Lakshmi (luck-shmee), the goddess of prosperity, fortune, and beauty. Their homes are brightly lit with clay diyas. Some also regard Diwali as the day on which Lakshmi and Vishnu were married. Homes are cleaned from top to bottom so that Lakshmi can grace the home with her presence. Pujas (ritual worship) to Lakshmi is traditionally performed on Diwali. People feast on a sumptuous variety of sweets made from ingredients such as jaggery, sugar, ghee (clarified butter), as well as cardamom, powdered cinnamon, and nuts. Mypanchang has listed the auspicious times for Lakshmi puja.
Shri Vivek Shatri of the Shri Krishna Yajurveda Pathashala had this to say about Diwali: The darkness of the demon is gone and there is light. Rama and Krishna are forms of Vishnu. For Lakshmi puja, we worship Lakshmi and Kubera. Kubera is the treasurer of the Vedic gods and goddesses. One of Vishnu’s names is Kubera. Kubera is the step brother of Ravana. His kingdom was Lanka. When Ravana became strong, he defeated Kubera. Afterwards, Kubera went North. In Vaastu Shatra, the Northern direction is associated with Kubera and prosperity. Kubera is the deity who owns gold, diamond, precious things. People should clean their homes for Diwali. For Lakshmi puja, they can worship money, jewelry, bank books, and credit cards. They can chant the Maha Lakshmi Stotram 15 times. There is also a small stotram for Vishnu called the Govinda Ashtakam.
The Shri Krishna Yajur Veda Pathashala will be performing Lakshmi puja for the new year. They will offer flowers and saffron and chant the Vishnu Sahasranam and Lalita Sahasranam. Traditionally, there is no havan (fire ceremony) for Lakshmi puja. The dakshina for the puja is $35. To have the puja performed on your behalf or to gift it to someone, please send an email to sohamvg@gmail.com.
Diwali marks the celebration of light over darkness, as Rama was victorious in defeating the demon Ravana prior to his return to Ayodhya. It is also a time when we can honor our own inner light and let it shine forth into the world.
Happy Diwali 2015! Shubh Deepavali!