Diwali Speech
Diwali Speech
Diwali Speech
The first day of Diwali is called Dhan Teras (Dhanvantari Triodas), and it marks the
official beginning of the Diwali festivities. This day has great significance in many parts of
India; people consider this as a very auspicious day and Muhurat. The thirteenth lunar day of
the Krishna Paksh (as per the Hindu Calendar), the dark fortnight of the month of Karthik,
Dhan Teras is a special day. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari is believed to have come out of
the ocean with Ayurveda, the science of medicine, for the benefit of mankind. A huge amount
of buying, specifically gold, silver and precious stones, ornaments, new clothes and utensils,
takes placeis done on this day. In the evening, children light crackers, and people also light
some earthen lamps outside their home. In some parts of India, like Gujarat, this day is
religiously held even more important than the actual Deepawali day, and people hold
Lakshmi, Kuber (the Hindu God of riches) and Ganesha Pooja on this day.
2nd Day
The second day of Diwali week is called the Kali Chaudas or Narak Chaturdasi. In some
parts of India, it is simply the Choti Diwali, the day before Diwali.
On this day Lord Krishna is known to have destroyed the demon Narakasur, freeing the world
from fear. On this day, it is believed that one should massage the body with oil to relieve it of
tiredness, bathe and rest, so that Diwali can be celebarated with vigour and devotion. It is also
believed that one should not light diyas or step out on this day, and rather stay at home and
relax. However, in modern times, on Choti Deepwali, people go to each other's homes to
wish 'a Happy and Prosperous Diwali' and also exchange gifts and sweets.
3rd Day
The third day of these festivities is the actual Diwali/ Deepawali, when Goddess Lakshmi is
worshipped, along with Lord Ganesha. People light diyas and candles in their homes, and the
streets all across India light up with millions of sparklers, crackers and fairy lights. After
worshipping MahaLakshmi in the evening with their families, people visit temples,
gurudwaras and even churches to light candles. They also exchange sweets as prasaad.
4th Day
The fourth day is celebrated in various forms all across India. In the Western states of India
like Gujarat this day is celebrated with great pomp and show as Bestu Baras, the New Year
as per their Calendar. In Northern states of India, this day is widely celebrated as Govardhan
Pooja and Vishwakarma Day, when people worship their instruments, arms and machinery.
Most or all business establishments, thus, remain closed on this day. This day is also called as
Annakut.
5th Day
The fifth day of Diwali festivities is celebrated as the Bhai Dooj or Bhai Beej or Bhai
Teeka/ Tilak or Bhai Fota (In Bengal). Brothers visit their sisters on this day, and the sisters
celebrate and prepare sweets specially in honour of their brothers, wishing a long, happy,
healthy life and great success for them.
Diwali or (Deepavali) is one of the India's biggest festivals. The word 'Diwali' means rows of lighted
lamps. It is a festival of lights and Hindus celebrate it with joy. During this festival, people light up
their houses and shops with Diyas (Small cup-shaped oil lamp made of baked clay). They worship the
Lord Ganesha for good welfare and prosperity and Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and wisdom.
Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its
name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize
the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the
Christmas holiday is to Christians.
Deepawali, Deepavali, or Diwali is the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It is
the festival of lights: deep means "light" and avali "a row" to become "a row of lights."
Diwali is marked by four days of celebration, which literally illuminates the country with its
brilliance and dazzles people with its joy.
The Diwali festival occurs in late October or early November. It falls on the 15th day of the
Hindu month of Kartik, so it varies every year. Each of the four days in the festival of Diwali
is marked with a different tradition. What remains constant is the celebration of life, its
enjoyment, and a sense of goodness.
Historically, Diwali can be traced back to ancient India. It most likely began as an important
harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali.
Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, with
Lord Vishnu. Others use it as a celebration of her birthday, as Lakshmi is said to have been
born on the new-moon day of Kartik.
In Bengal, the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of
strength. Lord Ganesha—the elephant-headed god and symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom
—is also worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day. In Jainism, Deepawali has the added
significance of marking the great event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss of
nirvana.
Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama (along with Ma Sita and Lakshman)
from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration
of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the capital of Rama, illuminated the
kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and set off firecrackers.
Each day of Diwali has its own tale to tell. The first day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi
marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.
Amavasya, the second day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi when she is in her
most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of
Lord Vishnu, who, in his dwarf incarnation, vanquished the tyrant Bali and banished him to
hell. Bali is allowed to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps and dispel
darkness and ignorance while spreading the radiance of love and wisdom.
It is on the third day of Deepawali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali steps out of hell and
rules the earth according to the boon given by Lord Vishnu. The fourth day is referred to as
Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their
homes.
Some people refer to Diwali as a five-day festival because they include the festival of
Dhanteras (dhan meaning "wealth" and teras meaning "13th"). This celebration of wealth and
prosperity occurs two days before the festival of lights.
The tradition of gambling on Diwali also has a legend behind it. It is believed that on this
day, Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva. She decreed that whosoever
gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuing year.
All of the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story behind them. Homes are
illuminated with lights, and firecrackers fill the skies as an expression of respect to the
heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, and prosperity.
According to one belief, the sound of firecrackers indicates the joy of the people living on
earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more
scientific basis: the fumes produced by the firecrackers kill or repel many insects, including
mosquitoes, which are plentiful after the rains.
Beyond the lights, gambling, and fun, Diwali is also a time to reflect on life and make
changes for the upcoming year. With that, there are a number of customs that revelers hold
dear each year.
Give and forgive. It is common practice that people forget and forgive the wrongs done by
others during Diwali. There is an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere.
Rise and shine. Waking up during the Brahmamuhurta (at 4 a.m., or 1 1/2 hours before
sunrise) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in
work, and spiritual advancement. The sages who instituted this Deepawali custom may have
hoped that their descendants would realize its benefits and make it a regular habit in their
lives.
Unite and unify. Diwali is a unifying event, and it can soften even the hardest of hearts. It is
a time when people mingle about in joy and embrace one another.
Those with keen inner spiritual ears will clearly hear the voice of the sages, "O children of
God unite, and love all." The vibrations produced by the greetings of love, which fill the
atmosphere, are powerful. When the heart has considerably hardened, only a continuous
celebration of Deepavali can rekindle the urgent need of turning away from the ruinous path
of hatred.
Prosper and progress. On this day, Hindu merchants in North India open their new account
books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. People buy new clothes
for the family. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees.
Homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated by night with earthen oil lamps.
The best and finest illuminations can be seen in Bombay and Amritsar. The famous Golden
Temple at Amritsar is lit in the evening with thousands of lamps.
This festival instills charity in the hearts of people, who perform good deeds. This includes
Govardhan Puja, a celebration by Vaishnavites on the fourth day of Diwali. On this day, they
feed the poor on an incredible scale.
Illuminate your inner self. The lights of Diwali also signify a time of inner illumination.
Hindus believe that the light of lights is the one that steadily shines in the chamber of the
heart. Sitting quietly and fixing the mind on this supreme light illuminates the soul. It is an
opportunity to cultivate and enjoy eternal bliss.
In each legend, myth, and story of Deepawali lies the significance of the victory of good over
evil. It is with each Deepawali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts that this
simple truth finds new reason and hope.
From darkness unto light—the light empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds and
brings us closer to divinity. During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India, and the
scent of incense sticks hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of firecrackers, joy,
togetherness, and hope.
Diwali is celebrated around the globe. Outside of India, it is more than a Hindu festival; it's a
celebration of South-Asian identities. If you are away from the sights and sounds of Diwali,
light a diya, sit quietly, shut your eyes, withdraw the senses, concentrate on this supreme
light, and illuminate the soul.