Id-e-Milad is an important Muslim festival celebrated on the birth anniversary of the Islamic prophet known as Muhammad on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal. He was born in the city of Mecca in Arabia. It is celebrated in the third month of the Islamic calendar. This day is also his death anniversary. It is also referred as Mawlid an-Nabi and Milad an-Nabi in Arabic. The word “Mawlid” is an Arabic word, which literally means to give birth or bear a child. The festival of Id-e-Milad popularly known as Barah Wafat, the twelfth day is one of the important festival in the Muslim calendar.
Prophet Mohammad, son of Abdul Muttalib, of the Qureysh tribe, was born at Mecca in 570AD. From about 610 AD, he began to receive revelations sent down from Allah through angel Gabriel. He spread the word among people, and soon had a small community of followers. Later Islam became one of the most popular religions of the world. In 632 AD, Prophet Muhammed went on a pilgrimage to Mecca followed by thousands of his devotees, where he preached his farewell sermon and later left the mortal world forever. The word ‘barah’ refers to the twelve days of the Prophet’s sickness. In 632 Muhammad fell ill and suffered for several days with head pain and weakness. He succumbed on Monday, in the city of Medina. He is buried in his tomb (which previously was in his wife Aisha’s house), which is housed within Mosque of the Prophet in Medina, is the second holiest mosque in Islam.
The celebration of Prophet’s birthday is believed to have its origins on the 8th century when the Prophet Muhammad’s birth house was converted into a house of prayer by Al-Khayzuran. Al-Khayzuran was the mother of a caliph, Harun-al-Rashid. The early celebrations have been influenced by the Sufi saints in Egypt with public orations followed by a feast. In the olden days this festival was first originally celebrated only by a group of people belonging to the ruling class Muslims known as Shia’s. In the following years to come the festival was spread to other Islamic cities and the festival was adopted by the Sunni’s in time. After 1910, it declared a national holiday in many Muslim countries. The day is marked by holding religious discourses, reading the Holy book of Quran and giving alms to the poor.
Gandhi Jayanti is a national festival celebrated in India to mark the occasion of the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who is unofficially called the “Father of the Nation“. It is celebrated on 2nd October. It is one of the four Public Holidays in India. The United Nations General Assembly announced on 15 June 2007 that it adopted a resolution which declared that 2 October will be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.
India organises cleanliness drives to promote ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan‘, a flagship mission of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to make people aware about the advantages of cleanliness as Mahatma Gandhi, in his lifetime, demonstrated, propagated and insisted for individual and community cleanliness. Following his footsteps, the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launched ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ on October 2, 2014 with a vision of achieving ‘Clean India’ by 2019.
Mahatma Gandhi, also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was born on October 2, 1869. He was a political and spiritual leader in India and played a key role in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi developed the novel technique of non-violent agitation, which he called “Satyagraha”. He is known for his non-violent civil disobedience in India and South Africa. These included the start of the non-cooperation movement in 1922 and the Salt Satyagraha or Dandi March starting on March 12, 1930. The nation mourned for him after he was assassinated on January 30, 1948.
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated all over the country and in both government and non-government organizations. Since it’s a national holiday all schools, colleges and offices all over the country remain closed.
Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti is the birth anniversary celebrations of a legendary Hindu king Agrasen Maharaj, a doer (a Karmyogi) who conjured prosperity for all. He was king of Agroha, and it was from him that Agrawal and Agrahari clans originated. Agrasen Jayanti is observed on the fourth day of Ashwin month of Hindu calendar.
Maharaja Agrasen, the king of Agroha, born to king Vallabh of Pratapnagar some 5182 years back. His concepts of kingdom and the duties of the king towards his subjects have evolved him as a centurial man. Equality, Nationalism, Socialism and Non-Violence were the principles which formed the backbone of his kingship. Maharaj Agrasen established the republican state of Agroha. Agroha consisted of 18 state units. The head of each state unit was given a Gotra. All the residents of that particular state unit were identified by that Gotra. It was maintained by Maharaja Agrasen that a nupital alliance could not take place in the same Gotra. This rule enunciated by Maharaja Agrasen promoted harmony and brotherhood among all the 18 Gotra represented by state units. This facilitated promotion of unity and nationalism among the state units. He promulgated that any person coming to Agroha to settle down permanently, shall be given one rupee, one brick, by each resident of Agroha.
He adopted the ideal of Non-Violence during the 18th Yagna, wherein he realised the futility of animal sacrifices. The Yagna was being performed for the establishment of the 18th Gotra. This realisation led him to become one of the strong protagonist of ‘Non-Violence’. He banned all animal sacrifices. But, his belief in nonviolence did not mean non-resistance to oppression, rather he promoted self defence.
The UP state Government has officially declared holiday on the occasion of Agrasen Jayanti in Uttar Pradesh. In North Indian state of Haryana, there is also a public holiday on Agrasen Jayanti. This day is a gazetted holiday in the state of Punjab also.
Maha Ashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami is one of the most Auspicious days of Durga Puja and Navratri Celebration. It is celebrated on 8th day of Navratri which falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Chaitra month according to Hindu Calendar. On Maha Ashtami nine small pots are installed and nine Shaktis of Durga are invoked in them. All nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja. Durga Ashtami is also known as Astra Puja as on this day, the weapons of Goddess Durga are worshipped.
Young unmarried girls, being treated as Goddess Durga itself, are also worshipped on Maha Ashtami. Worshipping of young girls during Durga Puja is known as Kumari Puja. In many regions Kumari Puja is done during all nine days of Durga Navratri.
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga is the mother of mankind and is believed to be the power behind the creation, preservation and destruction of the universe. The Hindu warrior Goddess Durga is typically portrayed as a beautiful woman with ten arms that bear divine weapons to protect each one of us. Her role in Indian mythology is very strong and powerful. She has been worshipped as the supreme power of the universe. She is a multi-dimensional Goddess, with many names and many persons. On the day of Durga Ashtami, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Maha Gauri, she is considered to be extremely beautiful. She represents calmness and exhibits Wisdom. Her power is unfailing and praying to her is instantly fruitful. The left upper hand holds a ‘Damru’ and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees. It is believed that Goddess Kali appeared on this day from the forehead of Durga Maa and annihilated Chanda, Munda and Raktabija who were the demons associated with Mahishasur.
The legendary Sandhi Puja is also falls on Maha Asthami. The time window, commenced in the last 24 minutes of Ashtami Tithi till the first 24 minutes of Navami Tithi is known as Sandhi Time or the holy juncture during Durga Puja. Sandhi time is considered the most auspicious time during whole Durga Puja. Sandhi Puja is the culmination point and the most important ritual of Durga Puja. It is customary to perform Balidan or animal sacrifice at this sacred juncture. Devotees who abstain from animal sacrifice perform symbolic Bali with vegetables like banana, cucumber or pumpkin. For Brahmins any type of animal sacrifice is prohibited by scriptures and Brahmin community does only symbolic Bali. Even the famous Belur Math in West Bengal does symbolic Bali with banana during Sandhi Puja. It is customary to light 108 earthen lamps during Sandhi Kaal.
Mahanavami is celebrated on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Navami, the ninth and the final day of Durga Navratri or Durga Puja. On Maha Navami Goddess Durga is worshipped as Mahisasuramardini which means the Annihilator of the Buffalo Demon. It is believed that on Maha Navami day goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura. On this day, the goddess Durga is worshipped in the form of Aparajita also, by offering her sugarcane stalks. Matangi Dasamahavidya too, is worshipped on Mahanavami as a part of Dasamahavidya pooja in Navratri. Mukteshwari is the Goddess to be worshipped on ninth day of Navratri as part of Saptamatrika and Ashtamatrika puja. Goddess Siddhidatri puja is performed on Mahanavami day, by the Navadurga Shakteya sampradaaya people.
The precise rule is that if Ashtami and Navami merge before Sanyakal on Ashtami Tithi then Ashtami Puja and Navami Puja including Sandhi Puja are done on the same day. Navami Homa is performed on Maha Navami and it is the significant ritual during Durga Puja.
In the northern part of India, Kanya Pujan is observed on this day. Their feet are washed, kumkumis applied on the forehead and given gifts and new clothes by the worshippers. While in Gujarat, Mahanavmi is celebrated with Garba and dandiya raas as other eight days of Navratri. In the east, Navami is of great significance in Bengal as it is the last day of Durga Puja. In the southern region of India, Suhasini Puja is performed. Married women, a symbol of Maha Shakti, are offered the Shodasopachara Puja. Followers of Dus Mahavidyas worship Matangi on this day and Maa Siddhidhatri is worshipped by Navdurga Sampradaya followers.
Vijayadashami or Dussehra is celebrated as victory of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana on the tenth day of Ashvin or Ashwayuja Shukla Paksha as per the Hindu lunar calendar which falls in the Gregorian months of September or October. It is also triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo Demon Mahishasura. Vijayadashami is also known as Dussehra or Dasara. In Nepal Dasara is celebrated as Dashain. Apart from India, Dussehra is also celebrated in Bangladesh. Malaysia has an official holiday to mark the religious festival. It is a festival of reverence of good and its power to subdue evil.
According to Hindu mythology it was the day when Lord Rama killed Ravana, the demon King of Lanka to rescue his beloved wife Sita, after cutting ten heads of Ravana, on the tenth day of the ensuing battle. Hence, to celebrate the day, colossal effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath, filled with crackers and surrounded by fireworks, are burnt to signify the end of evil. Besides this, play enactments of Ramayana, known as Ram Leela are also preformed across India preceding Dussehra. These plays are based on the epic Ramayana, which describes the life saga of Lord Rama. Ravan’s ten heads represents ten bad qualities of a person-
- Lust – Kam Vasana
- Anger – Krodh
- Attachment – Moh
- Greed – Lobh
- Over Pride – Mad
- Jealousy – Matsarya
- Selfishness – Swarth
- Injustice – Anyaay
- Cruelty – Amanavta
- Ego – Ahankar
The festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India in various ways. In Tamil Nadu, it is celebrated as Golu. The idols are set to create various settings that portray their culture and heritage. The story goes like since the goddess Durga needed tremendous power, all other gods and goddesses transferred their power to her and they all stood still as statues. Golu ends on Dusshera. In Northern parts of India like Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and western Bihar, it is a tradition to plant barley seeds in earthen pots on the first day of Navratri. On the day of Dusshera, the sprouts are used as symbols of luck. The festival also mark the change of the agriculture crops, farmers now harvest the Kharif crops and after Diwali starts with the Rabi crop. It marks the beginning of pleasant and cooler climate after the monsoon.
Dashami Tithi of Ashwin Shukla Paksha is celebrated as Sri Madhva Jayanti or Madhvacharya Jayanthi. Sri Madhvacharya (1238-1317 C.E.) was born on the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami (which is also known as Dussehra) in 1238 C.E. at Pajaka, a tiny hamlet near Udupi.
His father, Madhyageha Bhatta, was a pious brahmin belonging to Bhagavata Sampradaya and a pauranic by profession. He was happy and proud in no ordinary degree in his son whom he christened Vasudeva as Sri Madhvacharya was born at a late period in his father’s life after constant prayer. Sri Madhvacharya took sanyasa under Achutaprekshacharya in Udipi. Achutaprekshacharya was somewhat displeased with his new disciple as the philosophy of that school, current Adwaita school of thought, did not appeal to the new Sanyasi but he was very much impressed with the earnestness, and scholarship of his disciple whom he had named as Purnaprajna. Purnaprajna thereupon began to preach his own philosophy according to which the world is real, the individual souls are different from Brahman, and Vishnu is the Highest Entity in the universe. To propagate his faith, he undertook a pilgrimage to various shrines in South India and also utilized this opportunity for spreading his views on the basic texts of Vedanta. Immediately after he returned from the pilgrimage Purnaprajna wrote the commentary on Bhagavad Gita. The Gita Bhashya (commentary on the Gita ) is the first work of the Acharya. He commenced a pilgrimage to the North where he touched Benares, Allahabad, Dwaraka, Delhi and other places and reached the famous Badrikshetra. He composed the Brahmasutra Bhashya at this place and went further North alone, all by himself, to the depths of Himalayas, where Sri Vedavyasa is said to have his abode.
After his return to Udupi, Madhvacharya began to write various works establishing the new system of philosophy which came to be called Dwaita Siddhanta. The Acharya founded the famous Sri Krishna temple at Udupi and established eight mutts.
During his second tour to the North India again, Madhvacharya met Jalaluddin Khilji at Delhi and is said to have conversed with him in Urdu. Also during his second pilgrimage to Badari he performed many miracles of various types like walking on the water of the river Ganges etc. At Udupi his stolen manuscripts by rival scholars were recovered miraculously. The various miracles attributed to him in the traditional biography (the Madhavavijaya) prove that the Acharya was a giant both physically and intellectually as also in yogic powers.
Sri Madhvacharya has written thirty-seven works like bhasyas on all Upanishads, Bhagavadgitabhasya, Brahmasutrabhasya, Dvadasastotra and more. The followers of Madhvacharya don’t document his death but his departure to Badri at the age of 79 in 1317 C.E. According to followers he felt that he had finished his work, Madhvacharya disappeared from his seat mysteriously, while teaching the Attareya Upanishad to his disciples, leaving a big heap of flowers on it. The day on which Sri Madhvacharya proceeded to Badri is celebrated as Madhva Navami which is also known as disappearance day of Madhva Acharya by his disciples.
Madhvacharya was the proponent of Dvaita Vedanta. It regards Brahman and individual souls as eternal and mutually separate entities. Hence the philosophy of Dvaita Vedanta is based on principles of dualism which is opposite to philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and Vishishta Advaita Vedanta. The philosophy of Dvaita Vedanta is also known as Tattvavada – the Philosophy of Reality. It identifies God with Brahman completely and in turns with Vishnu or his various incarnations.
Meera Bai (1498-1547 CE) was a great Hindu mystic poet and ardent devotee of Lord Krishna from her childhood. Born into a royal family of Rajasthan, she was one of the significant Sants of the Vaishnava Bhakti movement. Some 1300 poems written in passionate praise of Lord Krishna are credited to her.
Meera was a Rajput princess born about 1498 in Kudaki, Rajasthan. However, according to some accounts the place of her birth was Chaukari, not Kudki. Mira’s father Ratan Singh Rathore was the younger son of Rao Dudaji, the ruler of the kingdom. He spent most of his time away from home fighting the Mughals. According to one accounts he died at a young age while fighting in a battle. Her mother too died when Mira was around seven years old and therefore, as a child Mira got very little parental care and affection. Mira received lessons in religion, politics and government from her grandfather Rao Dudaji. She was also well educated in music and art. She was married to Bhoj Raj, the ruler of Chittor in 1516. She took no interest in her spouse as she believed herself to be married to Lord Krishna.
Married off to Prince Bhoj Raj of Chittor at a tender age she was expected to lead the life of a princess and was pressured into devoting her time to her domestic duties. Yet, young as she was, she stood firm and devoted her life in the service of her Lord. Neither riches nor danger to her life could deter her from her path. When it became impossible to live within the royal household, she chose to leave home and went to Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna had spent his boyhood days. There she led the life of a saint, devoting her time in the service of Lord Krishna. She passed her last days at Dwarika, where Lord Krishna and his clan was said to have lived after leaving their original home at Mathura. According to popular belief, she miraculously merged with the image of Krishna in circa 1547 at the age of 49.
Historians believe that Meera Bai was a disciple of Guru Ravidas and accept popular beliefs which associate her with Sant Tulsidas and her interactions with Rupa Goswami in Vrindavan. As per Hindu lunar calendar, the day of Sharad Purnima is observed as the birth anniversary of Meerabai.
Valmiki is also known as Maharishi Valmiki and considered as the Adi Kavi i.e. the first poet of Sanskrit language. As per the traditional Hindu calendar, his birth anniversary, which is also known as Valmiki Jayanti, falls on ‘Purnima’ (full moon Day) during the month of Ashwin whereas in the Gregorian calendar it corresponds to the month of September-October. He was a great sage and author of the epic Ramayana which consists of 24,000 verses and 7 cantos (Kandas) including the Uttara canto. This day is celebrated with dedication in the northern regions of India and is also referred as ‘Pragat Diwas’. Maharishi Valmiki is believed to be the contemporary of Lord Sri Rama which makes it difficult to define the exact timings of his birth as birth era of Lord Sri Rama is also a topic of much debate among modern historians.
As per Ramayana, Shri Rama met Valmiki during his period of exile and interacted with him. Later, Valmiki gave shelter to Devi Sita in his hermitage when Rama banished her. Kusha and Lava, the twin sons of Shri Rama were born in his hermitage. Valmiki taught Ramayana to both twins.
Maharishi Valmiki in his early life was a highway dacoit named Ratnakar, who used to rob people after killing them. It is believed that sage Narada Muni transformed Ratnakar into great devotee of Lord Rama. On the advice of Narada Muni, Ratnakar performed great penance by reciting great Mantra of Rama Nama. After years of meditation, a divine voice declared his penance successful and bestowed him with new name Valmiki, the one who born out of ant-hills.
India is home to several Valmiki temples but the most prominent one is located in Chennai. It is believed that sage Valmiki rested at the spot and later the temple was constructed. The temple is believed to be 1300 years old and stands on the East Coast Road named as Valmiki Nagar. On this day, people pay their respects towards Maharishi Valmiki by parading portraits of him. The procession is called Shobha Yatra.
Karwa Chauth fasting is done by married women during Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in the Hindu month of Kartik for the long life of their husband and according to Amanta calendar followed in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Southern India it is Ashwin month which is current during Karwa Chauth. It is just the name of the month which differs and in all states Karwa Chauth is observed on the same day.
Karwa Chauth coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi a fasting day observed for Lord Ganesha. The fasting of Karwa Chauth and its rituals are observed by married women for the long life of their husband. Married women worship Lord Shiva and His family including Lord Ganesha and break the fast only after sighting and making the offerings to the moon. The fasting of Karwa Chauth is strict and observed without taking any food or even a drop of water after sunrise till the sighting of the moon in the night. Also as Savitri begged the god of death, Lord Yama, for her husband’s soul, thereby the belief that keeping this taxing fast would protect their husbands from any harm and ensure long life to them.
A long time ago, there was a beautiful girl by the name of Veervati and she was the sole sister of seven brothers who became queen after marrying a king at a young age. After her marriage, she celebrated her first day long fast at her parents’ home. In the evening because of her unbearable thirst and hunger she was desperately waiting for moon to rise and break her fast. Her seven brothers who loved her unconditionally, couldn’t see her in pain as a result they decided to end her fast by deluding her. To create a delusion of moon, the brothers reflected a mirror through a Pipal tree and Veervati thinking it was moon rise, broke the fast with food. The moment the queen ate her dinner, she received the news that her husband had died. On her way to her husband’s place, she met lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Parvati told her the reason of king’s condition as she broke her fast by watching a false moon. Veervati asked for forgiveness and since it was not her fault, the goddess forgave her and her husband was. In return, she took oath that she would undertake the Karwa Chauth fast under strict rituals from then on. Also In the Mahabharata times, on advise of Lord Krishna, Draupadi kept the fast with same ritual as Goddess Parvati had sought from Lord Shiva and after that the Pandavas were able to overcome their problems.
Also as per the belief, a woman, named Karva, was bathing with her husband in a river and suddenly crocodile caught him. With the power of her deep love for his husband, she bounded the crocodile by cotton yarn and told Yamaraj to send crocodile in hell but Yamaraj refused. She frightened him by the curse of destroying him. Then Yamaraj sent crocodile to hell and blessed Karva’s husband for long life. Karwa Chauth day is also known as Karak Chaturthi. Karwa or Karak refers to the earthen pot through which water offering, known as Argha, is made to the moon. Karwa is very significant during Puja and it is also given as Dan to the Brahmin or any eligible woman.
As women prepare for the big day, with mehendi and ‘sola sringar’, devotedly praying and waiting for the moon to appear in the sky. After four days of Karwa Chauth, Ahoi Ashtami Vrat is observed for the well being of sons.
Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, is celebrated at the end of Ashwin month with its festivities continuing till the beginning of Kartika month, based on the auspicious Hindu calendar and is one of the most widely celebrated religious occasions across the world. On the day of Diwali, people gets up early in the morning and pay tribute to their ancestors and worship family gods. Being Amavasya day, people also perform Shradh for their ancestors. Traditionally, most Puja are performed after keeping a day long fast. Hence, the devotees of Goddess Lakshmi observe a day long fast on the day of Lakshmi Puja. The fast is broken after Lakshmi Puja in the evening.
Unlike most Indian festivals, the vivacious festival of Diwali is revelry continues for five days while some part of South India celebrates Diwali as a one day festival. The first day of Diwali festivities is known as Dhanteras, on which most of the business communities in India begin their financial year. Naraka Chaturdasi marks the second day of festivities and the third day is celebrated Diwali, also known as Deepawali or Deepavali which involves the worship of Goddess Laksmi and Lord Ganesha. On the fourth day, Govardhan Puja is performed, whereas the final day is known as Bhai Dooj and celebrates the love between a brother and sister.
The most popular tradition behind Diwali dictates that it marks the day on which the Hindu deity Lord Ram returned to his home city of Ayodhya after vanquishing the demon king Ravana. According to mythology, lights were lit all across the country to celebrate his return to rule. It is widely believed that Diwali is the day on which the Hindu goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi supposedly roams the Earth and blesses people with wealth and happiness. Another belief for Jainism, India’s sixth largest religion, is that this is the day on which the last of the 24 Thirthankaras (Great Teachers), Lord Mahavira attained ‘Nirvana’. Sikhs celebrate Diwali as the occasion on which their teacher Guru Hargobind Ji was released from the captivity of Mughal ruler Jahangir in Gwalior along with several Hindu kings.
Many communities especially Gujarati businessmen do Chopda Pujan during Diwali Puja. During Chopda Puja new account books are inaugurated in presence of Goddess Lakshmi to seek Her blessing for the next financial year. Diwali Puja is also known as Deepavali Puja and Lakshmi Ganesh Pujan.
The fourteenth (Chaturdashi) day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin, when Shri krishna returned home at dawn, after slaying Narkasur, is known as ‘Narak Chaturdashi‘ or ‘Kali Puja‘. Five days Diwali festivity starts on Dhantrayodashi and lasts on Bhaiya Dooj day. Abhyang Snan has been suggested on three days i.e. on Chaturdashi, Amavasya and Pratipada days during Diwali.
According to Hindu legend, this day commemorates the victory of Goddess Kali, Goddess Satyabhama and Shri Krishna over Narakasura the demon-king. Narakasura ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Puranas have it that Naraka, son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power from a blessing given by Lord Brahma after a severe penance. Narakasura was a demon-king who had imprisoned 16,000 women which included the daughters of the Gods. He had also defeated the king of the Gods, Lord Indra and stolen the earrings from Aditi, the mother of the Gods. Goddess Kali, Goddess Satyabhama and Lord Krishna thus fought the battle with the demon and defeated him with Krishna’s Sudarshana Chakra and Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with Naraka’s blood.
Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated in a special way in Goa, where paper-made effigies stuffed with grass and firecrackers are burst at four in the morning. Men take scented oil baths, while the women perform aarti for them. A bitter berry called the Kareeta is crushed under the feet which symbolises the killing of Narakasura, and the removal of evil and ignorance.
A thorough Pre-Diwali cleaning is done throughout the house to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The literal meaning of ‘Kali Chaudas’ is dark and fourteenth, the day when Kali Puja or Shakti Puja is done. Kali Puja is usually celebrated in the eastern part of the country, where people pray for protection against spiritual, emotional and physical adversities. Gifts are exchanged and the atmosphere is filled with a mood of celebration and festivity. Different kinds of poha and sweets are prepared, offered to the God and enjoyed with family and friends.Diwali is usually celebrated on Narak Chaturdashi in south India, while others celebrate it on new moon night.
Abhyang Snan on Chaturdashi day, which is popularly known as Narak Chaturdashi, is the most significant one. It is believed that people, who do Abhyang Snan on this day, can avoid going to Narak. Narak Chaturdashi day is also known as Choti Diwali, Roop Chaturdashi and Roop Chaudas.
