Diwali 2023 Celebration
Diwali 2023: Celebrate the Festival of Victory
Date: 12th November 2023
Muhurta/Auspicious Time:
- 18:03 to 20:04 Vrishabha (वृषभ) kaal
- 17:29 to 20:08 Pradosh Kaal
Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the festival of lights, and it's time to let the light pierce the darkness this year. In India, a land of myriad festivals celebrated with great zeal, Diwali holds a special place. It's one of the most important festivals in Hinduism, where people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha to seek blessings for a prosperous life. But Diwali is not just about worship; it's a grand celebration filled with joy, dance, and song.
Let's explore the essence of this 'festival of lights' in 2023.
Grand Celebration of Diwali 2023
Diwali is a complete "Dhoom Dhadaka" festival, celebrated for five days. The night of Diwali is when everyone comes together to enjoy diya lighting, singing, dancing, and even some harmless fireworks. It's a time of joy and fun, a carnival of lights that brightens up our lives.
Carnival of Lights: Deepawali
Deepawali, an alternate name for Diwali, is one of the most awaited festivals in the Hindu religion. The word "Deep" symbolizes light, and "Avali" means a series of lights. It's rightly called the "festival of lights" or the "carnival of lights." Diwali comes after the eighteen days of the Dussehra festival. On the eve of Diwali, people light Diyas, and small clay lamps, and place them around their homes, illuminating the surroundings.
In the modern age, different types of diyas and electric lamps are available, but the traditional mud lamp still holds its significance. Lighting a diya is a way of expressing gratitude towards the divine for good health, wealth, knowledge, fame, and peace in life. Diwali is a festival enjoyed by people of all age groups. It's a time for taking blessings from elders, exchanging sweets, and fireworks lighting up the night.
Deepawali spans five days, with each day dedicated to different rituals and significance. However, the essence remains the same: the triumph of good over evil and the victory of truth. So, when you celebrate Diwali in 2023, remember the reason behind the celebration and strive to eliminate negativity from your life, embracing the path of truth.
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Diwali 2023: Five Days of Celebration
Deepawali usually falls in October or November, following the Durga Puja and Dusshara festivals. In 2023, it's scheduled for November 12th.
The celebrations commence with Dhanteras on November 10th, marking the entry of prosperity into homes. This day is associated with buying gold, silver, and other items. November 12th is celebrated as "Chotti Diwali," where people make various sweets. It's also known as "Narka Chaturdarshi."
The main Diwali, "Badi Diwali," is on November 12th, 2023, when Goddess Lakshmi, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, is worshipped. The day after Diwali, we celebrate "Govardhan Puja" and "Bhai Dooj" on November 14th.
Deepawali is eagerly awaited and enjoyed by the Hindu community, bringing joy, fun, and togetherness.
Diwali 2023: The Significance of Lighting a Diya
Lighting diyas during Diwali is not just a tradition; it carries profound symbolism. Light represents positivity and knowledge, dispelling ignorance, negativity, greed, violence, and envy. It signifies the subtraction of ignorance and the welcoming of wisdom, the destruction of evil, and the arrival of happiness.
Diwali 2023: Legends Associated with This Bright Festival
Diwali is rich in legends that explain its significance:
Lord Rama's Return to Ayodhya
Lord Rama, the epitome of truth, morality, and a perfect king, had his wife abducted by Ravan. He waged war against Ravan and emerged victorious. Upon his return to Ayodhya with his wife and brother, people celebrated the day by lighting diyas. This marked the beginning of the Diwali tradition.
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The Defeat of Narakasura by Satyabhama
Narakasura, the demon king of Pradyoshpuram, was a cruel ruler. The people sought help from Lord Krishna, who took Satyabhama, Narakasura's mother, to defeat him. Narakasura's death brought relief to the people.
The Appearance of Devi Lakshmi
According to Hindu mythology, Lakshmi Mata is the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. On Diwali eve, people worship her as she appeared during the churning of Mount Mandara. Goddess Mahalakshmi chose Lord Vishnu as her husband during this event. She is believed to bring good luck for wealth, health, peace, and strength.
Diwali 2023: Deepawali - The Harvest Festival
In India, Diwali is celebrated as a harvest festival. Traditionally, the end of the cropping season marked a time of prosperity and happiness for farmers. Even today, farmers celebrate the harvest season with joy and gratitude, performing prayers for a good harvest. It's a custom followed across urban and rural India, particularly as the Kharif harvesting season concludes in October-November.
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Diwali 2023: A Five-Day Celebration
Let's understand the importance of Deepawali by taking a brief look at all five days of Diwali:
Celebration of Dhanteras
The five-day Diwali celebration commences with Dhanteras, also known as "Dhanwantari Triodasi" or "Dhantrayodashi." On this day, devotees worship Mata Lakshmi, also known as Dhan Lakshmi, believing that her blessings will bring prosperity and wealth. People also worship God Kuber, the owner of wealth and treasure, on this auspicious day. It's considered auspicious to purchase new household items, such as kitchen utensils made of copper, brass, or iron, on Dhanteras. Silver-based jewellery is also popular, and people exchange gifts and good wishes with friends and relatives.
Celebrations of Choti Diwali
Choti Diwali, or Narak Chaturdashi, precedes the main Diwali. People light lamps on a smaller scale to mark the victory over the demon Narakasura.
Diwali - The Main Festival
Badi Diwali, the third day of Diwali celebrations, is when Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for knowledge, wealth, and prosperity. It's believed that she blesses her devotees on this night. It's a night of great joy and festivity, and people often visit temples to seek blessings.
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Govardhan Puja
This day is dedicated to the memory of Lord Krishna's lifting of the Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Mathura from the wrath of Lord Indra. The day is celebrated with great reverence and devotion. People offer a variety of food, especially sweets, as a symbol of Govardhan Hill. The puja is performed with devotion and rituals, and it signifies the importance of nature and environment.
Bhai Dooj - Strengthening Sibling Bonds
The festivities conclude with Bhai Dooj, a day dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply a tilak on their brothers' foreheads and perform aarti to protect them from evil. Brothers, in return, offer gifts and sweets as a token of their love and blessings. It's a day that strengthens the relationship between siblings.
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Celebrating Diwali in 2023
As we delve into the traditions and rituals of Diwali in 2023, let's also look at the ways to add colour and ambience to this joyous festival.
- Decorate the House by Lighting Lamps: Illuminate your home with lamps to dispel darkness and welcome knowledge.
- Light Firecrackers: After Goddess Lakshmi's puja, indulge in the excitement of fireworks, especially children, who eagerly await the spectacle.
- Making Rangolis: Create intricate rangolis at your door, enhancing the festive spirit. Light diyas around the rangoli for added joy.
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Diwali Celebrations Around the World
Diwali is not confined to India; it's celebrated worldwide with equal enthusiasm. In North India, people traditionally buy silver or golden utensils on Dhanteras. Homes are adorned with candles and clay lamps, inviting Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and happiness. Gifting, sharing sweets, and exchanging greetings are common practices among friends and relatives.
Even in foreign countries, Diwali is celebrated with great zeal. In Britain, people exchange gifts, sweets, and greetings in a traditional manner. Indonesia, especially in Bali, sees significant Diwali celebrations, similar to the Indian pattern.
Diwali in 2023 promises to reignite the same feelings of joy and knowledge. Celebrate this festival with loved ones, and may it fill your life with light.
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