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Diwali,
the abbreviated form of Deepavali — literally means a 'chain or
garland of lamps'. It is ritually celebrated to commemorate the return
of Prince Rama of Ayodhya after long years of banishment in the
forest. The dark night is lit with spectacular pyrotechnics and joyous
feasting. Not just the Diwali day, this is the time for almost nonstop
festivities that spread over five days.
Dhanteras Dhanteras is the first day of festivities prior to Diwali. Dhan translates literally as money and represents riches of all kind. This is the day marked on the Hindu calendar for purchasing gold and silver — and, if precious metals are beyond reach — shinning metal utensils of brass. Nowadays, practical housewives interpret and expand the traditional prescription to include kitchen gadgets like mixers-blenders, even induction cookers. Terah
derives from the Sanskrit word trayodashi or the 13th day of
the fortnight. According to a mythological account, Dhanvantari, the
legendary physician, emerged out of the ocean churned by gods and
demons on the 13th day — suggesting that it was originally called
Dhanvantari Trayodashi.
Another interesting tale
explains the day's association with precious metals. A king out on a
hunt lost his way and strayed into another sovereign's realm, who
befriended him, and in course of time offered his daughter's hand to
the guest's son. It was predicted that the prince would die of
snakebite on the day of his marriage. The bride piled all her
ornaments on the threshold where these reflected light falling on it
dazzlingly. Yama, the god of death, was blinded when he tried to sneak
in. Meanwhile, the princess had started telling stories to her husband
lest he fall asleep. The deadly serpent, too, was ensnared in the
narrative. At daybreak, the reptile returned impressed by the devotion
and love of the newly married wife.
Narak chaturdashi The next day is known as Narak chaturdashi. Chaturdashi is the 14th day of the fortnight. According to a legend, this was the day when Lord Krishna killed Narakasur, the demon who tormented his kinsmen in Braj. On this day, a variety of homemade sweets — laddoos, shakkarpare and barfis are relished and shared. Amavasya is the 15th day
in the Krishna paksha (dark fortnight). Beginning of the New Year, it
celebrates Prince Rama's victorious return to Ayodhya after
vanquishing the demon king Ravan and Rama's coronation at the end of
14-year-long exile in the forest. This is when badi Diwali is
celebrated with Lakshmi pujan. In Bengal, the fierce mother goddess
Kali is worshipped. Firecrackers are burst and a rich meal of kheer,
puri, and sweetmeats is prepared. Gambling is for some the bane of
Diwali. Card parties start almost a fortnight before the big day.
Govardhan puja The day after Diwali is
Govardhan puja. According to a story in the Mahabharat, the
people of Braj were tormented by Indra who imposed an unbearable tax
for 'regular' rains. Krishna advised the poor farmers not to put up
with this. Infuriated, Indra unleashed torrential showers that
threatened to sweep everything away in a ravaging flood. Krishna came
to the rescue and sheltered the frightened villagers under Govardhan
Parbat (hill). He lifted it and held up on his little finger. Indra
was humbled and soon restored regular monsoons. While it poured, those
sheltering under Govardhan Parbat sustained themselves with plants
that grew on the mountain. It is to commemorate this experience that a
special mixed vegetable stew is prepared as prasad on this day.
Nowadays, vegetable sellers in the Hindi heartland sell packets of
readymade vegetable mix to facilitate the performance of ritual
preparation. The orthodox, however, stay with purely swadeshi
stuff. The traditional recipe doesn't use garlic and onions and is
slow cooked on low heat.
Vishwakarma puja In some parts of the country, Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, is also ritually worshipped. It was Vishwakarma, who had designed the magical palace for the Pandavas that made Duryodhan mad with envy. It isn't only architects but all professionals who make a living with instruments and machines celebrate it as a special day and perform a puja of tools of their trade. For Kayasthas this is an
occasion to pay homage to the ancestor who started their line.
According to a legend, Dharmraj, the lord who commanded Yama (God of
Death), was finding it difficult in the absence of proper keeping of
records to decide whom to send to heaven and whom to dispatch to hell.
He therefore requested Brahma to bail him out. He created from his
body (kaya) a man with special talent for keeping official records. As
the son was born of pure thought where he had lain hidden till the
moment he was mentally conceived he was named Chitragupta — the word
literally translates as a 'picture or mental image that lay hidden'.
Kayasthsas have long played a significant role as courtier
chroniclers, keepers of records and high administrative functionaries
in Indian history. After worshipping Chitragupta, fresh ledgers are
opened and a meal comprising traditional delicacies is enjoyed. Farey
are gujhiya-like steamed crescents prepared with rice flour and
have a delicately flavoured filling of urad dal paste. These
are enjoyed with ghee and chutney. At times farey are fried.
Another specialty is rote, a large biscuit like puri
sweetened with gur. Prasad of gur and til
seeds is distributed and karhi is a must.
Bhai dooj Bhai dooj or bhratri dwitiya is observed on the second day of the Shukla paksha — the bright fortnight. This may be best described as the 'brother's day.' In Nepal it is called tikka. Anointed with doorva grass, perfume is sprinkled. Sisters treat their siblings to their favourite delicacies. After the surfeit of kheer during Diwali, the attention shifts to halwa-kachorhi, puve and assorted barhe. Gifts are exchanged but for us being fed the almost extinct goodies like makhkan vada or home-made maal pua with pistachio-laden rabri is the high point of Bhai dooj. Yama dvitiya is celebrated on the same day as Bhai dooj. An interesting story is associated with it. Sanjna, the wife of Surya, the Sun god, withdrew from his company unable to bear his fiery brilliance. She left her twins Yama and his sister Yamuna with her likeness Chhaya. Surya couldn't make out the difference and continued life as usual. But the twins, mistreated by the stepmother, rebelled. Once Yama kicked her and was cursed by her to lameness. This made Surya suspect Chhaya — how could a mother curse her own child like this? Yama was made the God of Death to be feared by all and Yamuna was transformed into a holy river second only to Ganga in sanctity. It is believed that if a brother has a meal with his sister on the riverbank on Yama dwitiya, both will enjoy exceptional good fortune. Incidentally, Chitragupta, worshipped by Kayasthas on this day, is put on a high pedestal only because he is Yama's scribe. Chitragupta puja ritual includes showing respect to pen, inkstand and official seal.
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