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Diwali 2024
Diwali or Dipawali is a “festival of lights ” that signifies the victory of good over bad or evil. On the day of Dipawali, Lord Ramachandra, Sita, and Laxman returned to Ayodhya. In celebration of their return, the people of Ayodhya lit lamps and diyas to symbolize the victory of light over darkness. This festival (Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Badi Diwali, Goverdhan Pooja, and Bhai Dooj) is celebrated five days in a row. The third day of Dipawali is the main day which is known as Badi Diwali, it is the new moon day of Kartik mas (Amavasya).On the day of Dipawali, the sweetest lila or pastime of lord Krishna is Damodar lila (when Krishna broke the pot of yogurt and was bound by mother Yashoda and later little Krishna liberated two sons of Kuvera “Nalakuvera” and “Manigriva ” from their curse) took place. Therefore, Kartik mas is also known as Damodar Maas.
Diwali 2024 Date
Diwali is celebrated on the 20th day after Vijayadashmi or Dussehra. This Year 2023, Diwali falls on 01 November 2024. Different cultures celebrate Dipawali in their own way and traditions. It is perhaps the most important festival celebrated by Indians all around the world.
Dhanteras (First day of Diwali)
Dhanteras is known as the first day of Diwali. It falls on the 13th lunar day of Krishna paksha as per the Vedic calendar in the month of Kartik. According to ancient Vedic history, on this specific day, Dhanvantari (an incarnation of lord Vishnu) appeared after churning milk ocean by demigods and demons and then lord Dhanvantri appeared with a jar containing the nectar. Goddess Laxmi also appeared from the milk ocean on this day hence Goddess Laxmi is also worshipped on Dhantrayodishi.
This Diwali 2024, Bring a smile to someone’s face by donating to Anna-Daan under the Food for Life program, and experience Krishna’s Divine shower of blessing in your life.
Choti Diwali (The Second Day of Dipawali)
The second day of Dipawali is celebrated as Choti Diwali. This day is also known as Naraka Chaturdasi. It falls on the 14th lunar day of Krishna paksha according to the Vedic calendar in the month of Kartik. As lord Ramachandra delivered Ravana on Dussehra similarly on this particular day, lord Krishna, the supreme personality of godhead delivered Narakasura.
Badi Diwali (Third Day of Dipawali)
Third day of Dipawali is celebrated as the main day that is called Badi Diwali. Dipawali 2023 – 13th November 2023, MondayWhen lord Ramachandra returned back to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, Hanuman was sent as a messenger to tell everyone about lord Ramachandra’s return as soon as Hanuman informed Ayodhyawasi about lord Ramachandra return everyone was overwhelmed in Ayodhya with joy after hearing this. They began to arrange for grand celebrations they decorated Ayodhya with light, lamps and flowers. This is continued as a ritual from that day every year on the 20th day of Dussehra people celebrate the Dipawali festival of light to mark lord Ramachandra’s return.
The third day of Dipawali, known as Badi Diwali, is celebrated as a main festival. This year, Diwali 2023 is on Monday, November 13. After a fourteen-year exile, Lord Ramachandra returned to Ayodhya, and Hanuman was sent as a messenger to inform the people of Ayodhya. As soon as Hanuman reached and informed Ayodhyawasi about the lord’s return, The people were overwhelmed in Ayodhya with joy after hearing this and they started planning a grand celebration, decorating the city with lights, lamps, and flowers. From that day on, This is continued as a ritual. Every year on the 20th day of Dussehra, people celebrate the Dipawali festival of light to remember lord Ramachandra’s return.
Goverdhan Puja(Fourth day of Diwali)
On the fourth day of Dipawali, people perform Govardhan Puja. This sacred hill was worshipped by the Vraja people and Lord Krishna a thousand years ago. Ever since this day is celebrated annually as Govardhan Puja to remember the first puja performed by people in Vraja.
Furthermore, on this day, Bali Maharaja was also defeated by lord Krishna’s Vamana avatar.
Bhai Dooj (Fifth day of Diwali)
Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the fifth day of Dipawali. Yama, also known as Yamaraj, the lord of death, visited his sister on this day and gave her a boon (Vandana) that anyone who visits their sister on this day and celebrates bhai Dooj will be freed from all sins and attain moksha. Bengalis also refer to this day as “bhai fota.” Bhai fota is a tradition, especially among Bengalis, in which a sister offers prayers for her brother’s success, safety, and well-being. This day represents the conclusion of the five-day Dipawali celebration.
Laxmi Puja on Dipawali-
People worship the goddess of wealth Laxmi seeking blessings to attain wealth and prosperity on Dipawali. Homes are cleaned to welcome Laxmi before puja, it is believed that goddess Laxmi enters the cleanest house and blesses them with wealth and success.
The main attraction of this occasion is the exchanging of sweets. On Dipawali, gifts are sweets. They welcome, meet, and spend time with friends and families. This Diwali 2023 festival brings people together.
On these five days of the festival, people buy various kinds of jewellery, utensils, and décorative items, but we tend to forget that the real wealth of this world is getting the blessings of the supreme personality of the godhead by devotion and chanting his holy name. We in Iskcon celebrate this festival by singing Glories of the lord by performing kirtan and singing Damodarastakam together.
We in Iskcon celebrate Dipawali with great enthusiasm and joy by illuminating many diyas and candles, we decorate the temple with lights and lamps and offer different varieties of bhoga to deities, we also prepare a great feast for everyone and dance together for the pleasure of supreme personality of the Godhead. Iskcon Ghaziabad wishes you and your family a happy and safe Dipawali. Celebrate it with great enthusiasm and don’t forget to chant-
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare”
May this festival of Dipawali lord fill the life of everyone with the light of love, peace and happiness.
Nobody becomes poor by giving. So this Diwali, support Iskcon Ghaziabad temple by making donation to feed the hungry people.
Let’s celebrate Dipawali this year by helping needy people.
This Diwali, Bring a smile to someone’s face by donating to Anna-Daan under the Food for Life program, and experience Krishna’s Divine shower of blessing in your life.
Srila Prabhupada Said
“Charity should only be given to propagate Krishna Consciousness all over the world.
No matter how small or big, Krishna sees your Heart, whether you want to serve him or not.”
BG 17.20
“dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ‘nupakāriṇe
deśhe kāle cha pātre cha tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam”
“Charity given to a worthy person simply because it is right to give, without consideration of anything in return, at the proper time and in the proper place, is stated to be in the mode of goodness.”
“HARE KRISHNA
