Skip to main content

Diwali - The Festival of Lights.

Diwali or Deepawali is the festival of lights. It illuminates our houses and hearts and preaches the message of friendship and togetherness. Light is the depiction of hope, success, knowledge, and fortune and Diwali reinforces our faith in these virtues of life.


In India, Diwali is a five-day-long celebration that commences with 'Dhanteras' that is held on the 13th lunar day of the Krishna paksha of the Indian month of Ashwin. It ends with the celebration of Bhai duj which falls on the second lunar day of the Shukla paksha of the Indian month of Kartik. According to the English calendar, Diwali is usually celebrated in mid-November every year.

The Story behind Diwali

Since Diwali is the resemblance of everything that is 'good', this festival has been the center of many mythological stories.
  • Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya on this day along with Sita and Lakshman after he attained victory over Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Lanka. On this occasion, the local people lit earthen lamps and burst crackers to welcome their King and queen back to the throne.
  • This day is also celebrated as the union of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu in heaven.
  • In Bengal, this day is celebrated to worship the most powerful Goddess of 'shakti' - Devi Kali.
  • In the Jain culture, this day is of utmost importance as Mahavira attained the final 'nirvana' on this day.
  • In ancient India, this day was celebrated as the harvest festival.
  • Diwali also marks the death anniversary of Dayanand Saraswati, the 'hero' of the Arya Samaj.
Rituals of Diwali

Diwali is celebrated all across India in different forms and is thus an important National holiday too.

  • Diwali starts with Dhanteras—the beginning of a new financial year, the second day is Naraka Chaturdasi, the day Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura; the third day is Amavasya, the day Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and fortune is worshipped. The fourth day is Kartika Shudha padyami and the last day is celebrated as Bhai duj, the day sisters worship their brothers and pray for their long life and well-being.
  • Feasting, gambling, exchanging gifts among friends and families, and bursting firecrackers are a must during Diwali. People also wear new clothes and worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on this day.
  • In Southern India, Diwali marks the homecoming of their ancient King Mahabali and people decorate their houses with flowers and cow dung to welcome the King. Govardhan Puja is done on this day.
  • In Bengal and other parts of Eastern India, Goddess Kali is worshipped on this day. This is known as Shyama Puja.
  • In Maharashtra, Diwali starts with worshipping cows and their calves. This is known as Vasu Baras.
  • Big Diwali fairs are held across the country. These fairs are business centers, and many artists and acrobats are seen performing at these events.

For Telugu Click Here 

2024: November 01.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sri Brahmamgari Matham Timings - Kandamallaipalle

Sri Pothuluru Veerabrahmendra Swami  is one of the great saints of India. He has the knowledge of past, present and future. His forecastings of which all were proved correct.  He forecasts events to happen upto the end of Kaliyuga starting from his reign. He lived 400 years ago from 1608-1693. This temple was built in 1693 by Devotees  Best time to visit – September to February Pooja Schedule : 6.00 am to 8.30 – Sarva Darshanam 9.00 am to 10.00 am – Abhishekam, Sarva darshanam 12.30 pm – Maha Nivedana 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm – Temple closes 3.00 pm to 6.30 pm – Sarva Darshanam 6.30 pm to 7.00 pm – Abhishekam 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm – Sarva Darshan 9.00 pm – Maha Nivedana 9.00 pm to 10.00 pm – Gramotsavam, Gudi Ustavam. Eshwari Devi Mattam Timings 5.00 am to 6.00 am – Suprabatha Seva 6.00 am to 7.00 am – Abhishekam 7.00 am to 8.00 am – Astothara Seva 8.00 am to 9.00 am – Kukumarchana 9.00 am to 12.00 pm – Sarva Darshanam 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm – Maha N

Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple - Vyalikaval, Bangalore

Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple is located at Vyalikaval, Malleswaram Bangalore Karnataka. Lord Sri Venkateswara is the presiding deity of this temple.  This temple was built in the year May 2010. Deities in the temple are Lord Venkateswara, Goddess Padmavathi, Andal Ammavaru, Lord Rama and Sita Lakshman and Hanuma, Lord Ganesh and Radha Krishna. This Temple sees extreme crowds on Saturdays and other important festival days. Arjita Seva details Astothara Sathakalasbhishekam – Every month first Wednesday Abhishekam – Friday Kalyanotsavam – Saturday and Sunday Unjal Seva – Saturday Annual Sevas like Vasantotsavam and Pavitrotsavam are performed Kalyanakatta and Thulabharam have been introduced for devotees Annadanam Timings 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm every day Tirumala Laddu will be available every Saturday  Temple Timings : 5.00 am to 8.30 pm Pooja Schedule 5.00 am to 5.30 am – Suprabatham 5.30 am to 6.30 am – Thomala Seva 6.30 am – Sahasranamarchana (e

Sri Peddamma Temple Dasara Navratri Utsavams 2024 Dates – Jubilee Hills

  Navratri utsavams at Peddamma Talli temple will commence on  October 03 2024 Schedule  : October 03 – Sri Balatripura Sundaradevi Alankaram October 04 – Sri Gaja Lakshmi Devi October 05 – Sri Annapurna Devi October 06 – Sri Gayatri Devi October 07 – Sri Lalitha Devi October 08 – Sri Rajarajeswari Devi October 09 – Sri Saraswathi Devi October 10 – Sri Durga Devi  October 11 - Sri Mahisasura Mardini   October 12 - Sri Peddamma Talli Alankaram   Alankara Darshan Timings 7.00 am to 1.00 pm 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm   October 03 – 3am – Abhishekam                     6 am – Darshan, Harathi                     7.15 am – Navratri Puja 9.45  am – Punyahavachanam, Vinayaka Puja, Ankurarpana, Akanda   Deepam,                  10.45 am – Kalasasthapana                  11.30 am – Veda Parayanam                    1.00 pm – Maha Nivedana                    8.00 pm – Pradosha Kala Puja, Pallaki Seva   October 04 to October 12 – 3.00 am – Abhishekam                                         6.00 am – Dars

Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple Timings – Rushikonda, Vizag

  Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is located near Rushi Konda in Vishakapatnam City in the State of Andhra Pradesh. This temple is built by TTD Goddess Sri Devi and Goddess Bhu Devi are present on the temple premises Lord Hanuman's statue has been placed in front of Lord Venkateswara. Visakhapatnam is home to the popular religious site Rishikonda. Opposite the hill, the temple was constructed. The TTD’s main intention is to provide Darshan to all the devotees of the city and to provide darshan and blessings of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy as in the case of Tirumala Temple. One who visits this temple can get their desires fulfilled. Temple Timings 6.00 am to 6.30 am – Suprabhatam 6.30 am to 8.00 am – Viswaroopa Darshan 8.00 am to 8.30 am – Thomala Seva 8.30 am to 9.00 am – Sahasranama Archana 9.00 am to 9.30 am – Naivedyam 9.30 am to 12.00 noon – Sarva Darshan 12.00 pm to 1.00 pm – Naivedyam 1.00 pm to 6.00 pm – Sarva darshan 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm – Naivedyam 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm –

Sri Kurumurthy Jatara/Brahmotsavams Dates 2023

Sri Kurumurthy Swamy Jatara or Brahmotsavams is the biggest event in the temple. It is celebrated for 19 days. This jatara will start at the time of Deepavali. In 2023 Jatara will commence on November 12 and ends on November 29. Important Dates November 14 - Kalyanotsavam(6.15 pm), Mayura Vahana Seva November 15 - Hamsa Vahana Seva (6.20 pm) November 16 - Sesha Vahana Seva (6.25 pm) November 17 - Gaja Vahana Seva (6.30 pm) November 18 - Alankarna Utsavam, Aswa Vahana Seva (10.30 pm)  November 19 - Uddala Utsavam, Hanuman Vahana Seva (9.10 pm), Garuda Vahana Seva(10.45 pm) Chakra Snanam (Mid night) November 29 - End of Utsavams

Sri Paiditalli Ammavaru Temple Sirimanotsavam 2024 Dates - Vizianagaram

  Sirimanotsavam is a festival celebrated at Pydhitalli Amma temple in Vizianagaram town. Siri means goddess Lakshmi and manu means trunk or log. It is held in September or October (during Dasara) every year. It is celebrated every year on the first Tuesday following Vijayadasami It is believed that approximately 15 days before Sirimanu ustav goddess Pyditalli ammavaru would come in the dream of the temple priest and tell him where the sirimanu for that year could be found. Important Dates 2024 September 20 – Pandirata Ustavam  september 20 - Mandala Deeksha October 10 - Ardha Mandala Deeksha October 14 – Tollela Ustavam October 15 – Sirimanotsavam October 22 – Teppotsavam October 27 - Kalasha Jyothi Procession October 29 – Uyalla Kambala Ustavam October 30 – Deeksha Viramana, Chandiyagam, Purnahuthi. Jatara Dates – Begins on September 20 and concludes on October 30.

Tirumala Pournami Garuda Seva Dates 2024

  Garuda is the Vahana of Lord Vishnu. In Tirumala, every year on the fifth day of Brahmotsavams garuda Seva is performed. Nearly more than 5 lakh devotees visit Tirumala on this day. So garuda seva has more significance in Tirumala. But on the full moon of every month, lord Malayappa Swamy rides on Garuda vahana and showers his wishes to devotees. Timings: 7 pm to 9 pm. For Telugu Click Here   Pournami Garuda Seva  Dates 2024 January 25, Thursday February 24, Saturday March 25, Monday April 23, Tuesday May 23, Thursday June 22, Saturday July 21, Sunday August 19, Monday  September 18, Wednesday October 17, Thursday November 15, Friday December 15, Sunday

Tirumala Shanivaralu 2024 Dates

Tirumala Shanivaralu'  is a Festival celebrated in some parts of South India including  Andhra Pradesh ,  Karnataka ,  Tamil Nadu , and  Kerala . Lord  Venkateswara  Swamy will be worshiped during this festival. It is celebrated during the Tamil month of Purattasi, generally which falls in September and October. Puratasi Masam is of great importance as it is believed that Lord Venkateswara appeared on the earth in this month. Lord Vishnu  devotees consider this as the ideal month for thanking Lord Vishnu for preserving the Universe at the end of  Kali Yuga . All the Saturdays of this month are treated as holy days and devotees gather in large numbers at Lord Vishnu temples and special prayers are offered. Particularly the Odd Saturdays 1st, 3rd, 5th are of more importance. Tirumala Annual Brahmotsavam  was also observed during this month when  Tirumala  will be flooded with lakhs of devotees. Some people will take only vegetarian food during this month. For Telugu Click Here  2024

Edupayala Vanadurga Jatara Dates 2024

  The three-day Jatara is celebrated during Maha Shivaratri. It is the second biggest Jatara after Medaram It is a major festival celebrated at Vanadurga Temple During this large number of devotees take a holy dip in the Manjeera river 2024 Schedule March 08 – Maha Shivaratri, Panchamrutha Abhishekam, Kukumrachana March 09 – Procession (Bandla Vuregimpu) March 10 - Rathotsavam.

Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple Timings - Konda Bitragunta

The Famous Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple is located in Bilakoota of Konda Bitragunta near Bitragunta in Nellore District. Temple Timings : 6.00 am to 12.30 pm  5.00 pm to 8.30 pm  On Saturday 6.00 am to 1.00 pm 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm Pooja Schedule  6.00 am – Alaya Suddhi 6.30 am – Suprabatha Seva 7.30 am – Tiruvaradhana 8.00 am – Sahasranamarchana 8.30 am – Maha Nivedana (1 st bell) 10.30 am – Archana to Srivaru and Ammavaru 10.45 am – Maha Nivedana (2 nd bell) 12.15 pm – Visranti Seva 12.30 pm -  Temple Closes 5.30 pm – Aradhana, Panakam, Naivedyam 7.00 pm – Tiruvaradhana 7.15 pm – Archana 7.30 pm – Maha Naivedyam (3 rd Bell) 7.50 pm – Ekanta Seva 8.00 pm – Neerajanam Special Pujas 9.30 am – Every Friday Abhishekam to Sri Varu and Ammavaru 6.00 pm – Every Friday Kukumarchana 8.00 pm – Every Friday Pallaki Seva to Ammavaru 9.30 am –Every Sunday and Tuesday Archana and Aaku Puja to Anjaneya Swamy 8.00 pm – Every Saturday