Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Diwali facts which you probably didn't know




Why do we worship only Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali? 

Lakshmi Puja is performed on the following day of Amavasya, the new moon  night. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi’s destroyer form is active  on this day and she will wander the earth in search of the cleanest  house to destroy negative energies and offer blessings of fortune and  prosperity.

Why do we gamble during Diwali?
It is believed that, Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord  Shiva on this day. Elated with her win, she announced that whoever  gambled on Diwali night would mint wealth throughout the year. Then  onwards, this game that has been bestowed with a boon and became a part  of Diwali festivities. Since Goddess Lakshmi is an incarnation of  Parvati, she visits earth to bestow pecuniary benefits on anyone found  gambling.

What exactly is Narka Chaturdashi?
Narka Chaturdashi, or Chhoti Diwali marks the death of demon Karkasura.  Who slaid him and why? Our very own Lord Krishna, because Narkasura had  imprisoned thousands of daughters of saints and Gods in his harem. But  why do we celebrate his death? His mother, Bhumi, declared that this day  should be a day of festivities not mourning, so there you go!

Why do we wake up before dawn and burst crackers on Narka Chaturdashi?

The slaying of Narkasura also symbolises driving away wickedness and  negative energies out of your home. Waking up at dawn, followed by a  fragrant oil massage by the matriarch of the family and then bathing is  believed to cleanse your system and your surroundings on the first  prahar (first unit of time). This is followed by crushing the fruit  karat outside your house, which symbolises Narkasura. There is no  historical or scientific explanation for why people burst crackers at  dawn. So it’s safe to assume it is only for fun!

Why do people keep a small broom in the prayer house during Diwali?
It is a popular belief that Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she  will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason why the  broom is worshipped on this day.

Cleaning the house only for Diwali – Why?

Office chi sutti for gharachi safai? While the majority of us are busy  pataoing our maids to clean houses in the pre-Diwali days, there are  house cleaning services that claim double business! Even painting jobs  are generally undertaken during this time. Well, there is a very simple  explanation for this. As mentioned earlier, Goddess Lakshmi enters only  the cleanest and the brightest homes, thus the whole show. Notice how  our lives revolve around the coming and going of Goddess Lakshmi? We are  prepared to do anything to please her, even if it is only symbolic.

Do thieves worship Goddess Kali on Diwali?
The second day of diwali, Choti Diwali, is also known as Kali Choudas  for some; a day for thieves to worship Goddess Kali in hopes that the  Hindu deity will protect them from the police. Astonished? A number of  eastern states in India follow this custom.




Earning your money and keeping it safe?
Along a similar vein, Hindu families will worship the deity Kuber, God  of wealth, on Dhanatrayodashi, popularly known as Dhanteras, which is  signified by dry coriander seeds and jaggery (dhane ani gool). Lord  Kuber guides individuals who are not good at saving money even though  they may have no problems earning it.

Source
8 Diwali Facts you Probably didn’t Know

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