Importance of the Five Days of Diwali: Each day represents a unique theme—starting with Dhanteras for wealth, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi for cleansing, Diwali for light, Govardhan Puja for gratitude, and Bhai Dooj for celebrating sibling bonds and protection.
Importance of the Five Days of Diwali
One of the most commonly observed holidays in India is Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights. Joy, prosperity, and spiritual rejuvenation are all embodied in this event. Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, wisdom over ignorance, and good over evil throughout a five-day period. Each of Diwali’s five days holds a unique meaning and features rich mythology, culture, and custom.
In 2024, Importance of the Five Days of Diwali celebrations would start on October 29 and go through November 2. There will be religious rituals, lavish feasts, and festive get-togethers during the course of these five days. By examining the myths, customs, and practices of each day, this blog will guide you through the significance of these five days.
Day 1: Dhanteras
Date of Celebration in 2024: 29th October, 2024
The auspicious festival of Dhanteras, observed on the thirteenth day of the waning moon in Kartik, marks the start of Diwali’s five-day celebration. “Dhan” (wealth) and “Teras” (thirteenth day) are the sources of the name Dhanteras. The significance of the day stems from the belief that buying gold, silver, and other costly commodities on this day will bring luck and wealth all year long. For Hindus, this day is particularly significant since it initiates the five-day Diwali celebration, which is devoted to prosperity, health, and wealth. Families perform ceremonies on Dhanteras to honor Lord Dhanvantari, the Ayurvedic and health deity, as well as Goddess Lakshmi.
Story Behind the Celebration: People celebrate Dhanteras for longevity and good health, inspired by the legend of Lord Dhanvantari, who brought the elixir of immortality during the churning of the sea.
Yama, the deity of death, became blinded and left without his life when King Hima’s son, who was supposed to perish from a snake bite, was spared by his wife’s jewelry and lamps.
Traditions and Rituals: Houses are cleaned and embellished for Lakshmi Puja, and oil lamps are lit to ward off evil. Investing in expensive goods signifies success for the future year. In the evening, devotees hold Lakshmi Puja and offer prayers for prosperity and well-being.
Festive Delicacies: Dhanteras celebrations revolve around food, just like other festivals that take place throughout the course of the five days of Diwali. Commonly made and consumed with family and friends are traditional foods like laddoos, puran poli, and kheer, a sweet rice pudding. As part of the ceremonies, these foods are also offered to the gods.
Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)
Date of Celebration in 2024: 30th October, 2024
Choti Diwali, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, is the second day of the Importance of the Five Days of Diwali celebration. One of the most important days of the five-day Diwali festival, this day falls on the fourteenth day of the waning moon in the month of Kartik and represents the triumph of good over evil. This day’s tale revolves around Lord Krishna’s conquest of the demon Narakasura, signifying the triumph of justice over sin and light over darkness.
Story Behind the Celebration: Naraka Chaturdashi commemorates the story of Narakasura, a demon who wreaked havoc and abducted women, as a day to purge the Earth of sin and negativity.
In South India, people celebrate Abhyanga Snan, a pre-dawn bath that is believed to cleanse the body and soul of past sins, on Naraka Chaturdashi.
Traditions and Rituals: In India, the Abhyanga Snan ceremony, clay lights, vibrant rangoli designs, and firecracker igniting all commemorate Choti Diwali, an auspicious day. Along with distributing presents and sweets, it also entails praying to Lord Krishna for protection.
Festive Delicacies: Families enjoy regionally specific festival meals on Naraka Chaturdashi. Many South Indian homes cook and enjoy dishes like Mysore Pak, a rich dessert made with ghee and gram flour, and Adirasam, a traditional sweet made with rice flour and jaggery. Poha and sweets like Laddoos and Barfi are common snacks in Maharashtra.
Day 3: Diwali (Main Day)
Date of Celebration in 2024: 31st October, 2024
The third day of the Diwali festival, often called Diwali or Deepavali, holds great significance and attracts widespread observance. This day celebrates the Festival of Lights, known for its colorful displays of firecrackers, oil lamps (diyas), and devotion to Goddess Lakshmi. Diwali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness in the spiritual rea
Story Behind the Celebration: The festival of Diwali, observed in honor of Lord Rama, his brother Lakshmana, and his wife Sita, represents Rama’s triumph over Ravana and his return home, symbolizing a prosperous life.
Traditions and Rituals: Lakshmi Puja, firecracker lighting, and home illumination commemorate the arrival of peace and joy on Diwali, a significant day in Indian culture.
Families give gifts and sweets with neighbors and family members as part of the joyous celebration of puja and rangoli designs in homes, which welcome guests and Goddess Lakshmi.
Festive Delicacies: A big highlight of Diwali is the food, with families preparing it in a variety of traditional ways. Practically every home makes sweets like kaju katli, gulab jamun, and laddoos.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja
Date of Celebration in 2024: 1st November, 2024
Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut, is the fourth day of the five-day Diwali celebration. Being a day of communal feasting and thanks, Govardhan Puja has particular meaning. It honors the connection between people, the natural world, and God. The event, which is associated with agricultural traditions, is mostly celebrated in Northern India. People give thanks to Lord Krishna on this day for protecting their houses and crops.
Story Behind the Celebration: In Northern India, Govardhan Puja, the fourth day of Diwali celebration, is a time for communal eating and thankfulness that honors the connection between people, the natural world, and the holy.
For some Hindu communities, especially in Gujarat, this day also marks the start of the new year, observed as the Gujarati New Year. In the context of the five days of Diwali, it stands for gratitude, protection, and rebirth.
Traditions and Rituals: Govardhan Puja involves creating a mound of food, Annakut, symbolizing Mount Govardhan, offered to Lord Krishna and distributed among family and community, symbolizing abundance and gratitude.
Devotees worship cows and other cattle in rural areas by celebrating with large feasts, blessing-exchanging visits, diyas, and rangolis.
Festive Delicacies: Govardhan Puja celebrations in Annakut focus on food, offering vegetarian dishes like rice, lentils, chapatis, sweets, and seasonal vegetables. Special delicacies like Dhokla, Kadhi, and Thepla are common in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj
Date of Celebration in 2024: 2nd November, 2024
Bhai Dooj, a holiday that honors the sacred link between brothers and sisters, is the last day of the five-day Diwali celebration. Bhai Dooj, celebrated on the second day after Diwali, often draws comparisons to Raksha Bandhan due to its strong emphasis on sibling connections. Moreover, this day forms an integral part of the five-day Diwali celebration, highlighting its significance in the broader festive context. Consequently, Bhai Dooj holds a special place in families’ hearts, fostering love and gratitude among siblings as they come together to cherish their unique bonds.
Story Behind the Celebration: Hindus celebrate Bhai Dooj, a holiday deeply rooted in the story of Lord Yama and his sister Yami, with brothers and sisters honoring their bond. During this festive occasion, families engage in a tilak ceremony and offer special prayers, promising longevity and safety for their brothers. Moreover, the significance of Bhai Dooj lies not only in the rituals but also in the love and hospitality that brothers extend to their sisters, reinforcing the importance of family ties and shared traditions.
Lord Krishna is linked to another well-known mythology. Following his triumph over the demon Narakasura, Krishna went to see his sister Subhadra, who celebrated his return by applying a tilak on his forehead and greeting him with an aarti. Modern times have seen the continuation of this tradition.
Traditions and Rituals: In the custom of Bhai Dooj, sisters send their brothers presents and a festive dinner in addition to doing aarti for them, signifying prayers for their protection and well-being.
Festive Delicacies: Bhai Dooj in North Indian homes involves savory appetizers like Puris and Halwa prepared by sisters, along with sweet treats like Peda, Laddoos, and Kheer.
Best Places in India to witness the 5 Days of Diwali
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: During the Importance of the Five Days of Diwali celebrations, Varanasi, which is located on the banks of the Ganges River, serves as a center of spiritual activity. During the Ganga Aarti, thousands of oil lamps, or diyas, float on the river, illuminating the city and producing a stunning spectacle. On Diwali night, lights and pyrotechnics illuminate temples and ghats, bringing the spiritual fervor to its peak.
- Jaipur, Rajasthan: Diwali in Jaipur is truly a sight to behold. As the Pink City transforms into a joyous fantasy, it lavishly illuminates its palaces, forts, and marketplaces. Moreover, with iconic sites like City Palace and Hawa Mahal brightly lit, the city provides an excellent opportunity to experience the significance of the Five Days of Diwali. Additionally, the vibrant celebrations and colorful decorations enhance the festive atmosphere, making Jaipur a must-visit destination during this time.
Proudly powered by Club TravelScape
