Diwali Rituals and Customs

Diwali, the festival of prosperity and joy is celebrated with much fanfare by Hindus world over. There are many legends associated with Deepavali. Each state has a different flavour to add to the festival. In this post  I will share about some rituals which should generally be performed during Diwali time. Off course, every household has a different style of celebrating but here we will follow scriptural directives to gain a more generalized and universal view of the rituals.

Diwali Cleaning : this is a compulsory annual routine followed in every house. This is because dirt is associated with Alakshmi ( goddess of misfortune). Therefore every house is cleaned or painted and made spick and span to drive out misfortune and welcome the Goddess Lakshmi .

Diwali Kandeel ( Lantern): Lighting lamps and lanterns generally starts from Ashwina Krishna Ekadashi i.e. the eleventh day of the dark fortnight of Ashwina. (Kartika Krishna Ekadashi for those following north Indian style of months). Laterns of many varied hues and electrical lights adorn houses, shops offices and roads. Even the sale of Lanterns in many areas is a sight to behold.

Vasu Baaras or Govatsa Dwadashi :
Cows have been loved and worshipped in Indian tradition since the times of yore. Legend has it that the divine wish yielding cow Surabhi was born as Devas and Asuras churned the ocean of milk for obtaining Amrta  (Nectar of immortality).  Therefore a cow with her calf is worshipped on the evening of Ashwina Krishna dwadashi.   Milk products are not eaten on that day.
Those who had cows at their home would wash them, mark them with sandalwood paste and adorn them with garlands.  Water mixed with sandalwood paste, flowers, grains of rice and sesame seeds is to  be offered on the cow’s hoof reciting the following Mantraक्षीरोदार्णावसम्भूते सुरासुर नमस्कृते |
सर्वदेवमये मातर्गृहाणार्घ्यं  नमोस्तुते ||
Born of the ocean of milk, thou art respected by Devas and Asuras alike. Embodiment of celestial Gods  art thou O Mother, I bow down to thee accept this Arghya (offering).

Offering of 5,7 or 10 dumplings of black gram (Urad Vadas) is made to the cow with the following mantras.
सुरभिस्त्वं जगन्मातर्देवि विष्णुपदे स्थिता |
सर्वदेवमये ग्रासं माया दत्तमिदं ग्रस || 
Thou art the Mother Goddess nourishing  the world O Surabhi, thou who art near the feet of Vishnu. Embodiment of celestial Gods art thou, eat this morsel of food I offer to thee.
Ghee lamps are then waved before all the cattle and also everyone in the family.

Information : Courtesy Deshpande Panchang. 

Painting courtesy : Pinterest