I had written this a long time ago for the kids in my family, with information from my mom, Mrs. Panna Mehta and my 2nd mom (MIL) Mrs. Usha Desai. I thought I might share it here too.
Diwali is the festival of lights. It is believed that during the days of Diwali – whoever lights lights every day – does not die during Diwali. Which means, one who has attained knowledge of life, is not afraid of death.
Diwali truly begins from Aso Vad Rama Ekadashi. It is also called Bhagwat Ekadashi. Ekadashi = 11th day of the 15 day moon cycle.
The next day is called Vagh Baras. Pooja is done of cows and calves. If you can, draw a rangoli of a tiger outside your house. Try and pay off your debts on this day. For the next few days, do not incur any debt. Baras = 12th day of the 15 day moon cycle.
The next day is called Dhan teras. Pooja is done of cattle and money. Dhan = Laxmi = wealth = money, gold, silver, etc. Teras = 13th day of the 15 day moon cycle. Do not earn money doing illegal things. Be happy with whatever you earn legally. Laxmi poojan is done so that our money is spent wisely and our money becomes pure. Laxmi is strength – having money is equal to having power. Use your hard-earned money as if it is God’s Prasad. There are other types of wealth that we have – our knowledge, our children and our culture.
The next day is Kali Chaudas. Chaudas = 14th day of the 15 day moon cycle. First god that is prayed on this day is Hanuman Dada. He gives strength to all. All over India, people also pray Mahalaxmi today. It is believed that if one rises early and bathes before sunrise on this day, he does not suffer in hell. One takes oil-bath on this day.
The next day is Diwali – which is actually Amavas = 15th day of the 15 day moon cycle = no moon day. This is the day when Laxmi emerged during the “Churning of the Ocean”. This is the day when Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan. This is the day when the Pandavas returned from their exile. People celebrate this festival with lighting deeyas. On this day, businessmen do pooja of their account books and start their accounting for the next year. Laxmi and Narayan (Vishnu) poojan is done.
The next day is New Year’s Day for Gujratis. This day is not universal all over India. Lord Krishna is where there is Dharm(religious and moral law) and Bhakti(devotion). This is the day when Vishnu bhagwan during his Vaman Avtaar asked for the charity(daan) of 3 steps and King Bali fulfilled his wish.
In mandirs, they also perform Govardhan Pooja or Annkut on this day. This is the day when Shri Krishna as a kid, had lifted the whole Govardhan mountain on his pinky finger and given shelter to the townsfolk.
Annkut = making a mountain of food. Sage Vyas had said that one who stays happy on this day, will stay happy for the whole year to come. One who stays unhappy on this day, will stay unhappy for the whole year to come.
We prepare good food on this day and serve it to God in hope that we get to eat good food for the coming year. We greet each other with Saal Mubarak. We visit our near and dear ones, feed each other good food and mithai. Gifts are exchanged with loved ones. The younger bow down to their elders and the elders bless them with love and money with great affection.
The day after Saal Mubarak day is known as Bhai Dooj. This day is celebrated as a symbol of love between brothers and sisters. On this day Yama, the god of death, visited his sister Yami. Yami put the auspicious tilak on his forehead and they exchanged gifts as a token of their love. Yama declared that anybody who receives a tilak from his sister on this day can never be defeated. Since then, sisters put a tilak on their brother's forehead on this day to protect then from all harm.
History of Sikh Community's Diwali
In the Sikh community Diwali celebrations have special importance as for them it is popular as the day when their sixth Guru, Guru Har Govind ji came back from the captivity of the fort of Gwalior city. The people lighted lamps in the way to Shri Harmandhir Sahib, which is known by the name of 'the Golden Temple', in order to honour and to welcome their beloved Guru.
History of Jain Community's Diwali
For the Jain community the festival of Diwali again has special significance. It is the day when the famous Jain prophet Bhagvaan Mahaveer, the founder of Jainism attained 'Nirvana'. Therefore the people of Jain community celebrate the festival of Diwali in remembrance of Lord Mahavira.
Labh Pancham is the 5th day after Diwali. Pancham = 5th day of the 15 day moon cycle. If for some reason, you could not do pooja of your books during Diwali, you can do it today.
Dev Diwali – is celebrated from the 11th day of Diwali till the 15th day. That is from Devprabodhini Ekadashi or Devuthi Ekadashi till Poonam. Devprabodhini Ekadashi is when Vishnu wakes up from his ocean bed.
Gujrati calendar follows the lunar cycle as it is based upon the moon. We have different names for our months and they begin and end on different dates – all depending on our Chandamama.
We call our months “maas”. I will try to match up our maas with the solar calendar months. Our maas is divided into two fortnights - the first fifteen days are Sud and the next fifteen days are Vad. Sud ends on full moon day or Poonam, whereas Vad ends on Amavas or no moon day.
I will also try to put some dos and don’ts in italics. Don’t ask me the reasons for the dos and don’ts as I do not know them. I have included them and I try to follow them as everyone I know does it too. Why – beats me!!!!
On any 14th and 15th (Sud or Vad) do not make khichdi.
Do not make khichdi on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Gujaratis are in the year 2063. As each year the dates are different, here is the calendar for 2006 - 2007:
Posh Maas – is from Dec. 21, 2006 to to Jan. 19, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Christmas, Shakambari Navratri, Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, Makar Sankranti (kite flying day).
Maha Maas – is from Jan. 20, 2007 to Feb. 17, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Vasant Panchmi, Republic Day, Death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Mahashivratri.
Fagun Maas – is from Feb. 18, 2007 to March 19, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Holashtak, Holi, Dhuleti, Shivaji Jayanti, Chaitra Navratri begins on March 19, 2007.
Chaitra Maas – is from March 20 to April 17, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Chaitra Navratri ends on 27th March, Ram Navmi on 27th March, Mahavir Swami Birthday, Hanuman Jayanti, Good Friday, Easter Sunday.
Vaishakh Maas – is from April 18 to May 16, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Akha Treej, Parshuram Jayanti, Seeta Navmi, Narsinh Jayanti, Vat Savitri Vrat.
Adhik Jeth Maas – is from May 17 to June 15, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Purshottam Maas begins on May 17.
Second Jeth Maas - is from June 16 to July 14, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Gayatri Jayanti.
Ashad Maas – is from July 15 to Aug. 12, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Ashadi Beej, Jaya Parvati Vrat, Guru Purnima, Hindola.
Shravan Maas – is from Aug. 13 to Sept. 11, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Shiv Mahapoojan, Hariyali Treej, Independence Day, Naag Panchmi, Randhan Chhat, Sheetla Satam, Raksha-bandhan, Phool-Kajli Vrat, Janmashtami, Nand Mahotsav.
Bhadarvo Maas – is from Sept. 12 to Oct. 11, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Kevda Treej, Haritalika, Ganesh Maha Utsav, Gauri Poojan, Anant Chaudas, Shradh begins on Sept 27 and ends on Oct. 11, 2007.
Aaso Maas – is from Oct. 12 to Nov. 9, 2007. The festivals/important days that come during this month are: Sharad Navrati, Saraswati Poojan, Mahanavmi, Dasera, Sharad Poornima, Karva Chauth, Sardar Patel Jayanti, Rama Ekadashi, Vagh Baras, Dhanteras, Kali Chaudas, Diwali.
Kartak Maas – was from Oct. 23 to Nov. 20, 2006. The festivals/important days that came during this month are: Gujarati New Year, Bhai Beej, Labh Pacham, Tulsi Vivah, Dev Diwali, Children's Day, Nehru Jayanti, Death anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai.
Maghshar Maas – was from Nov. 21 to Dec. 20, 2006. The festivals/important days that came during this month are: Annapoorna Vrat, Geeta Jayanti, Dattatray Jayanti, Saubhagya Sundari Vrat, Pashvanath Jayanti.
As our New Year begins in Kartak maas; our Gujrati calendar is:
Kartak
Magshar
Posh
Maha
Fagun
Chaitra
Vaishakh
Jeth
Ashad
Shravan
Bhadarvo
Aaso
We also have something called “Dhanur Maas” – where no auspicious things – like marriage, etc are not performed. The goal is to not spend time in doing worldly things – but spend your time doing prayers, etc.
