The biggest festival in India, Diwali is celebrated for five days in India. During these five days, people get together with families and friends and perform several rituals on each day. This festival involves every Indian barring their caste, community or age. For kids, the celebration means lots of sweets & snacks; for young generation, Diwali brings a long vacation to hang out with friends & loved ones and for elderly, this is the time to mingle with relatives and perform religious ceremonies.
Dhanteras/ DHANTRAYODASHI
Diwali means a festival of lights and diyas. During this day people burst crackers outside their houses and show happiness. They also go to each other homes and wish them Diwali greetings. Before Diwali comes Dhanteras. Dhanteras 2013 is on 11th November and on this day people buy gold
jewellery or some gold coins, bangles, chains or anything small, it is said that if you buy gold or spend money on Dhanteras goddess Laskhmi will bring prosperity to your home throughout the year. You can also send
Dhanteras gifts to your friends like buy some good and expensive gifts and send them to celebrate Diwali.
Chhoti Diwali/Narak Chaturdashi
Kali Chaudas 2013 falls on 2nd November and it falls on the 14th day, on this day people worship goddess Mahakali in order to remove laziness and evil from our lives and bring happiness and shine. This day is also called Chhoti Diwali and people on this day send Chhoti Diwali gifts to their friends and relatives. It is said that Kali Chaudas is celebrated as on this day Mahakali killed Narak Chaturdashi. On this day, people perform Pooja in Mahakali temple with oil, flowers and also put coconut oil on Hanumanji. Some people also apply kajal in order to eradicate the evil look.
Laxmi Puja on Diwali
Diwali 2013 falls on 3rd November this year and on this day people in India have 5 days official holidays from their work. On the day of Diwali, people and children get up early from bed and perform Diwali Pooja with flowers and light ghee diyas in their houses and balcony. They also bust crackers eat delicious sweets, and home-made chocolates. Go out for shopping. Some people also plan their Diwali vacation out of station or abroad. Children also have 15 to 20 days Diwali vacation so that they can enjoy their vacation to the fullest. This is how they celebrate Diwali in India.
Govardhan Puja/New Year
After Diwali comes New Year 2013 the very next day of Diwali i.e 4th November. On this day people and children wake up early perform Diwali Pooja and wear new clothes and go to their friends and families house to greet them best wishes. They also take New Year gifts like sweets, chocolates, cakes and other gifts. On this day they also have lunch with friends and families in some good hotels or also conduct a small get tighter at their place. Variety of food and home-made sweets are made on this day in order to serve the guests. Even all sweet marts are found full of people buying plenty of sweets and other snacks.
Bhai Dooj
On this day all sisters invite their brothers for lunch or dinner at their place in order to celebrate Bhai Dooj 2013. They also send Bhai Dooj gifts to their brothers if they are staying abroad. On this day, all sisters pray for the well being and good health of their brothers. Also if you have no brothers then you can also send some unique and exclusive gifts for your cousin brothers in order to greet those best wishes and long life.
