दीपावली

Diwali (Deepavali)

5 days · Lakshmi, Ganesha, Rama, Kubera · pan-india, diaspora

When: Kartik Amavasya (October-November)

The Story

Multiple stories: (1) Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and Ravana's defeat; (2) Lakshmi emerging from samudra-manthan; (3) Krishna defeating Narakasura; (4) Vamana confining Bali; (5) Mahavira's nirvana (Jain tradition).

Five-Day Cycle

1
Dhanteras (Dhanvantari Trayodashi)
Kartik krishna trayodashi
Buying gold/silver/utensils; worship of Dhanvantari (Ayurveda) and Kubera
2
Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)
Kartik krishna chaturdashi
Pre-dawn oil bath; commemorates Krishna's killing of Narakasura
3
Lakshmi Puja / Diwali
Kartik amavasya
Main night — Lakshmi-Ganesha puja; lighting of diyas; firecrackers
4
Govardhan Puja / Annakut
Kartik shukla pratipada
Krishna lifting Govardhan hill; 56-bhog offering; new year for many businesses
5
Bhai Dooj / Yama Dvitiya
Kartik shukla dvitiya
Brother-sister bond; sister's tilak and prayers for brother's long life

Vidhi · How It's Done

Clean and decorate the home (especially the puja room and entrance)
Make rangoli at the entrance
Light diyas and place around the house
On Lakshmi Puja night: install Lakshmi-Ganesha murtis, perform shodashopachara puja with kumkum, akshat, flowers, naivedya (sweets, kheer, makhana)
Recite Sri Suktam, Lakshmi Ashtottara, Lakshmi Ashtakam, Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
Open new account books / Chopda Pujan (in Gujarati tradition)
Distribute sweets, light fireworks, exchange gifts

Key Mantras

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः
Sri Suktam (Rig Veda Khila)
Lakshmi Ashtottara

Bhog · Festival Foods

Kheer · Modak · Karanji · Mathri · Chakli · Besan ladoo · Boondi ladoo · Mathura peda

Regional Variants

· Bengal: Kali Puja on Diwali night instead of Lakshmi Puja
· Karnataka/Andhra: Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day
· Gujarat: Chopda Pujan and Bestu Varas (new year on Govardhan day)
· South India: focuses on Naraka Chaturdashi pre-dawn ritual
· Sikh: Bandi Chhor Divas (release of Guru Hargobind from Gwalior)
· Jain: Mahavira's nirvana

Sources: Skanda Purāṇa · Padma Purāṇa · Bhaviṣya Purāṇa · Nirṇaya Sindhu · Awaiting scholar verification.

Composing…

Five-Day Cycle

Dhanteras (Dhanvantari Trayodashi)

Kartik krishna trayodashi

Buying gold/silver/utensils; worship of Dhanvantari (Ayurveda) and Kubera

Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)

Kartik krishna chaturdashi

Pre-dawn oil bath; commemorates Krishna's killing of Narakasura

Lakshmi Puja / Diwali

Kartik amavasya

Main night — Lakshmi-Ganesha puja; lighting of diyas; firecrackers

Govardhan Puja / Annakut

Kartik shukla pratipada

Krishna lifting Govardhan hill; 56-bhog offering; new year for many businesses

Bhai Dooj / Yama Dvitiya

Kartik shukla dvitiya

Brother-sister bond; sister's tilak and prayers for brother's long life

Vidhi · How It's Done

Clean and decorate the home (especially the puja room and entrance)

Make rangoli at the entrance

Light diyas and place around the house

On Lakshmi Puja night: install Lakshmi-Ganesha murtis, perform shodashopachara puja with kumkum, akshat, flowers, naivedya (sweets, kheer, makhana)

Recite Sri Suktam, Lakshmi Ashtottara, Lakshmi Ashtakam, Mahalakshmi Ashtakam

Open new account books / Chopda Pujan (in Gujarati tradition)

Distribute sweets, light fireworks, exchange gifts

Regional Variants

· Bengal: Kali Puja on Diwali night instead of Lakshmi Puja

· Karnataka/Andhra: Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day

· Gujarat: Chopda Pujan and Bestu Varas (new year on Govardhan day)

· South India: focuses on Naraka Chaturdashi pre-dawn ritual

· Sikh: Bandi Chhor Divas (release of Guru Hargobind from Gwalior)

· Jain: Mahavira's nirvana