When is diwali 2007?
10.14.04 (5:47 am) [edit]
[b]Diwali 2007 [/b]is going to be [b]celebrated on November 9th[/b]. It is high time you started preparing for it. Why do you want to dither until the last moment, when panic might set in, or some contingencies would deter you from devoting enough time towards preparing for it? After all, [b]Diwali[/b] is the definitive festival for gaiety in India. Dresses and crackers have to be bought, then there will be a whole wish list from family members on the special things that they would like to have for this all-special occasion. You would definitely need a road map for such a big occasion. So check online for the best offers available in town or online. Have a great [b]Diwali[/b].
Diwali 2006
10.14.04 (5:45 am) [edit]
When is diwali 2006?
Diwali 2006 (festival of lights) is on October 21st
What is it about this festival that inspires enthusiasm in people of all age groups? [b]Deepavali[/b] is all too pervasive even in India’s films, the staple entertainment for an average middle-class Indian. In Hindi films, [b]Diwali[/b] is interspersed in that part of the narrative where the going is good. Well, the answer is in the gleeful faces holding sparklers, the typical Indian joint families getting together dressed in their best clothes so on and so forth.
But lest we forget, it is also a New Year for most of the [b]North Indians and Gujarathis[/b]. They start new ventures afresh from that day onwards. Western visitors coming to India during this time remark tongue-in-cheek that a battleground atmosphere is recreated.
Diwali 2005 is going to bring peace and harmony as ever before. Be the world a better place for everybody. Visit here for Diwali 2006 details.
Diwali 2006 (festival of lights) is on October 21st
What is it about this festival that inspires enthusiasm in people of all age groups? [b]Deepavali[/b] is all too pervasive even in India’s films, the staple entertainment for an average middle-class Indian. In Hindi films, [b]Diwali[/b] is interspersed in that part of the narrative where the going is good. Well, the answer is in the gleeful faces holding sparklers, the typical Indian joint families getting together dressed in their best clothes so on and so forth.
But lest we forget, it is also a New Year for most of the [b]North Indians and Gujarathis[/b]. They start new ventures afresh from that day onwards. Western visitors coming to India during this time remark tongue-in-cheek that a battleground atmosphere is recreated.
Diwali 2005 is going to bring peace and harmony as ever before. Be the world a better place for everybody. Visit here for Diwali 2006 details.
Dhanteras gifts tradition and its history/legend
10.12.04 (5:05 am) [edit]
[b]Dhanteras[/b] known also as Dhantrayodashi takes place on the thirteenth day of the Ashwin masa, two days prior to Diwali. It is celebrated to revere Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
According to a legend, Sage Durvasa was enraged with Lord Indra, when the latter did not notice him. He cursed Indra due to which Lord Lakshmi deserted him and he was bereft of wealth and prosperity. He started feeling miserable and the morale of the inhabitants of heaven touched a new low. For demons (asuras), this was the kind of opportune moment they were waiting for to get back at their rivals. They invaded heaven and unseated Indra. Indra had to flee away from heaven.
For quite a few years demons ruled over the heaven. At this time, Indra's teacher Brihaspati sought the help of Brahma. Brahma went to Vishnu acting as an emissary for gods. Vishnu asked to churn the oceans and thereby gain the friendship of the demons. He also suggested that Mandara Mountain could be used as a churning rod, while Vasuki, the king of the serpents would aid them as a rope. The resultant mixture would be ambrosia (amrut) which would make gods immortal, when drunk by them. He assured them assistance in this endeavour and even volunteered to come to their aid when necessary. He also assured them that goddess Lakshmi would reappear again.
Brihaspati shrewdly managed to strike a friendship with the demons who were hoping to get ambrosia and wealth. The churning process was put in motion. Kalakuta, a dreadful poison was produced during this process. However, Lord Shiva came to the rescue by drinking it. This process caused Apsara damsels to be born. Suddenly, a goddess Lakshmi standing on a lotus appeared. The king of the sea also emerged in his original form and accepted Lakshmi as his daughter.
Finally Dhanavantri appeared with the jug of ambrosia in her hand. Demons and Gods both hankered after the ambrosia, but Vishnu managed to pass it on to the Gods. Gods drank it and defeated the Asuras.
Therefore, Dhanteras is celebrated in honor of Dhanavantri. Dhanteras is also celebrated in reverence of Laxmi.
According to a legend, Sage Durvasa was enraged with Lord Indra, when the latter did not notice him. He cursed Indra due to which Lord Lakshmi deserted him and he was bereft of wealth and prosperity. He started feeling miserable and the morale of the inhabitants of heaven touched a new low. For demons (asuras), this was the kind of opportune moment they were waiting for to get back at their rivals. They invaded heaven and unseated Indra. Indra had to flee away from heaven.
For quite a few years demons ruled over the heaven. At this time, Indra's teacher Brihaspati sought the help of Brahma. Brahma went to Vishnu acting as an emissary for gods. Vishnu asked to churn the oceans and thereby gain the friendship of the demons. He also suggested that Mandara Mountain could be used as a churning rod, while Vasuki, the king of the serpents would aid them as a rope. The resultant mixture would be ambrosia (amrut) which would make gods immortal, when drunk by them. He assured them assistance in this endeavour and even volunteered to come to their aid when necessary. He also assured them that goddess Lakshmi would reappear again.
Brihaspati shrewdly managed to strike a friendship with the demons who were hoping to get ambrosia and wealth. The churning process was put in motion. Kalakuta, a dreadful poison was produced during this process. However, Lord Shiva came to the rescue by drinking it. This process caused Apsara damsels to be born. Suddenly, a goddess Lakshmi standing on a lotus appeared. The king of the sea also emerged in his original form and accepted Lakshmi as his daughter.
Finally Dhanavantri appeared with the jug of ambrosia in her hand. Demons and Gods both hankered after the ambrosia, but Vishnu managed to pass it on to the Gods. Gods drank it and defeated the Asuras.
Therefore, Dhanteras is celebrated in honor of Dhanavantri. Dhanteras is also celebrated in reverence of Laxmi.
Dhanteras gifts tradition in India
10.12.04 (5:02 am) [edit]
Dhanteras is celebrated in honor of Dhanavantri. Dhanteras is also celebrated in reverence of Laxmi.
[b]Dhanteras[/b] is regarded as an auspicious day to buy gold or silver articles. It is also auspicious for commencing new ventures.
Exchanging [b]Dhanteras gifts [/b]is an extremely popular tradition. Popular gifts for Dhanteras include Silver Coins, Sweets and so on.
In North India one has to buy some gifts on this day even if that is a spoon. So it is a big time for shops which capitalize on this ocassion just before diwali and people too come in thousands to buy [b]Dhanteras gifts [/b]on this day.
[b]Dhanteras[/b] is regarded as an auspicious day to buy gold or silver articles. It is also auspicious for commencing new ventures.
Exchanging [b]Dhanteras gifts [/b]is an extremely popular tradition. Popular gifts for Dhanteras include Silver Coins, Sweets and so on.
In North India one has to buy some gifts on this day even if that is a spoon. So it is a big time for shops which capitalize on this ocassion just before diwali and people too come in thousands to buy [b]Dhanteras gifts [/b]on this day.