DEEPAWALI

Deepawali or Diwali is the festival of lights and is one of the most celebrated festivals of the year. As described in the Hindu epic Ramayana, this is the day Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya after spending 14 years in the forest. In addition to this, it is also believed that Goddess Lakshmi was born during the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) on this day. Therefore, Goddess Lakshmi is the most significant deity during Diwali Puja.
This is one of the major festivals of Hindus, which is celebrated across the country with great grandeur and enthusiasm. Deepawali is the festival of joy and happiness. Diwali festival is celebrated on Amavasya Tithi of Kartik Month.
Chhoti Diwali or Narak Chaturdashi is usually observed a day before Diwali.
Narak Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali is traced back to the story of King Naraksura –
Once Narakasura attacked the heavens to get hold of the army of elephants of Lord Indra. he defeated Lord Indra and snatched away the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi who was not only the ruler of Suraloka but also a relative of Lord Krishna’s wife, Satyabhama. Narakasur also imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of Gods and saints of marriageable age in his harem, and planned to marry them. This created chaos everywhere.
Indra being helpless before the demon, immediately went to Lord Krishna to ask for help. Narakasura had a boon that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. In order to fulfill both his duties as a friend and as a husband he took Satyabhama at the battlefield. Satyabhama, was the reincarnation of Bhudevi, he made her his charioteer in the battle with Narakasura. Lord Krishna set for the fort of Narakasura. His grand fort was guarded by a five headed demon Mura. With his flying discus, Krishna beheaded Mura and then challenged Narakasura to come to fight on the battlefield. When Krishna fell unconscious after being hit by an arrow of Narakasura, Satyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Narakasura, killing him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhoomi Devi. Narakasura was killed and his son Bhagdatta was taken by Krishna under his supervision on the request of Bhoomi Devi.In order to save all those imprisoned ladies from embarrassment Lord Krishna accepted them all as his wives. As a symbol of the victory over Narakasur, Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with this demon king’s blood. Then Lord Krishna returned home with his new wives early morning of the Naraka Chaturdasi day. The womenfolk massaged scented oil to his body and gave him a good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since then, there is a custom to take bath before sunrise on the day of Naraka Chaturdasi. It is said that the mother of the Narakasura, Bhoomi Devi, declared that the death of her son should not be a day of mourning but an occasion for celebrations. Since then people celebrate Choti Diwali with joy and fun every year.
The killing of Narakasura again takes us to the message that it is inevitable for virtue and truth to win over vice and evil. The same message Lord Rama portrayed by killing Ravana. Bhoomi Devi herself was happy of the killing of her Son. The message of Narakasura Chaturdashi Parva is that the good of society should always prevail over one’s own personal bonds. The Narakasura Vadh by Satyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they step in to the wrong path.
People, on this day, get together to celebrate it with their near and dear ones.
You can easily avoid loneliness by planning one nice thing for yourself for each day of Diwali. start with declutter, decorate your home, bright colors work wonders on mood therapy, celebrate with orphan homes – you could bring a smile to someone’s face, read a good book. Create opportunities to celebrate with others.
Cultivate a gratitude practice by focusing on the positive aspects of your life.
Practicing mindfulness through activities such as meditation, or deep breathing and yoga exercises. Finally, the festive season also offers an opportunity to learn more about your personal feelings and needs.