Namaste,

I wish all of HDF a wonderful Deepavali (Diwali) with family and friends!

Long ago, I read somewhere that Diwali is one of the most auspicious day for spiritual practices! It was written that spiritual practices on the Diwali day are equal to spiritual practices performed on 1000 eclipse days! (Each eclipse day is a highly potent day for spiritual practices by itself).

So let us all concentrate a few moments of our special day, contemplating, thanking, praying to the divine!

The 6 days of Diwali:


  • Vasubaras(a celebration held in the honour of cows): It falls on the 12th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Ashwin. This is celebrated on one day before the 1st day of Diwali. On this day, cow is worshipped along with her calf.
  • Dhanatrayodashī (or Dhanteras): It falls on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Ashwin. Dhanteras is very important for people who do business as they worship their treasuries on this day, and Āyurvēdicdoctors (vaidyas) who worship Deity Dhanvantari on this day.
  • Narakchaturdashī:It falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Ashwin. This dayhas been celebrated ever since Shrīkrushna slayed the evil demon Narakasur.
  • Lakshmipūjan:It falls on the new moon day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Ashwin. On this day, rituals worshipping Goddess Lakshmī (the Goddess of Wealth) are undertaken to drive off poverty (Alakshmi).
  • Balipratipadā:It falls on the 1st day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Kārtik. It is celebrated to symbolise Deity Vishnu’s conquest over the demon king, Bali.
  • Bhaubij or Yamadwitiya (also called as bhai duj): It is celebrated on the 2nd day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Kārtik and comes after the 4th day of Diwali. This festival is celebrated as a symbol of Divine bond of love between brother and sister. On this day, Shrīkrushna slayed the evil demon Shakatasur and liberated many women from the demon’s clutches.

Pranam,

Viraja