raditionally, Diwali is four days of celebration. Beginning with Dhantraiyodashi, little clay lamps are lit as an offering to God to ward off evil spirits and to usher prosperity.
The second day is Narak Chaturdashi. It was on this day that the evil demon Naraksura was slayed by Lord Krishna.
Laxmi Pujan is celebrated on the third day when the family gets together to pray and thanks God for all the blessings of the previous year. This is also to welcome the new year the following day, when businessmen start new account books. Families visit relatives and friends and exchange gifts and sweets. It is an auspicious day for new beginnings and also marks the beginning of the wedding season.
Laxmi Pujan this year is on October 21.
The fourth day is called Bhai Dooj (Hindi) or Bhau Beej Marathi).
Women celebrate their love for their brothers by putting an auspicious tilak (made from vermilion or sandalwood paste) on their brothers' foreheads. They also bless their younger brothers and perform an aarti for them for protecting them. Sisters are lavished with gifts from their brothers.
This year Mumbai's markets are overflowing with Diwali shoppers. Traffic jams have become a norm in these areas way past midnight.
Greeting card shops have also been doing brisk business with the increase in the overseas Indian population.
Image: A Mumbai street packed with Diwali shoppers.
Photograph: Sanjay Sawant
Also See:
Healthy Diwali Recipes
Diwali Bazaars
The lighter side of Diwali
Shubha Deepawali
How will you spend Diwali?
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