Diwali --- The festival of lights is celebrated in Karthika masa (month) of the Hindu calendar to commemorate the victory of good over the evil.
The festival is celebrated for 3 days: Naraka Chaturdashi, Mahalaxmi pooja, and Bali pratipada.
The first day is marked for the killing of the daemon Naraka Sura in the hands of Krishna and Satyabhama. The event is marked by the oil bath using the holy Ganges water. Later, having eatery like Holige prepared at home.
The second day is marked by the Mahalaxmi pooja. During this day, the coconut pot is saree-draped and decorated to look like Mahalaxmi. The pot is decorated with flower garland and accessories.
Home prepared food and sweets are offered to the goddess.
New dresses are worn by the family and crackers are burst with joy and pomp.
Two of the most significant aspects of this day include: cash worship and shop decoration.
The cash is worshipped at houses and shops during the evening hours to bring in more prosperity for the rest of the year. On this day, the shops are decorated with flower garlands and near and dear ones assemble for the pooja which happens during the evening.
Many of the custom dishes of this day include: Shavige payasa (Vermicelli Pudding), Holige and Shekarane, and Shavanagi Payasa (Wheat-flour taped pudding). These dishes prepared in the morning will be consumed during night before bursting the crackers.
Lord Vishnu, disguised as Vamana (small boy) comes to visit Bali, who was occupied in giving Bikshas to his citizens.
Vamana asks for three steps from Bali who agreed to the request. Vamana grew so huge and placed the first step to cover the entire Land, the second step to cover the entire universe, and asked Bali where to put the third step.
Bali realized that Vamana was Lord Vishnu and asked him to place the third step up on his head. Vamana put his third step and suppressed him to under ground.
Due to the Bhakti of Bali, Vishnu blesses Bali to return to the ground on this day and bless the people.
People believe that Bali is alive and returns to the surface.
Another most significant aspect of the 3rd day is ancestor worship where the prepared Naivedya is offered to please the ancestors. This can be resembled to the Thanksgiving Day celebrated in the European countries.
10. Bali Pratipada November 15, 2023
14 NOVEMBER 2023
Lord Vishnu came in Vamana (small boy) Avatar
(reincarnation)
Bali – Daemon King
Vindyavalli – Wife
Bali and his wife performing yagna (fire worship) overseen by
a Rishi (sage).
11. 3 Steps
• 1st step covering the entire earth
• 2nd step covering the entire universe
• 3rd step on Bali’s head
12. Ancestor Worship
• Sand Art (Rangoli)
• Pot
• Coconut
• Turban/Saree Draping
• Flower Decoration
• Fruits and Prepared
Dishes for Naivedya
• Clothes
• Aarti (Fire Light
ceremony)
• Agarbathi (Incense
Stick) ceremony
