Live, Laugh and Celebrate Diwali 2022 !!

Hey, It’s Diwali time !!! 🪔🪔

Do check out my last year's article about how I celebrate this amazing dazzling festival every year 😍- https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2021/11/celebrating-dazzling-deepavali.html

But to give you all some highlights, Diwali is one of my favorite festival where I do enjoy variety of homemade/ store bought lip smacking sweets and savories at least for few days during this festivities in-short a face full of sweets and a home full of diyas. 😋😋

One of the best part of Diwali is the way it can bring many people ( from North- South- East- West) together, often only at this time of year to share a feast together dressing in colorful traditional clothing with lights decorated both inside and outside of homes. Hope you all agree with me....🎆🎆

Deepavali or Diwali symbolizes "positivity" is a Sanskrit term -

Deepa - Lamps (Preferably Clay) or lights

Avali -  Row

So, its "Row of lamps/ lights" symbolizing the victory of light over darkness or victory of good over evil.

As I explained the significance of Diwali in Hindu culture in the previous article (- https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2021/11/celebrating-dazzling-deepavali.html). 

Diwali/ Deepavali is one of the biggest festivals celebrated and is celebrated for 5 days starting on the 13th day after the full moon or "Poornima" (is the word for full moon in Sanskrit).

Day 1- Dhanteras. People worship Goddess Lakshmi ( Goddess of wealth) and Lord Kubera (God of wealth).🙏

Day 2- On 14th day we celebrate Naraka Chaturdashi or "Choti" Diwali which commemorates Lord Krishna and Satyabhama's victory over the demon king Narakasura.

Day 3- On 15th day which is Amavasya (or No moon day) we celebrate Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh are worshipped everywhere. 

Day 4- On 16th day we celebrate Govardhan Puja and we worship Lord Krishna. 🌄

Day 5- On 17th day we celebrate Bhai Dooj. The word  "Bhai" meaning brother and "Dooj" meaning the 2nd day after the "new moon". This is one such festival that can define unique understanding between a brothers and a sisters.

This year for Diwali, we invited six families for evening potluck and can u all guess the theme? Well, its my favorite - a Chaat Party, we also shared sweets, gossips and finally had Chaat supper to enjoy the feeling of togetherness. I started decorating or refurbishing my home and doorways with colorful décor including Toran (which is a decorative garland hung at the entrance door- You can find it in any Indian grocery stores in International countries and in India - I'm sure majority knows where to buy festive deco items in their own cities).

Our Potluck Chaat Menu prepared by us and our friends included -(as you all can see in the photo)

1. Rooh Afza with a mix of strawberry gelatin as a welcome drink

2. Dabeli

3. Papdi Chaat

4. Vada pav

5. Pani puri

6. Gulab Jamun

7. Ravva kesari

Although, Fireworks are always a big part of Diwali festival, I believe in Eco-friendly and safe Diwali. I just light decorative diyas, candles and add string of lights inside and outdoor of my house. It's been 2 decades since I lit firecrackers to avoid the increase in spike of air pollution at least from my side. 

    

Decorative diyas can be purchased in almost all Indian grocery stores in the US and are also available on Amazon. But would also suggest to buy in India whenever you go for vacation. Tell your family members to buy during Diwali and you can pick it up when you travel to India.

 We also visited Iskcon temple which was beautifully decorated. They also had Govardhan Puja which I will write in detail in upcoming article.

There are many stories in Hindu mythology as to why we celebrate Diwali which I would definitely want to share at least few I know -

1.  As per the "Ramayana" (a remembered text), on Diwali Lord Rama, His wife Goddess Sita, His brother Lakshmana, and His ideal devotee Hanuman   returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana- the Demon King of Lanka while spending 14 years of exile in forests.

2. Lord Vishnu reincarnated as Lord Krishna defeated and killed Narakasura-  the demon king the day before Diwali. Thus the day is celebrated as 'Naraka Chaturdashi'.

3. As per the "Mahabharata" (a remembered text), Pandavas returned to their homeland after 13 years of exile. They were welcomed by their people with earthen diyas and cheers.Hope You all have a Wonderful and Prosperous Diwali. May this Diwali bring Happiness at your doorsteps.

A very Happy Diwali 2022 to you and your family!

Stay Safe friends and Have fun exploring my Blog and if possible do visit these places whenever ur free…

Until my next article ….

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