Q: So much of spendings, sweets, fireworks, new cloths, greeting, meeting friend & relatives. Why all this in one single day.
A: The festival marks the victory of good over evil. The Sanskrit word Deepavali means array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. As the knowledge of Sanskrit diminished, the name was popularly modified to Diwali, especially in northern India. On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes, share sweets and light firecrackers. The North Indian business community usually starts their financial new year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day. Hindus find cause to celebrate this festival for different reasons: * As per sacred texts, according to Skandha Purana, the goddess Shakti observed 21 days of austerity starting from ashtami of shukla paksha (waxing period of moon) to get half part of the body of Lord Shiva. This vrata is known as kedhara vrata. Deepavali is the completion day of this austerity. This is the day Lord Shiva accepted Shakti into the left half of the form and appeared as Ardhanarishvara. The ardent devotees observe this 21 days vrata by making a kalasha with 21 threads on it and 21 types of offerings for 35 days. The final day is celebrated as kedhara gauri vrata.
Related items
- diwali this year is on 21st or 22nd october?
- Why are dry fruits gifted during diwali? do they have significance with respect to the function?
- How long have firecrackers been associted with diwali? and wat is their significance?
- How did lanterns originate? How is it related to Diwali in India?
- diwali gretting?