The celebration of the festivities of Diwali/Dipavali, the festival of lights, vary from region to region. While the underlying concept of Diwali is the same, i.e., the victory of Good over Evil, the Darkness of life paving way for Light and Ignorance leaving space to Knowledge. With warmer days turning into a mild winter, the fun-filled Dipavali, is celebrated for five days from Krishna Chaturdashi to Kaartik Shukla Dwiteeya. So traditionally Diwali, is not a single day festival, but is a part of a "Five Days Festival Package".
Each of these five days is celebrated for a specific purpose, and in a specific way. This starts two days before Diwali and continue till two days after Diwali. As per the Hindu Calendar this is from the teras of Kartika Krishna Paksha, and continues till the Dwitiya of Kartika Shukla Paksha. Diwali is observed by Hindus, Sikhs & Jains, with the same enthusiasm, fervor and joy.
1. Teras
2. Chaudas
3. Amavasya (Diwali/Dipavali)
4. Pratipada
5. Dwitiya
Preparations for Diwali
Days before Diwali, people start decorating their homes, preparing sweets, light up their homes with colorful lights, buy new clothes & Jewelry. But in some Indian regions the rituals of Diwali starts off two days before Danteras, i.e., the first day of Diwali. Such festival are:
Agyaras: The Patels and the Vaishnavs begin their Diwali celebrations before Dhan Teras, on the 11th day of Ashwin. The day is devoted to preparing the choicest snacks and savories.
Wagh Baras: This day signifies the importance of women in society. Women in the house are worshiped and they buy new clothes and jewelry.
The festival of the first Day- Dhan-Teras
Throughout India, the first day of Diwali is widely known as Dhanteras. This day is celebrated to revere Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods, and Goddess Laxmi. Dhanteras is also known by various other names such as:
Dhanatrayodashi: Dhantrayodashi a special ritual is accomplished which is called Deepdaan. In it lamps are lit for every individual in the family and the forefathers and ancestors and they are floated in a river or pond.
Yamadeepdaan: In India, the festival of Dhanteras is also known as Yamadeepdaan. This name is associated with son of King Hima who was doomed to die at the age of sixteenth year. The Yama did come to take his life but the dedication of his young wife made Yama, the God of Death, return back.
Dhan- Teras: On Dhan Teras, fast is kept and the worship is done by lighting an earthen lamp on the main entrance of the house and offering water, vermilion, rice, jaggery and flowers to Yamaraj.
Asweyuja Bahula Thrayodasi / Dhantheran: In few South Indian States this festival is known as Asweyuja Bahula Thrayodasi or Dhantheran. This day is marked by buying new utensils and silver/gold items.
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