India is a land of festivals, where every other day is a celebration with different events and significance. The five-day festival of Diwali is one of the most popular Indian festivals, which is celebrated worldwide. These five days are Dhanteras , Narak Chaturdashi , Diwali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. Let’s discuss about the significance and the process of celebration of each of these five festivals.
Day 1: Dhanteras: The Beginning of Prosperity
Ūrnakṛuṣhṇa trayodashyā mekabhaktah samāhitah ॥
Pradoṣhe tailadīpan tu prajvālyābhyarchya annatah ॥
Gṛuhadvāre bahirdadyādyamo me prīyatāmiti ॥
Evan kṛute tu vizeandra yamapīḍā n jāyate ॥
-Narad Puran 122.46-47
Here, Narad Puran says, on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of the lunar month of Kartik. One should light an oil lamp and keep it outside the front door of the house while saying, “May Yama be pleased with me." By doing this, one is not afflicted by Yama, the god of death.
dhanvantarir dīrghatamasa
āyur-veda-pravartakaḥ
yajña-bhug vāsudevāṁśaḥ
smṛta-mātrārti-nāśanaḥ
-Srimad Bhagavatam 9.17.4
This day is also celebrated as the birth appearance day of Lord Dhanvantari, who emerged from the ocean churning as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and was also the inaugurator of the medical sciences. The above verse from Srimad Bhagavatam says that by remembering the name of Lord Dhanvantari, one can be released from all diseases. On this day, people purchase precious metals like gold or silver and utensils, which signifies that investing in these metals will bring prosperity to the home.
Day 2: Narak Chaturdashi: The Victory Over Evil
Ūrlakṛuṣhṇachatuīshyāan tailābhyarga vichūdaye ॥
Kṛutvā srātvācheyaddhamean narakādamayan labhet ॥
Pradoṣhe teladīpāanstu dīpayedyamatuṣhṭaye ॥
Chatuṣhpathe gṛuhādvāhyapradesh vā samāhitah ॥
-Narad Puran 123.46-47
The above verse from Narad Puran says - on this day, one should place an oil lamp on the crossroads or outside the house. This will bring fearlessness to the worshipper.
Narak Chaturdashi, also known as Choti Diwali or Kali Chaudas, is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight. It commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, who had imprisoned thousands of women and terrorized the earth with his wickedness. So, this day signifies the destruction of evil and the victory of innocent souls.
Day 3. Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Urjjaamaayam deepdaanam deva gaar graheshu cha
Nadya raam tadaagepu chaitya goshthapaneshu cha
Samarchanam tatha lakshamyah swarnaraupye krata krate
Gavaam pujatra vihita shringadyam ganuranjaneh
-Narad Puran 124.89-92
The above verse from Narad Puran says - on this new moon day in the month of Kartik, one should offer lights in temples, river banks, parks, monasteries, market places, etc. and worship goddess Laxmi. One should also worship cows by painting their horns and limbs and circumambulating them.
Diwali is the main festival that celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile and victory over the demon king Ravana. This is the same day when Damodar Lila was performed, wherein mother Yashoda tied Krishna with the rope. This pastime of the Lord highlights that the supreme controller is ready to get controlled by his loving devotees.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja: Gratitude for Nature’s Bounty
Visheṣhādannakūṭākhyan viṣhṇuprītivivardhanam
sarvapākaiah sarvadohaiah sarvaiah sarvārthasiddhaye
Kartavyamannakūṭan tu govarddhanasamarchane
sāyan gobhiah sah shrīmadgovarddhanadharādharam
-Narad Puran 110.35-37
The above verse from Narad Puran says - on this first day in the bright fortnight of Kartik, one should offer Annakuta, i.e., a heap of cooked food items, to Vishnu. In the evening, the devotee should worship Govardhana Mountain along with the cows. Govardhan is a pure devotee of Krishna who gives place to Krishna for performing various childhood pastimes. This signifies Krishna’s love for his devotees, especially cows.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj: Celebrating Sibling Bonds
Ūrjashukladvitīyāyāan yamo yamunayā purā
Bhojitah svagṛuhe ten dvitīyaiṣhā yamāhvayā
Puṣhṭipravarddhanan chātra bhaginyā bhojanan gṛuhe
-Narad Puran 111.17-21
The above verse from Narad Puran says - on this second day in the bright half of Kartika month, Lord Yamaraja was fed by Yamuna with her own hand, out of sisterly affection. Hence, he who takes his food from the hand of his sister on this day attains prosperity. So, this Bhai Dooj celebrates the sacred bond of siblings’ love.
The five-day festival of Diwali is not just a series of rituals; it is an expression of the diverse cultural fabric of India. Every day carries a unique meaning, rooted in scriptures, tradition, and spirituality, making the festival relevant across religious, regional, and linguistic lines. In celebrating these festivals, Indians reaffirm their connection to their cultural heritage while spreading the message of peace, prosperity, and goodwill to all. This beautiful amalgamation of joy, tradition, and community spirit is what makes these five days an unforgettable celebration of Indianness.
Written By: Gauranga Das Prabhu, a member of ISKCON's Governing Body Commission and the director of ISKCON’s Govardhan Ecovillage..!!
Day 1: Dhanteras: The Beginning of Prosperity
Ūrnakṛuṣhṇa trayodashyā mekabhaktah samāhitah ॥
Pradoṣhe tailadīpan tu prajvālyābhyarchya annatah ॥
Gṛuhadvāre bahirdadyādyamo me prīyatāmiti ॥
Evan kṛute tu vizeandra yamapīḍā n jāyate ॥
-Narad Puran 122.46-47
Here, Narad Puran says, on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of the lunar month of Kartik. One should light an oil lamp and keep it outside the front door of the house while saying, “May Yama be pleased with me." By doing this, one is not afflicted by Yama, the god of death.
dhanvantarir dīrghatamasa
āyur-veda-pravartakaḥ
yajña-bhug vāsudevāṁśaḥ
smṛta-mātrārti-nāśanaḥ
-Srimad Bhagavatam 9.17.4
This day is also celebrated as the birth appearance day of Lord Dhanvantari, who emerged from the ocean churning as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and was also the inaugurator of the medical sciences. The above verse from Srimad Bhagavatam says that by remembering the name of Lord Dhanvantari, one can be released from all diseases. On this day, people purchase precious metals like gold or silver and utensils, which signifies that investing in these metals will bring prosperity to the home.
Day 2: Narak Chaturdashi: The Victory Over Evil
Ūrlakṛuṣhṇachatuīshyāan tailābhyarga vichūdaye ॥
Kṛutvā srātvācheyaddhamean narakādamayan labhet ॥
Pradoṣhe teladīpāanstu dīpayedyamatuṣhṭaye ॥
Chatuṣhpathe gṛuhādvāhyapradesh vā samāhitah ॥
-Narad Puran 123.46-47
The above verse from Narad Puran says - on this day, one should place an oil lamp on the crossroads or outside the house. This will bring fearlessness to the worshipper.
Narak Chaturdashi, also known as Choti Diwali or Kali Chaudas, is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight. It commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, who had imprisoned thousands of women and terrorized the earth with his wickedness. So, this day signifies the destruction of evil and the victory of innocent souls.
Day 3. Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Urjjaamaayam deepdaanam deva gaar graheshu cha
Nadya raam tadaagepu chaitya goshthapaneshu cha
Samarchanam tatha lakshamyah swarnaraupye krata krate
Gavaam pujatra vihita shringadyam ganuranjaneh
-Narad Puran 124.89-92
The above verse from Narad Puran says - on this new moon day in the month of Kartik, one should offer lights in temples, river banks, parks, monasteries, market places, etc. and worship goddess Laxmi. One should also worship cows by painting their horns and limbs and circumambulating them.
Diwali is the main festival that celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile and victory over the demon king Ravana. This is the same day when Damodar Lila was performed, wherein mother Yashoda tied Krishna with the rope. This pastime of the Lord highlights that the supreme controller is ready to get controlled by his loving devotees.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja: Gratitude for Nature’s Bounty
Visheṣhādannakūṭākhyan viṣhṇuprītivivardhanam
sarvapākaiah sarvadohaiah sarvaiah sarvārthasiddhaye
Kartavyamannakūṭan tu govarddhanasamarchane
sāyan gobhiah sah shrīmadgovarddhanadharādharam
-Narad Puran 110.35-37
The above verse from Narad Puran says - on this first day in the bright fortnight of Kartik, one should offer Annakuta, i.e., a heap of cooked food items, to Vishnu. In the evening, the devotee should worship Govardhana Mountain along with the cows. Govardhan is a pure devotee of Krishna who gives place to Krishna for performing various childhood pastimes. This signifies Krishna’s love for his devotees, especially cows.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj: Celebrating Sibling Bonds
Ūrjashukladvitīyāyāan yamo yamunayā purā
Bhojitah svagṛuhe ten dvitīyaiṣhā yamāhvayā
Puṣhṭipravarddhanan chātra bhaginyā bhojanan gṛuhe
-Narad Puran 111.17-21
The above verse from Narad Puran says - on this second day in the bright half of Kartika month, Lord Yamaraja was fed by Yamuna with her own hand, out of sisterly affection. Hence, he who takes his food from the hand of his sister on this day attains prosperity. So, this Bhai Dooj celebrates the sacred bond of siblings’ love.
The five-day festival of Diwali is not just a series of rituals; it is an expression of the diverse cultural fabric of India. Every day carries a unique meaning, rooted in scriptures, tradition, and spirituality, making the festival relevant across religious, regional, and linguistic lines. In celebrating these festivals, Indians reaffirm their connection to their cultural heritage while spreading the message of peace, prosperity, and goodwill to all. This beautiful amalgamation of joy, tradition, and community spirit is what makes these five days an unforgettable celebration of Indianness.
Written By: Gauranga Das Prabhu, a member of ISKCON's Governing Body Commission and the director of ISKCON’s Govardhan Ecovillage..!!
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