Module: Professional studies

CA1: Social Justice Diwali Event

Student name: Niall Shiels
Student Id: G00373163

Lecturer: Dr. Pauline Logue

 Diwali: Festival of light
Background to Diwali
Diwali is a festival of lights that has originated from India and is one of the major religious
celebrations in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism which lasts for five days. “from the 13th day of
the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month
Karttika. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and
November.) The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.”

The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light

over darkness” (Duignan, n.d.). The festival of Diwali
commemorates Lord Rama's 14-year exile and
subsequent return to his kingdom of Ayodhya.
Ayodhya's people welcomed Rama, Lakshman, and
Sita by lighting up the city brightly and setting off
fireworks.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under

CC BY-SA-NC

The Diwali festival is also thought to represent Goddess Lakshmi returning home. In order to
mark this, they burn numerous "Diyas," or clay lamps, all around their homes. Since this
represents the triumph of good over evil, Diwali is often referred to as the festival of lights. On
this day, people worship the goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha as they're thought to bring luck,
wealth, and success.
 The way that Diwali is celebrated differs depending on the
area and religion but common ways that this is celebrated
is with the fireworks, rangoli, lamps, lanterns, lights,
sparkles, and glitters.

Diwali is celebrated over 5 days and each day is honored

by prayer, feasts, fireworks, family gatherings, and
charitable giving.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed
under CC BY-SA

The Five days of Diwali.

Day 1 Dhanvantari:

Diwali's first day is known as Dhanvantari Triodasi or

Dhanwantari Triodasi, also known as Dhan Theras. The
dark fourth night of the month of Kartik, or the
thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh, is in fact
currently underway. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari
emerged from the sea carrying Ayurveda for humanity.
Deepawali celebrations officially start on this day.

On the first day of Diwali at sunset Hindus should take

a bath and pray to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death, by lighting a deeya and giving it to him along
with Prasad (sweets that are presented during worship time). There is a custom to buy
something precious to begin Diwali such as gold silver or new utensils.
Day 2 Choti Diwali:
Narak Chaturdasi, the second day of Diwali, is so
named. Lord Krishna slew the demon Narakasur
on this day, eradicating dread from the earth. The
body should be massaged with oil on this day to
reduce fatigue, one should take a bath, and one
should rest so that Diwali can be celebrated with
vigor and devotion.

On this day Yama Deeya should not be lit on this

night. Yama Deeya is a small light that is lit to
worship lord yama

Day 3 Lakshmi Puja on Diwali:

This is the main day of the Diwali festival It is on
this day that Mother Lakshmi is worshipped. To
obtain the blessings of money and success, the
victory of good over evil, and the triumph of light
over darkness, Hindus purify themselves, gather
with their families, and their Pandit (priest) and
they worship the holy Goddess Lakshmi. Tiny oil
diyas, candles, and electric lights are placed around
the house. Families exchange gifts and gather to burst crackers.

Day 4 Padwa & Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Pooja is done on this day. Govardhan Pooja was performed by the people of Vraja
thousands of years ago at the order of Lord Krishna. Hindus have since celebrated Govardhan's
 birthday to remember the first Pooja performed by the people of Vraja. People make a small
hillock, usually of cow dung, symbolising Govardhan and worship it.

Day 5 Bhai Dooj:

Bhai teeka is the name given to Diwali's fifth day.

This is the day following the Goverdhan Pooja and
typically two days after Diwali. It is a day honoring
sisters. On this day in the past, during the Vedic
era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of Death) paid a visit
to his sister Yamuna. Anyone who visits his sister
on this day will be absolved of all sins, according to
a Vardhan (a blessing) he gave her. They shall
attain Moksha, or complete emancipation. From
then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
enquire of their welfare.

Bibliography
Duignan, B. (n.d.). diwali. Retrieved from britannica : https://www.britannica.com/topic/New-Year-
festival