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Day 2 of Diwali Festival of Lights: Choti Diwali

Today, November 14^th, marks the second day of the 2012 Diwali Festival of Lights known as Choti Diwali, Naraka Chaturdashi, or Kali Chaudas. It is the 14^th day of the Hindu month of Ashwin and the most important day of the festival for South Indians. Legend has it that on this day God Krishna defeated the evil demon Narakasura and is therefore celebrated by Hindus as a triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It is not surprising then that Kali, which translates as dark, the Goddess of death, time, and change, is celebrated.

On this day of Diwali many perform Poojas, or religious offerings, for Lakshmi and Rama with delicious foods. It is also tradition to bathe in fragrant oils before the sun comes up early in the morning and wear fresh new clothing as part of the day’s ritual. Bathing under the cloak of darkness and stars is regarded as honoring the holy river of Ganges. Families and friends gather together for shared meals and celebrate the richness of the day with song and collective activities.

The morning after Choti Diwali women often make beautiful Rangoli around their houses and yards. Rangoli are artistic designs made on the floors of Hindu households and yards during religious festivals. They are thought to be welcoming areas for the Gods and are traditionally made from colored rice, colored flour, sand, and flower petals.

To celebrate, gather materials around the house such as rice, grains, flower petals, beads, or anything small and vibrant in color. Use dyes or food coloring to add color to less than vibrant pieces. Once you have gathered up enough supplies, make the entrance way to your home or business colorful using what you have collected. This is a joyful way to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity Lakshmi to your home so that she may bless you in the coming year. Examples of Rangoli designs can be found across the internet for inspiration!

Hindu Lord Ganesh: Remover of Obstacles

Hindu God Ganesh has ascribed to many roles over time. His most marked role is that of Vighneshvara, or Lord of Obstacles, within the Hindu Religion. This applies to both material and spiritual aims. Besides the primary remover of obstacles he is also thought to place obstacles in the way of those in need of guidance. If one is expressing themselves in less then ideal ways, Ganesh may bring those to light by bringing about hindrances that may enlighten them.

Another such role is that of Lord of letters and learning. Ganesh is renowned for his divine intellect and wisdom. He is thought to be a teacher of the divine with his inherent cleverness and vast intelligence. He is worshiped often by devout Hindus whenever they are embarking on a new endeavor, such as buying a house or starting a new business opportunity. They pray for his guidance in that their new beginning may be successful.

It would not be a stretch to say that virtually every Hindu home has some sort of statue or montage to Lord Ganesh. He is worshiped by everyone, whether rich or poor, all over India. They collectively believe that he is a granter of success, prosperity, and protects against hardships that may arise. Most beseech upon him at the beginning of every prayer, important events, or religious ritual. It is even said that musicians, dancers, and artists call upon him at the beginning of every performance, undertaking, or event. One of the most influential invocations is the following mantra:

‘Om Shri Gaṇeshāya Namah’ translated as ‘Om, salutation to the Illustrious Ganesha’

Most Hindu households give offerings of sweets to their beloved Ganesh which is why he is often depicted holding a basket of delicacies. Although the birth of Ganesh is the most often celebrated holiday worshiping Ganesh, he is often revered during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. This is mostly due to his everyday influence in the lives of Hindus nationwide. Diwali is a celebration of the plentiful qualities of life, of which Ganesh is often a largely believed guidance through them all.

Legends of Hindu Goddess Kali: the Dark One

fierce form of Devi hindu goddess Kali — Click here view all our Goddess Kali Statues

According to Hindu teachings, Kali is Goddess of time or change, but is most notably known by non-Hindus for her darkness and violence. Much like Shiva in the form of Bhairava, her earliest incarnation was that of an annihilator of evil within the world. She is often depicted in grotesque fashion as her terrifying eyes and shrieking expression horrify. Kali is referred to as ‘the black one’ as she is thought to have been the first creation before light itself and her very presence is said to convey death and destruction.

Within her most famous Hindu legend she comes to the aid of Hindu Goddess Durga and her assistants as they attempt to slay the demon Raktabija. They attempt to wound him with various weapons but come to find that with every drop of blood they inflict he only multiplies in form. His duplicates overwhelm them and they call upon Kali for aid. Instead of Kali being summoned, however, Durga herself manifests into Kali’s form.

‘Out of the surface of her (Durga’s) forehead, fierce with frown, issued suddenly Kali of terrible countenance, armed with a sword and noose. Bearing the strange khatvanga (skull-topped staff), decorated with a garland of skulls, clad in a tiger’s skin, very appalling owing to her emaciated flesh, with gaping mouth, fearful with her tongue lolling out, having deep reddish eyes, filling the regions of the sky with her roars, falling upon impetuously and slaughtering the great asuras in that army, she devoured those hordes of the foes of the devas’

Kali slays the Raktabija by sucking every last ounce of blood from his body and devouring his duplicates. She rejoices in victory and dances upon the fallen in triumph. Her ferocious celebration is said to have consumed her fully, unable to stop herself from stomping on the slain. In order to snap his consort Kali out of her violent elation, God Shiva laid down amongst the dead beneath her feet. The instant her foot touched her beloved Shiva she was able to calm herself. This is why Kali is often depicted standing atop Shiva.

Although Kali is often seen as a terrifying and vicious slayer of demons, in union with Shiva she is said to help create and destroy worlds.

Shiva as Bhairava: Annihilator of Evil

bronze-bhiksantana-a — View all our Hindu God Shiva Statues

Hindu God Shiva, The Destroyer, comes in many forms. One such important form and his most fear invoking is that of Bhairava, the annihilator of evil. This fierce form is manifested when demons make themselves present and are in need of destruction. Shiva in this form is often depicted draped in serpents as jewelry, wrapped bare naked in tiger skin, and decorated in a ritual adornment of human bones riding atop his divine vehicle, a dog named Shvan. His frightful characteristics as banisher of evil are almost indistinguishable from Hindu Goddess of Death Kali. He is seen with devastatingly angry eyes, sharp teeth, and carrying a noose, trident, and skull within his hands. In this form he is said to embody the very essence of fear itself, often forcing those who come upon him to confront their most terrifying sources of fear

The origination of Shiva as Bhairava is said to have been by Shiva himself in order to chastise Brahma, the great creator of the Universe. Legend has it that Brahma lusted after his own daughter and created four heads in order to constantly be able to see her. His desires for his daughter caused her shame and she is said to have ascended to the heavens in escape. Brahma then created a fifth head and insisted on her letting him live with her. Upon hearing of this, Shiva used his sword to rid Brahma of his new fifth head. Seeing this as an act of killing, Shiva was punished to walk the earth as a beggar carrying around the fifth head of Brahma until he was forgiven of his sin, in which case the skull of Brahma would finally fall from his hands. Many did not recognize Shiva in his naked and violent beggars form as he howled and danced in madness.

Finally one day as Shiva enters the holy city of Varanasi, the skull falls from his blackened hands and he is rid of Brahmas curse.

Diwali Festival of Lights: Worship of Lakshmi

01-golden-temple-diwali — Lakshmi is worshiped throughout Diwali Festival of Lights

Lakshmi is no doubt worshiped throughout the year as the important Hindu Goddess of Wealth, but she is most astutely worship during the Hindu festival of Diwali, festival of lights. Diwali is a very important 5-day holiday on the Hindu calendar in which families celebrate traditional activities together in their homes. Participants in Diwali light small clay oil lamps which represents the conquering of good over evil. The lamps are left lit throughout the night as followers cleanse their homes in order to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Throughout history people have put oil lamps outside their homes on Diwali in hopes that Lakshmi would come visit their homes and bless them. Lakshmi Puja is the most important day of the Diwali festival of lights in northern India. Fireworks are set off in order to send away evil spirits. Sweets and snacks are shared among family and friends and an overall grand celebration ensues.

It is no question that the Diwali festival is a celebration of great joy for Hindus, honoring Lakshmi’s abundance in their lives. Lakshmi is an endless symbol of wealth in all its forms. Wealth comes in many ways, not just the monetary wealth we think of. She is a symbol of wealth of knowledge, wealth of courage, wealth of victory, and every other way in which wealth manifests. Thus she is celebrated for her endless abundance. Lakshmi is a symbol of luck to most Hindus and is celebrated daily in most homes. She is a symbol of femininity for Hindu women with her gorgeous golden complexion sitting upon a blooming lotus bud. The budding lotus represents fertility and purity. She is believed to lead devotees into both material and spiritual prosperity.

As October is coming to a close, many Hindus are prepping for Diwali to start on the 13^th of November, celebrated through the 17^th of November. Prep your oil lamps and prepare to celebrate with Hindus across the globe and celebrate the diving beauty Lakshmi, Hindu Goddess of Wealth.

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