Dhanteras To Bhaiya Dooj: The 5 Festivals That Mark Diwali Celebrations 2023

5 Day-Diwali Festival 2023: Diwali or Deepawali popularly known as ¡®the festival of lights¡¯ will be celebrated this year on Sunday, November 12, 2023. It is a five-day celebration that starts with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj.

Deepawali is celebrated across India and the world by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists. The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. As per Hindu scriptures, Diwali marks the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and Completing 14 years in exile.

People celebrated this auspicious festival of lights by praying to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kubera to bless them with good health, fortune and prosperity.

Dhanteras To Bhaiya Dooj: The 5 Festivals That Mark Diwali 2023 Celebrations | Unsplash

Diwali Celebrations are spread out over five days, beginning with Dhanteras and ending with Bhai Dooj. This year as per Drik Panchang, the five days of Diwali will begin from November 10 and end on November 15.

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Diwali 2023: 5-Day Festival Important Dates And Days

Diwali Festival Day 1: Dhanteras (November 10, Friday)

Dhanteras is a Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival. It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu month of Kartika. Dhanteras is considered to be an auspicious day to buy new things, especially gold and silver. It is also a day to worship Lord Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine and Ayurveda.

The word Dhanteras is derived from the Sanskrit words "dhan" (wealth) and "teras" (thirteen). On this day, people believe that buying new things, especially gold and silver, will bring them good luck and prosperity. Dhanteras is also a day to clean and decorate the home and to prepare for the Diwali celebrations.

Dhanteras To Bhaiya Dooj: The 5 Festivals That Mark Diwali 2023 Celebrations | Unsplash

Here are some of the popular traditions associated with Dhanteras:

Buying gold and silver: It is believed that buying gold and silver on Dhanteras is auspicious and will bring good luck and prosperity. Many people buy gold and silver coins, jewelry, or utensils on this day.

Worshipping Lord Dhanvantari: Lord Dhanvantari is the Hindu god of medicine and Ayurveda. On Dhanteras, people worship Lord Dhanvantari to pray for good health and well-being.

Lighting Diyas: People light diyas (oil lamps) all over their homes and in the streets on Dhanteras. This is done to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Eating sweets: Dhanteras is a time to celebrate and enjoy. People eat sweets and exchange gifts with their loved ones on this day.

Dhanteras is a joyous and festive occasion that is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. It is a time to celebrate the beginning of the Diwali festival and to pray for good luck, prosperity, and good health.

Diwali Festival Day 2: Choti Diwali (November 11, Saturday)

Choti Diwali, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, is the second day of the five-day Diwali festival. It is celebrated on the fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu month of Kartika. Choti Diwali marks the victory of good over evil, as it is the day that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura.

What are the traditions for Choti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi?

In India, Choti Diwali is also known as Yama Deepam. This is because people believe that lighting a lamp on Choti Diwali will help to appease Yamaraj, the Hindu god of death. In some parts of India, people also fast on Choti Diwali to pray for the long life of their loved ones.

In some parts of India, people also celebrate Choti Diwali by visiting their ancestors' graves. They believe that lighting a lamp on Choti Diwali will help to guide their ancestors' souls to heaven.

Dhanteras To Bhaiya Dooj: The 5 Festivals That Mark Diwali 2023 Celebrations | Unsplash

Diwali Festival Day 3: Diwali (Laxmi Puja) (November 12, Sunday)

Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the biggest and most important festival in Hinduism. It is a five-day festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is celebrated on the darkest night of the Hindu month of Kartika, which typically falls in October or November.

It is considered as the most auspicious night as it marks the day Lord Rama returned home after his exile. The Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja on Diwali is elaborate and is believed to usher peace, prosperity and wealth. During the Lakshmi Pujan, five deities are worshipped together viz - Ganesha to mark the beginning of an auspicious ceremony, followed by Goddess Mahalakshmi in three forms viz MahaLakshmi (the goddess of wealth), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of learning), and Mahakali (the goddess of time and death); and Kuber (treasurer of Gods).

Here are some of the popular traditions associated with Diwali:

• Lighting Diyas and candles all over the home and in the streets
• Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha
• Exchanging gifts and sweets with family and friends
• Setting off fireworks
• Wearing new clothes and eating delicious food

Diwali Festival Day 4: Govardhan Puja (November 14, Tuesday)

Govardhan Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated on the second day of Diwali. It is a festival that celebrates the victory of Krishna over Indra, the king of the gods.

The story goes that Indra was angry with Krishna for teaching the villagers to worship Govardhan Hill, a sacred hill in Vrindavan, instead of him. Indra sent a downpour of rain to punish the villagers, but Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on his finger to protect the villagers from the rain.

Govardhan Puja is a way to celebrate Krishna's victory over Indra and to thank him for protecting the villagers. It is also a time to worship Govardhan Hill, which is considered to be a manifestation of Krishna.

Diwali Festival Day 5: Bhai Dooj (November 15, Wednesday)

Bhai Dooj is a Hindu festival celebrated by brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the second day after Diwali, which is the darkest night of the Hindu month of Kartika.

The word Bhai Dooj is derived from the Sanskrit words "bhai" (brother) and "dooj" (second). The festival is a celebration of the bond between a brother and a sister.

Significance of Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj is a time for brothers and sisters to come together and express their love and affection for each other. On this day, sisters pray for the well-being and long life of their brothers. Brothers, on the other hand, give their sisters gifts and sweets to show their love and respect.

Happy Diwali 2023: Best wishes to your loved ones

1. May your Diwali be filled with joy and light. Happy Diwali 2023!

2. As Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya on this day bringing back joy, happiness and fervour, here's wishing the same happiness fills your life this day. Happy Deepavali!

3. I hope you have a blessed, healthy and prosperous Diwali. A very happy Diwali to you and your family! Happy Diwali!!

4. Happy Diwali to you! May this festival bring you plenty of love and success.

5. Wish you are blessed with peace, prosperity, happiness, good health and grand success. Happy Diwali.

6. As the festive spirit of Diwali fills the air with radiant lights and the aroma of sweets, I extend my warmest wishes to you, my dear friends.

7. May the twinkling glow of diyas illuminate your life with happiness, prosperity, and good health. Happy Diwali Bro!

8. May the bursting firecrackers signal the triumph of good over evil and pave the way for a brighter future.

9. May the diyas and candles bring positivity and good fortune into your life. Enjoy Diwali and make memories with your family and friends. Happy Diwali!

10. Happy Diwali! May this Diwali bring you loads of love, laughter, and lights! Enjoy with your family and friends!

11. Sending you warm Diwali wishes to brighten up your life. Have a great Diwali with friends and family!

12. Happy Diwali, dear friend. Have a joyous, prosperous, and memorable Diwali with your family and loved ones!

13. Wishing you all a Diwali that¡¯s as beautiful as a rangoli, as bright as a diya, and as joyful as a child¡¯s laughter. Happy Diwali, My Friends!

14. As we are celebrating Diwali, I am grateful to have a friend like you who lights up my life every day! Happy Diwali, and be safe, my best friend.

15. May there be no shortage of happiness in your life, and may you be showered with riches, my dear friend. Happy Diwali to you.

16. May each lamp that you light enlighten you further and make you wiser. Here's wishing my dear student a very joyful Diwali.

17. May Goddess Lakshmi bless us and our friendship with her choicest blessings. Here's wishing you, my dearest friend, a very Happy Diwali.

18. May this Diwali fill your heart with enthusiasm and joy. May you have a sparkling Diwali and a wonderful New Year ahead.

Diwali 2023: FAQs

Q: What are the five days of Diwali?

Diwali is a five-day festival. The first day, known as Dhanteras, is dedicated to wealth worship. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi, marking the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. The third day is Diwali itself. The fourth day is Govardhan Puja, and the fifth day is Bhai Dooj, celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters.

Q: How is Diwali celebrated?

Diwali is celebrated with immense enthusiasm. People clean and decorate their homes, light oil lamps, burst firecrackers, exchange gifts, and partake in sumptuous feasts. Temples are illuminated, and prayers are offered to deities.

Q: When is Diwali celebrated?

Diwali falls in either October or November, depending on the lunar calendar. The main day of celebration is on the third day, but the festivities span five days.

Q: What is the significance of Diwali?

Diwali holds great significance as it marks the return of Lord Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, to his kingdom after defeating the demon king Ravana. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)

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