Diwali - You must know

The ancient stories in India are divided as:

1. Itihasa - meaning which actually happened
2. Puranas - mythological, symbolic stories meaning absolutely new and fresh in Sanskrit.

The symbolic stories are ever new and fresh and the meaning wrapped in them needs to be decoded. It is said that when one meditates and contemplates on them, the essence of these stories is revealed to him.

The celebrations of Diwali and the associated past events and stories are very special as they make us aware of the profound truth of life.

The Diwali festivities start from the 13th day of the fortnight of the waning moon.

DAY 1 - Dhantrayodashi
DAY 2 – Naraka Chaturdashi
DAY 3 - Lakshmi Puja
DAY 4 – Varshapratipada
DAY 5 - Bhai-dooj

Diwali - The festival of Inner Lights

Diwali is the commemoration of the light of wisdom in our lives. Lamps are lit on this day not just to decorate homes, but also to communicate this profound truth of life.

Though Diwali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light" which  seems to be lost somewhere today.

This Diwali,
Light the lamp of love in your heart;
the lamp of abundance in your home;
the lamp of compassion to serve others;
the lamp of Knowledge to dispel the darkness of ignorance;
and the lamp of gratitude for the abundance that the Divine has bestowed on us.

Know the symbolisms behind traditions: