In North India, the day marks the homecoming of Lord Ram to his kingdom Ayodhya after the 14 years of exile. People of his kingdom celebrated his home return by lightning thousands of diyas, therefore the day has been named as 'Deepavali', which is again shortened as 'Diwali'. In the southern part of the India, the day has been associated with the victory of Lord Krishna and defeat of demon Narakasura. The western people celebrate the day in the honor of the King Bali who has been ordered by the deity Vishnu to rule the nether world.
Home Return of Lord Ram- Deepavali celebrates the home back of Lord Ram to his kingdom Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana after 14 years of exile. The day is also celebrated as the victory of Lord Ram over the devil king Ravana. It is a strong belief that the people of Ayodhya welcomed the Ram, Sita and Lakshmana by illuminating the oil lamps. To reach the Ayodhya in North India, Ram passed through the south India first and then paved towards North India. Therefore the festival has been celebrated one day earlier in the South India.
Asceticism of Shakti- Skanda Purana says that the deity Shakti wanted to get the Lord Shiva's half body so she made an austerity or kedhara vrata for 21 days which got started from the ashtami of shukla paksha. On the day of Diwali, Lord Shiva accepted Shakti into his left body form, known as Ardhanarishvara. The period of kedhara vrata got completed on the day of Diwali. The 21 days have been celebrated by the ardent devotees and they make a kalasha, consisting of the 21 threads around it and then they have 21 offerings for 35 days. The last day is called kedhara gauri vrata.
Diwali And Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi Puja on Diwali is an integral part of the Diwali celebrations. This day is also known by the name of 'Chopada-Puja'. Lakshmi-Puja is performed for the sole purpose of propitiating Goddess Lakshmi and to thank Her for the bestowal of her blessings on the humans. Lakshmi-Puja falls on the darkest night of Amavasya, though with the help of innumerable lamps and diyas this darkness is reduced to such an extent that it seems as if one is celebrating Diwali in broad daylight.
Lakshmi Puja on Diwali is a major part of the Diwali celebration in North and West India. According to the legend associated with Lakshmi Puja, there once occurred the churning of ocean by the demons and the deities in order to look for the 'amrit' or the 'drink of immortality'. On this day Goddess Lakshmi manifested herself from the ocean and since then Diwali began to be celebrated and Lakshmi Puja became an important part of the Diwali celebrations in order to commemorate the Goddess Lakshmi.
According to a common belief Goddess Lakshmi walks through the green fields as well as the bye-lanes in order to shower her blessings on the human race for peace, wealth and prosperity. Thus everyone is advised to open the doors and the windows of their homes on the eve of Lakshmi Puja.
Cleanliness forms another important part of the rituals of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali. People try to keep their houses neat and clean on this day, as Goddess Lakshmi is believed to like cleanliness and she visits the cleanliest house first. Another ritual is of lighting the diyas and lamps on the eve of Diwali in order to light up the path of Goddess Lakshmi. Puja for five deities are included in the process of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali. Foremost Lord Ganesha is worshipped in the beginning of the Puja, then Goddess Lakshmi is revered through the Lakshmi Puja, Mahasaraswati who is regarded to be the goddess of books and learning is worshipped for gaining of knowledge and last but not the least Lord Kubera who is the treasurer of the wealth of gods.
Text Source: www.diwalimela.com
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