Celebrating Deepavali, 'The Festival of Lights'
‘Deepavali’ popularly also called ‘Diwali’ – the Festival of Lights is a very auspicious time of the year, and its just around the corner.
The Divine Bliss Family welcomes everyone to join us to celebrate “Light in the World”. On this ‘Festival of Lights‘, let us all children of Almight God come together to uphold the divinity of Light.
Diwali the ‘Festival of Lights’ is one of the most prominent festival in India, celebrated with great warmth, joy, and shining grandeur, just like Christmas is celebrated in many parts of the world. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means a row of lights. [Deep = light and avali = a row]
The festival falls on the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu lunar month Kartika that happens between mid-October to mid-November.
SIGNIFICANCE OF DEEPAVALI
The festival of Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and right over wrong. It is an occasion of high spiritual value as it signifies the opening of our own true light which sparkles within us and sharing this glow with others as well.
The festivity of lights reminds us of the importance of knowledge, significance of understanding self and knowing and seeking the good and right pathway. Deepavali is the celebration of our inner light over spiritual darkness, of knowledge over ignorance and right over wrong.
It is a time to illuminate your soul and in its brilliance, allow it to dazzle with joy and bliss.
CELEBRATION DAYS
The celebrations for Diwali usually extends over a period of five days, and the main festive night of Diwali coincides with the new moon night.
The festivity starts with Dhanteras, followed by Naraka Chaturdasi or small Diwali and then Deepavali / Diwali on the third day. Thereafter is Diwali Padva or Govardhan Puja on the forth day and Bhai-Dhuj on the fifth and last day of the 5 day long celebration. Each day of the festival has its unique significance.
Dhanteras is the first day of the festive celebrations. The word Dhanteras itself means wealth and prosperity. The day holds special significance as people choose this day to invest in gold or jewellery. New clothes and utensils for Diwali are also bought on this auspicious occasion.
The day also pays homage to Lord Dhanwantari who is associated with Ayurveda, a form of natural therapy and various healing practices.
Narak Chaturdasi or Small Diwali is the second day. This day signifies the triumph of Goddess Kali and Lord Krishna over the demons to free the world from fear. The festival is all about dissolving the bad and protecting others.
Diwali or Deepavali is the main day of the Festival of Lights symbolic of the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. On this day Mother Lakshmi is worshipped to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity.
PREPARATION
Deepavali is that time of the year when it is considered beneficial to refresh and renew all energies around you. Preparations include cleaning, renovating, and decorating the the home and work place.
On the Deepavali day, people light divas (oil lamps), candles, colorful light decorations and also make rangoli (floor art made with colorful petals, rice, and flour) to beautify the space. The illumination of the homes, prayers and chanting, fire crackers in the skies, and all forms of expression of obeisance to the heavens for receiving health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity are made. People offer sweets, food, jewelry, clothes and other items to the Gods and Goddesses.
Just like Christmas, it is a time people give gifts to family and friends. In addition to the abundance being observed, charity and selfless giving are practiced, in line with the theme of “it is in giving that you receive”.
The 5 days of Diwali is a time for generating abundance and practicing the art of giving!
CELEBRATION TIME !!
Its time to stand up for the Light!
The Divine Bliss family will be honoring and appreciating all the universal Cosmic Energies of Light during the 5 days from 17th October to 21st October, 2017. We will be lighting candles, presenting offerings from the heart, and saying prayers of gratitude to the energies of the Divine Beings and Saints who have touched our lives in their unique ways.
As a mark of respect and to express our gratitude we will be honoring our Guruji Sri Sri Poonamji as a part of the festivity since it is only a True Guru (dispeller of darkness) who can show us how to light up our pathway to make our lives more meaningful and beautiful.
You are welcome to join us for the festive celebrations graced by our beautiful, loving Guruji Sri Sri Poonamji who has blessed us with the opportunity to provide everyone with an avenue to open yourself to your own true self in love and light.
Diwali celebrations begin from 28th October and go on till 21st October…
Tuesday, 17th October : Dhanteras
Wednesday, 18th October : Naraka Chaturdasi or Small Diwali
Thursday, 19th October : Diwali (Main celebration day)
Friday, 20th October : Diwali Padwa / Govardhan Puja
Saturday, 21st October : Bhai-Dhuj
The main celebrations on Thursday, 19th October start at 4 pm!
Venue: Divine Bliss International – Awakening Center of Self-realization, 2319 Nursery Road, Clearwater, Florida-33764, USA
The regular visiting hours of the Centre are from 10 am to 10 pm EST.
If you are unable to come in person and would like to connect online, do email us for more details at info@divineblissinternational.org
