Divali Dates

	Divali Dates Back History
The 14th Day of the dark half of Aashwayuja to the 2nd day of bright half of Kartika (Kaartik.) The first day is Dhan Trayodashi. On the second day Naraak Chaturdashi. On the third day is Lakshmi Poojan on which people worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Businessmen keep their shops shut as a symbol of protecting wealth. The fourth day is Bali Pratipada. On the last day is Bhaubeej, when the sister asks the Lord for the well-being of her brother, who is her Protector. In return, the brother bestows the sister with gifts. 14th November 2001

Approximate dates- (Actual Dates based on Lunar Cycle)

2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
14 Nov	4 Nov	25 Oct	12 Nov	1 Nov	21 Nov	10 Nov	30 Oct	19 Oct	7 Nov

For more information see:-

http://www.diwalimela.com/ http://www.shagtown.com/days/h.html
http://www.iskcon.net/ies/festival.html http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/2001.htm

The First day of Diwali : Dhanteras

The First day is called Dhanteras or Dhantryaodashi, which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. .

The Second day of Diwali : Narak Chaturdasi

It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear.

The third day : Diwali

On the dark new moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. Lakshmi Puja is performed on this day.

Diwali is the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business and businessmen perform Chopda Pujan on this day on the new books of accounts. Diwali is the festival when the new business year begins it is said that Diwali is the "Time to shop or start new ventures".

The fourth day : New Year day or Bestavarsh

The Fourth day is called Padwa or VarshaPratipada that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day.

The day after the Lakshmi Puja, most families celebrate the new year by dressing in new clothes, wearing jewellery and visiting family members and business colleagues to give them sweets, dry fruits and gifts.

On this day, Goverdhan Pooja is performed. As per Vishnu-Puran, the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honour of Lord Indra and worshipped him after the end of every monsoon season. But one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. But Krishna saved his Gokul by lifting up the Govardhan Mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella.

This day is also observed as Annakoot and prayers are offered in the temples. In temples especially in Mathura and Nathadwara, the deities are given milkbath, dressed in shining attires with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones.

The Fifth day of Diwali : Bhai Dhooj

The second day of the bright forthnight (Shukla Paksh) of Kartik is called "Bhaiya-Duj". It comes once a year - after Diwali.

The name itself denotes the day of the festival i.e.Diwali falls on the absolutely dark night of Amdvasya (new moon), Dooj comes two days after Diwali.
Many years ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited His sister Yamuna(Yami) and she put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, they ate talked and enjoyed together and exchanged special gifts as a token of their love for each other and Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister on this day will never be thrown.

Since then it became imperative for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhaiyaduj.On Bhai Dooj, the teeka is applied on the brother's forehead. It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha Bandhan (brothers day). Well this is sisters day.

The sister usually goes in the morning and does the puja in the mother's house, before the brothers leave for their places of study or work.