Deepavali.

Deepa means light and Vali means rows, so Deepavali means rows of lights. On this day people all over India be they Hindus, Sikhs or Jains, whatever creed or sect light rows and rows of lights in front of their houses, windows, doorsteps etc.

In the southern part of India, Deepavali is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdasi or the day on which Narakasura [the evil demon] was killed by Krishnas wife, Sathyabhama. At the time of his death, it is said, that Narakasura requested Sathyabhama, his death be celebrated by the people as a festival because of his realization of how cruel he had been.

Another story is that King Bali visits the earth to see his subjects during this time. Some people celebrate Balipadyami, on day after Amavasya.

Up North, Deepavali signifies the home coming of Sri Rama from his 14 years in exile, after his victory over Raavana. To welcome Sri Rama and Sita, people of Ayodhya had lit up the city with rows and rows of lamps.
In South India no one calls the festival Diwali as diwali means broke or lost everything.

For Jains, Deepavali marks the attainment of Nirvana by Saint Mahaveera, on 15 th October, 527-BC.

For Sikhs, Deepavali is significant as it marked the illumination of Amrithsar, commemorating the return of Guru Har Gobindh, the Sikh guru who was imprisoned at fort Gwalior by Emporer Jehangir.

Deepavali also marks the celebration of Mahalakshmi rising from the Ocean at the time of Samudra manthan.[churning of the ocean.]

On the 13th day of the second half of the month Ashwija is celebrated as Dhana Trayodasi, to mark the rising of Lord Dhanavantri from the Ocean during the churning of the ocean. On this day it is considered auspicious to buy gold silver and utensils.

What ever the reason, people of India celebrate Deepavali, in grand manner. Plenty of sweets, new clothes and visiting relatives and friends and gifts aplenty.

The evening before Deepavali is called Jalapurna Trayodashi. On this day, the vessel used for hot water for the next mornings bath is cleaned and a yellowed thread with a haldi stick is tied arround the vessel, haldhi kunkum is applied and water filled in it. Rangoli is drawn in front of the vessel and decorated with flowers. This water is used the next day early morning by the entire family for 'abhyanga snana' after an oil massage. Traditionally, besan uptan or chickpea flour and haldi and bath powder is used for a scented bath. Followed correctly, I guess, it is a great day to indulge oneself and the entire family to a oil massage followed by a hot bath with scented oils! A total detox therapy in today's terms!

Trayodashi is also supposed to be the evening when the sons in law, arrive to take part in the festival, especially on the first year of marriage. The dinner is a grand affair. After which the new clothes are kept in front of the god, till the next morning.

On the day of Naraka Chaturdashi or Deepavali in the South , there is a arathi for all the members in the family. All members of the family get an oil massage or at least a little oil is applied on each ones head and the new clothes are given along with pan and supari. All the members are to finish their oil bath before sun rise , so as to attain the punya of having had a Ganga Snan. After the bath, new clothes are worn and the blessings of all the elders sought by performing namaskara to them.
The Arathi is prepared thus.... ina plate with a broad rim pour a little water, put in some haldhi powder and lime ie sunna, this will make the water red in colour in the middle put two oil lights and on either side of the light keep two haldhi sticks. Before the Arathi, On a mat/ jhamkhana members of the family all sit except two women.Apply kumkum to all of them, give in each persons hand pan/supari, give the new clothes to which a little kumkum has allready been applied.Then apply a little oil with a flower on the middle of the head. then the arathi is performed the plate is turned in front of the members first clock wise three times then anti clock wise three times. THE HAVE TO BE LIT. then with the haldhi is taken on in each hand and just as it was done for the arathi it turned arround three times clock wise and three tines anti clock wise. Th same prosedure is done for the left out in the first round. When the arathi is being performed money is given to the Arathi performers.This ARathi shown to God first before performing the family. HOT WATER AND SEEGEKAI POWDER is to be kept for god too.
Amavash or Deepavali day in the north is Lakshmi puja in the evening. The Goddess of Wealth is worshiped.
In the North, Goddess Mahalakshmi is worshipped along with Ganesha to bring prosperity.A special sweet preperation is made. Coins and jewelry are kept alongside and all members of the family participate. For certain people it is also the new year and for some businesses, this day heralds the new year for accounts.

The next after Amavasya is celebrated as BaliPadyami. It is the first day of the month of Kartik, the darkest month of the year. this is a day of festival in honour of the king Bali Chakravarthy and is celeberated with kheer and festive food.

The following day is BHAU BHEEJ; the sisters invite the brothers to their home , perform arathi, cook food, which is the brother's favorite and gift him with clothes or some gift.

On the trithiya day it is the brother who invite the sisters to his house and give her food sweets and gift of clothes etc.

Deepavali is the day when friends, neighbors and relatives exchange the sweets and eats made in their houses, and also visit each other and wish each other.
In todays world where no one has time to meet relatives this festival is an occasion when the relation ships can be renewed. The children will also know who is who in the family. This tradition has to be kept up by the parents; if not, relatives, even the close ones, will become strangers; the chidren will grow up, into adults not knowing uncles aunts or cousins.