Standard Chartered Private Bank – The Journey

The Festival of Light

'', also called Deepavali or festival of lights, is the abstraction of the word Deepavali - 'Deep' means diya (small pots made from clay) or light and 'Avali', means a row - meaning a row of diyas. Indeed celebrating the row of lights forms one of Diwali’s main attractions. Every home - huts of the poor to the mansions of the rich are lit with the glow of twinkling diyas. By lighting these small earthen lamps they welcome , the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Multi-colored designs (floor art), floral decorations and fireworks lend vivid, colorful imagery and grandeur to this festival which heralds joy, mirth and happiness in the ensuing year. This festival is celebrated on a grand scale in almost all the regions of and is looked upon in some parts of India as the beginning of a new calendar or financial year. For those who believe that Diwali marks the beginning of a new financial year, people tidy up their accounts and many hold grand pujas (prayers) and devotional displays for Goddess Lakshmi. Diwali is enthusiastically celebrated for five continuous days and each day has its significance with a number of myths, legends and beliefs. Day 1: Dhanteras The first day of Diwali called Dhanteras falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Kartik (Hindu’s refer to Kartik as the eighth month of the year).

On Dhanteras Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new “Dhan” (translated as money or wealth) or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck. "" is performed in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "", (devotional songs) in praise of Goddess Lakshmi, are also sung.

An interesting tale about Dhanteras Festival says that, the sixteen year old son of King Hima was doomed to die of a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage according to his horoscope. So, on the fourth day of his marriage, his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid out gold ornaments and lots of silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lit innumerable lamps all over the place. She went on telling stories and singing songs. When , the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a serpent his eyes got blinded by the dazzle of lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of ornaments and coins and sat there the whole night listening to the melodious songs and in the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yama, the god of Death.

Day 2: Nakra-Chaturdashi The second day is called Nakra-Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali (small Diwali) and falls on the fourteenth day of the month of Kartik.

On this day, it is believed that Lord Krishna destroyed the demon King Narakaasura. Narakaasura was a demon King and had imprisoned over 16,000 daughters of gods and saints. Application of kajal (kohl) in the eyes is believed to keep away the evil eye. People offer Nived (food) to the goddess that is local to where they are originally from. This goddess is called their 'Kul Devi', in order to cast off evil spirits. Some families also offer food to their forefathers on this day.

Another tradition revolves around King Bali of the nether world. His mighty power had become a threat to the gods and in order to curb his powers, Lord in the guise of a small boy visited the King and pleaded with him to give him as much land as he could cover with his three steps. Known for his philanthropy, King Bali proudly granted him his wish. That very moment, the small boy was transformed into the mighty Lord Vishnu. With his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step he covered the earth. Before taking the third and final step, Lord Vishnu asked Bali where he should make his third step, Bali offered his head. Vishnu put his foot on Bali’s head and consequently pushing Bali down to the underworld. Because of his generosity Lord Vishnu gave Bali the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.

Day 3: Lakshmi Puja The third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of the Lakshmi Puja. This day is entirely devoted to the Goddess Lakshmi. When the sun sets in the evening and ceremonial worship is finished all the homemade sweets are offered to the goddess as naivedy (offering of food to God) and distributed as prasad (offering of food). Feasts are arranged and gifts exchanged, and the day is spent with friends and family.

Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities, Ganesh is worshiped at the beginning of every auspicious act as he is believed to be the remover of all obstacles. Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in her three forms - Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money) Mahasaraswati (the goddess of learning), and Mahakali (the goddess of liberation and destruction); Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshiped.

Day 4: Bali Pratipadā The fourth day is celebrated in honour of the return of the demon (Daitya)-king Bali to earth. Bali Pratipadā falls in the Gregorian calendar months of October- November. It is the first day of the Hindu month Kartika and is the first day of the bright lunar fortnight (day after new moon day) in the month.

This day is known as New Years day and friends and family will greet each other with the traditional saying ‘Sal Mubarak’. As a sign of respect, younger

members will touch the feet of their elders for blessings. This day is looked upon as the most auspicious day to start any new venture. In many Hindu homes it is a customary for a wife to put a red tilak (a mark of auspiciousness) on their husband’s forehead and to garland him with a prayer for his long life. In appreciation of all the care that a wife showers on him, the husband often will purchase a gift for his wife. This ceremony, known as is symbolic of love and devotion between the couple.

Day 5: Bhau-beej The festival of Bhau-beej or Bhai Phota is celebrated by Hindus on the last day of Diwali. This is the second day of the bright fortnight or Shukla of the Hindu month of Kartika. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and happy lives by performing the Teeka ceremony (application tilak on the forehead), and brothers take gifts to their sisters. It is traditional for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate Bhau-beej.

Diwali is a personal, people-oriented festival when enemies are forgotten; families and friends meet, enjoy and establish a world of closeness. Standard Chartered Private Bank wishes you and your family a very joyous and sparkling Diwali and a very Happy New Year.

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