Importance of various days in Diwali

Diwali is a series of festivals of 5 days, which fall towards the end of the Hindu month of Ashwin and the beginning of the month of Kartik. We can celebrate Diwali in the true sense only when we know the significance of each of these days.

Dhanteras (15th Oct)

Lord Dhanvantari

(Dhanteras as celebrated in the Universe). On this day Lord Vishnu's unmanifest energy flows through Sri Laxmi Devi's Surya nadi (the right channel of the Kundalini) and the channel is activated. The rays generated from here are full of the 'Tej tatva' or the fire element. These 'Tej' rays spread all over the Universe and the whole Universe is illuminated by shiny golden particles.

Goddess Laxmi's chaitanya present in these golden particles provides opulence, prosperity and creates an environment conducive for spiritual practice. Hence on this day Goddess Laxmi is worshipped with utmost devotion. Because of the ritualistic worship with spiritual emotion, the Lord and controller of wealth - Kuber enters the earth's environment. - A scholar (17/05/05, 7.58 p.m.)

Narak Chaturdashi (17th Oct)

On this day, lighting lamps can destroy demonic energies. The day before Chaudas, fourteenth day of the fortnight, after 12 a.m. the atmosphere starts getting polluted with raja-tama frequencies, because on this day the Universe moves from the Chandra-nadi (or the moon channel), into the Surya-nadi (or the Sun channel). This helps the demonic energies in 'Pataal'. The sound waves generated from 'Pataal' are created by heat generated from movement of particles loaded with raja-tama components. To neutralize the effect of these waves, one has to bathe early in the morning, light ghee lamps in earthen pots and ritualistically worship them. The lamps radiate waves of particles charged with the fire element, which helps to destroy the raja-tama laden particles in the environment. Due to this, raja-tama particles present in the cells of demonic energies also melt away, which helps to destroy the protective sheath around the demonic energies. Hence, a soul begins afresh to perform any auspicious activity. On this day demonic energies get annihilated, in a way amounting to destruction of distressing frequencies emanating from hell. - A scholar (17/05/05, 8.59 p.m.)*

Laxmi Pujan (17th Oct)

Sree Laxmipujan

This day 'Laxmi-panchayatan' enters the Universe. Sri Vishnu, Sri Indra, Sri Kuber, Sri Gajendra and Sri Laxmi are elements of this 'panchayatan' (a group of five). The tasks of these elements are:

Vishnu: Happiness (happiness and satisfaction)
Indra: Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth)
Kuber: Wealth (one who gives away wealth)
Gajendra: Carries the wealth
Laxmi: Divine Energy (Shakti) which provides energy to all the above activities.

Importance of Laxmi Pujan

A. Destruction of distressing energies On this particular day, Goddess Laxmi's destroyer (marak) form is active, since it is the new moon day. The spiritual emotion of the person doing ritualistic worship, activates Goddess Laxmi's marak form and destroys the distressing frequencies in the environment.
B. Arrival of other Gods (Devtas): Lord Indra and other male deities also get drawn to the place of ritualistic worship and follow Goddess Laxmi. Thus happiness, opulence, prosperity, stability and wealth is maintained in the premise (Vastu) by worshiping the 5 elements or Deities - A scholar through the medium of Ms. Anjali Gadgil (18/5/05, 10.40 am)*

Balipratipada (19th Oct)

Ritualistic worship of King Bali is performed to avoid troubles from distressing energies.
Creation of distressing energy : It is said that distressing energy was created on the day of Bali-pratipada. On this day, proportion of 'Yama' and 'Tiryak' frequencies is more in the Universe. When these frequencies come together, the distressing energies under the control of King Bali create more distressing energies. On this day, ritualistic worship of King Bali is done where an offering (Naivaidya) is made to him to satisfy his thirst and hunger. This keeps King Bali and the distressing energies under his control, happy for the whole year in 'Paatal', and not cause any trouble to lives on earth. With this, the Jiva (soul) on earth is able to practice spirituality without obstacles. Hindu Dharma gives as much importance to this day of appeasing the distressing energies as any other important festival. Hence, it will be clear how impartial and tolerant the Hindu Dharma is, as it thinks of righteous along with unrighteous - A scholar (18/05/05, 10.55 am)*

Bhaubij (Yama Dwitiya) (19th Oct)

Bhaubij (Yamadvitiya)

A day to control frequencies generated by the distressing energies from hell.
Significance : On this day, Yamadev (deity of Death) has full control over hell and is in charge of the region of Death (Mrityulok). He also prevents negative energies from moving in various planes (lokas) and keeps a check on them. On this day, waves emanating from Yamadev travel through various layers of hell and keep matters in place. This keeps the effect of negative energies from hell to a minimum on this day. Hence, on this day, ritualistic worship of Yamadev is done to express gratitude. He is welcomed in the evening by lighting earthen lamps. Prayers are made for a long life.

* To know about Ms. Anjali Gadgil, Click here