6 things we do on Diwali even we don’t know why

New clothes, delicious sweets, crackers and some quality time with family and loved ones – this is what marks Diwali for us Indians. Having spent years lighting diyas and making rangolis, we all know the underlying reason for the massive celebrations that await the country as the festival of lights approaches. It is one of the most exciting festivals that India looks forward to – one that celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness! While reasons for some of the rituals followed during the festive season are known to everyone, certain others are done blindly with an acceptance that it may be a part of the way society has celebrated this festival since time immemorial. But let us tell you, every little ritual from making rangolis to cleaning the house to lighting diyas, everything has a peculiar reason to it, here they are:

Observing Dhanteras, Bhai dooj as isolated festivals:

These are two well-known festivals that even a kid raised in an Indian family would know about. Dhanteras is a popular tradition to purchase utensils, electronics and gold jewellery. On Bhai Dooj, sisters give special gifts to their brothers and pray for their well-being and long life. We all know that, yes. But did you know, these smaller events are actually a part of Diwali. Diwali is not a one-day festival. It’s actually a five-day long festival beginning with Dhanteras (Festival of Wealth), Naraka Chaturdasi (Day before Diwali also called Choti Diwali), Amavasya (New moon), Kartika Shuddha Padyami (Day after Diwali) and Bhai Dooj (ritual commemorating brother-sister relationships).

Worshipping only Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali

For years, we have stood in front of idols with folded hands on the festival of lights. By now, we know that Goddess Lakshmi is the show stealer but do we know why? Lakshmi Puja is performed on the following day of Amavasya, the new moon night. It is widely believed that Goddess Lakshmi’s destroyer form (marak form) is active on this day and she is in search of the cleanest house to bring an end to all negative energies and offer blessings of fortune and prosperity to the family. It is precisely this reason why a broom is kept when prayers are done and the house doors are left open to welcome the goddess.

Cleaning the house before Diwali

Just as mentioned above, mythology suggests goddess Lakshmi enters only the cleanest houses to give her blessings. That’s why you hear mothers hyperventilating looking at that dust-laced furniture and cloth-laden bed boxes! How will the goddess touch upon you with all that dirt!

Lighting Diyas:

Yes, it is to celebrate the homecoming of Shri Ram, but that’s not it! Goddess Lakshmi is believed to enter not only the cleanest, but also the brightest house.

Making rangoli

Rangoli is preferably smeared at the main entrance of the house in the form of both - a belief and a custom. They beautify the entrances in the houses, but are also believed to keep bad spirits at bay as well as curb negativity. It further attracts wealth, happiness as well as prosperity into the house.

Playing Tambola/card games

It’s not just for fun, there’s mythological significance to this. Firstly, playing card games during Diwali is believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the year ahead. But it is also believed that Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva on this day. Elated with her victory, she announced that whoever gambled on Diwali night would mint wealth throughout the year. As Goddess Lakshmi is an incarnation of Parvati, she visits earth to bestow pecuniary benefits on anyone found gambling.

(Image credit: Economic Times)