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Call it irony but India’s famous Hindu festival of love '<keyword id="469225" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhau-Beej">Bhau Beej</keyword>' also called '<keyword id="59958" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhai-Dooj">Bhai Dooj</keyword>' has surprizingly coincided with Friday the 13th this year, what the West considers to be the most unlucky day of the year! 
 
Also known as Black Friday, it is more than just a date. It occurs when the 13th day of the month in the Gregorian (Christian) calendar falls on a Friday. The superstition around this day is thought to have come about during the middle ages. Some historians have claimed it was the day on which Eve bit the apple from the Tree of Knowledge. Others say Jesus was crucified on a Friday and ever since the day has been associated with general ill omen. Most years have just one or two Friday the 13ths. However interestingly, this year has seen three in total in the months of February, March and the last being today. 
 Today’s <keyword id="70509" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Friday-the-13th">Friday the 13th</keyword> is also the fifth and last day of festival of lights – <keyword id="188" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Diwali">Diwali</keyword> - which falls on a new moon night and is celebrated by Hindus across the world as ‘Bhai Dooj’. The occasion sees sisters ceremonize their love by putting an auspicious tilak or a vermilion mark on the forehead of their brothers and perform an aarti by showing him the light of the holy flame as a mark of love and protection from evil forces. 
 
It is believed that on this day, Lord Krishna went to his sister Subhadra after slaying the Narakasura demon, who welcomed him with a holy lamp, flowers and sweets and put the holy protective spot on his forehead. Yet another belief behind the origin of Bhai Dooj is that when Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, attained moksha, his brother King Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been revered during Bhai Dooj as it is called in Northern India, Bhai Pota in West Bengal, Bhai Tika in Nepal. 
 
Both the significant events are rooted in historical beliefs, the stark difference being while one is a joyous day for brothers and sisters in one part of the world, it’s a haunted day where everything is meant to go wrong for the other. Notably, yhe next February, March and November Friday the 13th year will occur 11 years later in 2026. As India wishes each other a joyous <keyword id="3135499" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhai-Dooj-2015">Bhai Dooj 2015</keyword>, here are some interesting tweets showing how our foreign brothers and sisters are cautioning each other to stay indoors on this ‘doomed’ day: 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Happy Friday the 13th <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FridayThe13th?src=hash">#FridayThe13th</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JasonVoorhees?src=hash">#JasonVoorhees</a> Stay outta the woods... <a href="https://t.co/bI0X0e2sh2">pic.twitter.com/bI0X0e2sh2</a>
	— LK (@lordkayoss) <a href="https://twitter.com/lordkayoss/status/665081179440287744">November 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Be lucky! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FridayThe13th?src=hash">#FridayThe13th</a> 😱😱😱 <a href="https://t.co/DVriVVvsFZ">pic.twitter.com/DVriVVvsFZ</a>
	— UKHaunted ® (@UKHaunted) <a href="https://twitter.com/UKHaunted/status/665103134033846272">November 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Enjoy your Friday ... and be careful if you are gonna go outdoors this morning. It's windy outside! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FridayThe13th?src=hash">#FridayThe13th</a>
	— Joseph J. Pratt (@pghjoseph) <a href="https://twitter.com/pghjoseph/status/665126470713479168">November 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Hayyyyyyy. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FridayThe13th?src=hash">#FridayThe13th</a> <a href="https://t.co/vgPmXW3Jy6">pic.twitter.com/vgPmXW3Jy6</a>
	— daniel (@onlydaddybirds) <a href="https://twitter.com/onlydaddybirds/status/665126422214676481">November 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Good morning. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FridayThe13th?src=hash">#FridayThe13th</a> flow. Week was already fukd up. Whats the worse that cld happen? 😤😤😤 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringItOn?src=hash">#BringItOn</a>
	— PettyRock✌ (@iCurlBANGS) <a href="https://twitter.com/iCurlBANGS/status/665126087769198593">November 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

Friday the 13th! A joyous 'Bhai Dooj' for India, but a 'haunted' day for the West

Diwali is celebrated as the festival heralding the victory of good over evil. Diwali is one notable festival that connects Indian together. In fact, along with the Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists too have their own versions of Diwali. Hence there is something unique and grand about this festival. Diwali is also known by some other names. There are some interesting legends associated with these different names of Diwali. Here are a few interesting names and stories connected to Diwali that you might not have known. Some known legends Diwali is celebrated as the day of victory of good over the evil. There are three popular stories associated with Diwali for the Hindus. Hindus celebrate Diwali as the day of Rama’s return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile in the forest and a triumphant victory over the demon king Ravana. In some parts of India, Diwali marks the start of Mahabharata war. Hence in some regions, the scenes of Mahabharata are enacted on this day. This day also marks the victory of Krishna and his consort Satyabhama over the demon Narakasur. Bhau Beej In Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Diwali is also known by the name Bhau Beej. In the northern parts of the nation, this version of Diwali is called by other names such as Bhai Tika, Bhathru Dwithiya, Bhai Dooj. A legend says that it was on this day that Yama, the god of death visited his sister Yamuna. Hence this day is also known by the name Yama Dwitiya. Yama is received on this day with some interesting offerings and pujas. Balipratipada During the incarnation of Vamana, the fourth descent of Vishnu on this earth, the Lord took the form of a small boy and subdued the demon Mahabali by asking for alms and measuring the three worlds by assuming a cosmic form. After this process of taking away the three worlds from the demon king, Mahabali was sent to the netherworlds on the day of Diwali known as Balipratipada. The day of Nirvana Jains celebrate Diwali in the name Dipalika or the splendor of lamps. It was on this day that Mahavir, the twenty fourth Tirtankar of Jainism attained Nirvana or Moksha in Pawanpuri of Bihar. In the text known as Harivamsha Purana written by Acharya Jinasena, he has mentioned that the Tirtankars decorated the Pavanagiri with lamps to celebrate the occasion. Swetambar Jains observe fasting for three days around this time. Congregational prayers and readings from Mahavira;s teachings are very popular on this day. For Jains, this day also marks the birth of a new year. Hence on this day, they greet others with the slogan ‘Nava Saal Mubarak’ which means Happy New Year. Diwali for the Sikhs Sikhs celebrate Diwali as Bandi Chhor Diwas meaning the day of liberation. It was on this day in 1619 that their sixth Guru Hargobind Singh was released from the prison of Jahangir. The festival that unites The most common theme of the different versions of Diwali is the triumph of good over evil. Hence Diwali is celebrated as the festival of lights by several communities in India. Lighting of lamps, feasts, prayers, pujas, charities, merriment and fireworks are some of the common characteristics of Diwali celebrations by the different communities.

Some lesser known facts about Diwali-- a festival that has many versions in  India

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=%E2%80%8BDiwali">Diwali</a> is one of the most important festivals celebrated in India. It is not only an official public holiday not only in India, but in many neighbouring countries like Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Trinidad &amp; Tobago, Myanmar, Surinam and Fiji. Expedia lists down <keyword id="24194" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="destinations">destinations</keyword> that will comfort your <keyword id="6354692" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword> itch, without missing on the festivities. 
 
Destinations in India 
 
Jaipur: One must visit this place to experience the beauty and energy of the festival. The famous pink city welcomes the tourists with beautifully colored lit and decorated lights. The city is adorned with lamps and local musicians performing on the streets. The markets here sell over a thousand types of earthen lamps in many shapes, sizes and colors and the markets are flooded with traditional clothes and handicrafts. Each year, there's a competition for the best decorated and most brilliantly lit up market. Apart from a feast to the eyes, you can treat your palate to delicious sweets and food items. 
 
Varanasi: The Ghats of Ganga are lit up with thousands of diyas, giving it a mesmerizing view. The light of the countless floating candles and lamps illuminates the holy river beautifully. Tourists enjoy the Special Ganga Aarti on the irradiated Ghats making it a different experience altogether. 
 
Goa: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=%E2%80%8BDiwali">Diwali</a> in Goa is also known as Narak Chaturdasi and the town celebrates the destruction of demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. The houses are decorated with kandeels (lanterns). Competitions are held to see who can make the biggest and scariest effigy of the demon. The effigies burned at dawn on Narakasura Chaturdashi, the day before the main day of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=%E2%80%8BDiwali">Diwali</a>. Also popular for its casinos, the place attracts a lot of tourists as gambling is also a popular activity during <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=%E2%80%8BDiwali">Diwali</a>. 
 
Amritsar: The Golden Temple is draped with brightly lit lights on the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=%E2%80%8BDiwali">Diwali</a> evening making it an extravagant spectacle for the onlookers. The edge of the lake is fringed with countless oil lamps and candles lit by devotees. The reflection of the diyas on the water creates a truly magical environment. It is quite a sight to behold. 
 
Foreign destinations 
 
London: The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=%E2%80%8BDiwali">Diwali Festival</a> in London is organised by the Mayor of London in cooperation with the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=%E2%80%8BDiwali">Diwali</a> in London Committee. This year's event will be hosted alongside the National Army Museum to commemorate the role India played in World War I and will pay tribute to the soldiers of the British Empire and Commonwealth. Starting with children parade, the show is followed by number of other dance sequences, including Indian folk dances. 
 
Singapore: Singapore is the one of the destination chosen by Indians to celebrate <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=%E2%80%8BDiwali">Diwali</a>. The massive decorations which starts from the streets and extends to the colonies and homes especially in Serangoon Road which is also called little India of Singapore. Special festival events like the Festival Village, the Fire-Walking Festival and the UTSAV Street Parade have been planned by the Singaporean authorities. 
 
Malaysia- Just like India, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=%E2%80%8BDiwali">Diwali</a> is an official holiday in Malaysia and people gather around to celebrate it together. Decorations such as colourful paper lanterns and kolam (rangoli) are put up to decorate homes. Known as Little India in Kuala Lumpur, places like Brickfields, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Masjid Jamek, and Monorail are a few places to enjoy the festival. 
 
Nepal: Also known as Tihar, <keyword id="188" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Diwali">Diwali</keyword> is a five-day Nepalese festival, each dedicated to a different God. The traditions vary from those followed in India. It is all about worshiping of different animals and worshiping of the Hindu Goddess of Fortune or Wealth. The last day of the festival is known as Tika day or popularly known as Bhai Tika day. It is also one of the biggest shopping seasons in Nepal. 
 
(The article has been authored by Mr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Expedia India)

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Friday the 13th! A joyous 'Bhai Dooj' for India, but a 'haunted' day for the West

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Some lesser known facts about Diwali-- a festival that has many versions in India

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Places to explore during Diwali

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