There's a
nip in the air, the nights are clear, and one of
the most beautiful and gentle festivals of the
year is upon us. It's Tihar, or Diwali, as
they call it in India, 'the festival of
lights'. Coupled with glorious weather and
clear mountain views, with swings swinging, and
kites flying, Tihar is a delightful time in Nepal.
This holy-day
commemorates the victory of Rama over that
mega-monster, Ravana,
Ravana shaking MT Kailash
who acquired
his great, world-tormenting powers by performing,
right here in the Valley, at Gokarna, very severe
austerities, culminating in Ravana's tossing one by
one, each of his horrible heads into the sacrficial
fire.
Gokarna
temple
When Ravana got
down to one head, Brahma finally relented and gave
him a boon - not to be killed by anyone, except for
a human being. Ravana considered a human being
too weak for the task. So Lord Vishnu
incarnated as Sri Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, and
slayed the demon, after a lot of adventures, which
appears in that great epic, the Ramayana.
Tihar also
commemorates Rama & Sita's return from exile
after the slaying of Ravana. The lights that
are lit everywhere, recall the lights that the
inhabitants of Ayodhya lit to welcome back their
beloved prince.
The five days of the festival are called the 'five days of Yama', the god of Death. The first day, which this year is on October 25th is paying respect to Yama, the God of Death, by worshiping crows, who are his messengers.
The five days of the festival are called the 'five days of Yama', the god of Death. The first day, which this year is on October 25th is paying respect to Yama, the God of Death, by worshiping crows, who are his messengers.
The
following day, dogs, Yama's gate-keepers are
worshiped. The family pooch, and street
dogs, too, are fed garlanded and given tika on
that day.
(This year these days coincide because the appropriate astrological configurations occur on the same day...)
(This year these days coincide because the appropriate astrological configurations occur on the same day...)
On the evening
of the new moon day (Oct. 26th) , Goddess Lakshmi is
worshipped (along with the family wealth) for good
fortune and prosperity. People believe that
Goddess Lakshmi visits every house during Tihar and
gives blessings of peace and prosperity. People
light up rows of lamps in their houses to welcome
the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity and also to
light up her path.
Hindu mythology regards Goddess Lakshmi as the Goddess of Light, Beauty, Wealth and Good Fortune. She is said to be the daughter of sage Bhrigu, who took refuge in the ocean of milk and was reborn during the famous ocean churning process carried out by Gods and demons.
Deepawali is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Goddess of Wealth and hence Lakshmi Puja is a very important part of the celebrations. Also, with the Goddess of Fortune on everyone's minds, a lot of gambling takes place.
Hindu mythology regards Goddess Lakshmi as the Goddess of Light, Beauty, Wealth and Good Fortune. She is said to be the daughter of sage Bhrigu, who took refuge in the ocean of milk and was reborn during the famous ocean churning process carried out by Gods and demons.
Deepawali is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Goddess of Wealth and hence Lakshmi Puja is a very important part of the celebrations. Also, with the Goddess of Fortune on everyone's minds, a lot of gambling takes place.
Ravi Varma
From that day
onwards, for the next three days, groups of singers
roam all over the Valley, singing and dancing,
entertaining and collecting alms from all the
households. One can hear the familiar refrain
of these songs, 'dyo shi re' until late into the
night.
The next
morning (Oct 27th), cows are worshipped, and the
protective rakshabandana thread, that was tied
around one's wrist during the full-moon in August at
Janai Poorni, is removed and tied to the tail of a
cow, so that it might ferry you safely through the
underworld, if your number comes up this year.
The same
day occurs Govardhan Puja - bullocks are
worshipped in the morning, as Lord Krishna is
remembered for protecting the cow-herders of
Vrindavana by lifting Mount Govardhan to shelter
and shield them.
In the
evening, Mha Puja, the worship of one's own body,
or self, is performed, especially among
Newaris.
It's also Newari New Year's day 1132. For the next three days all the houses are illuminated with festive lights.
The fifth day
of Tihar (Oct 28th)is called Bhai Tika. It is
a day dedicated to sisters. In the Vedic era, Yama
(Yamraj, the Lord of Death) visited his sister
Yamuna on this day. He gave his sister a boon
that whosoever visits his sister on this day shall
be liberated from all sins. Thus, the tradition of
Bhai Tika continues.
May Goddess Lakshmi settle in your home and family, and foster all your endeavors!
Love
& Pranams,
Billy and Suzie (Lakshmi)
PS. I'm sending this notice a little early, because I will be spending Tihar/Deepavali in Chennai, South India, where I will be attending an 'International Vedic Chanting Seminar' at my Yoga Teacher's school. I would rather be in the Valley for this occassion, but this is a good opportunity or me to practice and study the South Indian style of Sanskrit chanting, which is not used here, and which I use every day in my Yoga. During that time, some holydays will be observed. We have the Pagan/Christian duo of Halloween and All Saints' Day (Oct 31/Nov 1) - a time to remember the dead lovingly, and try not to get spooked by them. And on November 6th, Lord Vishnu rises from his summer siesta on Haribodhini Ekadasi, (and daylight savings time ends...). Ascending/descending, rising again - for somebody who is already everywhere, Vishnu sure keeps busy, except maybe when he rests during the Cosmic Dissolution (Pralaya).
Billy and Suzie (Lakshmi)
PS. I'm sending this notice a little early, because I will be spending Tihar/Deepavali in Chennai, South India, where I will be attending an 'International Vedic Chanting Seminar' at my Yoga Teacher's school. I would rather be in the Valley for this occassion, but this is a good opportunity or me to practice and study the South Indian style of Sanskrit chanting, which is not used here, and which I use every day in my Yoga. During that time, some holydays will be observed. We have the Pagan/Christian duo of Halloween and All Saints' Day (Oct 31/Nov 1) - a time to remember the dead lovingly, and try not to get spooked by them. And on November 6th, Lord Vishnu rises from his summer siesta on Haribodhini Ekadasi, (and daylight savings time ends...). Ascending/descending, rising again - for somebody who is already everywhere, Vishnu sure keeps busy, except maybe when he rests during the Cosmic Dissolution (Pralaya).