Dhanteras
The festival of Dhanteras will be celebrated on 29 October, 2024. The significant festival of Diwali celebrated by Hindus, begins on the auspicious day of Dhanteras. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm starting from Dhanteras, then narak chaturthi, Deepavali, Govardhan puja and finally ending at bhai dooj. During the evening of Dhantrayodashi or Dhanteras lamps are lit at the main entrance and courtyard of the house. According to mythology, on the day of Dhanteras bhagwan Dhanwantari emerged at the time of samudramanthan, Dhanwantari ji bought Amrit Kalash and Ayurveda along with him. Lord Dhanwanti is considered to be the god of medicines and the physician of gods.
On the day of Dhan trayodashi the houses are white washed and cleaned, rangoli is made, during the evening lamps are lit and we evocate goddess lakshmi. On the day of Dhanteras buying gold and silver jewellery or utensils is considered to be auspicious. According to valediction if you purchase something on this day, then there will be prosperity and happiness in your home throughout. On this day we worship the scriptures of ayurveda.
Narak Chaturdashi
Narak chaturdashi will be celebrated on 31 October 2024. Narak chaturdashi is also called as chhoti Deepavali. By doing Narak chaturdashi puja we can be free from early death and we also worship Yamraj for perfect health. Narak chaturdashi is celebrated one day before Deepawali and we light the lamps after dusk. Narak chaturdashi is also known as ‘Roop chaturdashi.’ On this day we should worship lord Krishna, as by doing this our beauty is realised. On the morning of Narak chaturdashi a mixture of flour, oil and turmeric is prepared. Apply this mixture on your body, dip the leaves of Achyranthes Aspera in water and take bath. On this day special puja is done. After the puja lamps are kept in different places in the house and incense is lit in front of Ganesh and Lakshmi ji. Later in the evening, we will do deepdaan. This Deepdaan is done for lord Yama, Yamraj. If the devotees do puja in a proper way then they will be free from all sins and will experience spiritual peace and will get the blessings of ishtdev.
Diwali
This year the festival of diwali will be celebrated on 01 November with great enthusiasm. The festival of Diwali is celebrated on the Amavasya of Kartik month. This five day festival is celebrated by the people of all sections with great delight and ecstasy. The festival of Diwali starting from Kartik Krishna paksha trayodashi continuing till the dwitiya of Kartik shukla paksha brings in great propensity, growth in business and pleasures. According to mythology, on the Amavasya of Kartik krishna paksha Lakshmi ji appeared during the time of samudra manthan hence on the day of Diwali we have Lakshmi Puja. Along with this we also do Ganesh Puja.
On the day of Diwali new stylus, pens and ledger accounts are worshipped. It is believed that on the day of Diwali Goddess Lakshmi wanders on Earth. Therefore we light lamps to welcome goddess Lakshmi. Lamps are lit in all corners of the house, so that there is darkness nowhere. On this day Deepdaan is of particular importance. This day is also called as ‘Mahanishth kaal’ hence eliminating darkness and advent light which brings in happiness and prosperity. Deepdaan brings growth in your results.
Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja (Annkoot Pujan) will thrive on 2 November, 2024. The festival of Govardhan Puja is celebrated on the day of Kartik Shukla Paksha Pratipada. Govardhan puja is done on the next day of Deepavali. Worshipping Krishna and nature indicates devotion and respect and brings positivity in our life. On this day annkoot is done in temples and during the evening time Govardhan is made with cow dung and then worshipped. On this day we worship the Fire lord (agni devta), god of rain (Indra devta) and River god (Varun devta). On this day we do the puja of cow using flower garland, Incense and sandalwood.
This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and glee in North India, especially in Mathura. In Govardhan Puja we make a Govardhan with cow dung and worship it and Annkoot bhog is offered. In Shrimad Bhagwat it is mentioned at several places, according to which lord Krishna collapsed Indra’s ego on this day and called forth to worship Parvat raj Govardhan ji. That is why even today, Govardhan puja is held at dusk on the second day of Diwali.
Bhai Dooj
The festival of Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on 3 November 2024. The shukla paksha of dwitiya tithi of Kartik month is celebrated as Bhai dooj and Yama dwitiya. The festival of Bhai dooj signifies the deep love and faith of the sister’s towards their brothers. Sister’s apply tilak on the forehead of their brothers and celebrate the festival and pray to god for the long life of their brothers.
According to mythology, this festival is the epitome of the love and faith between Yamuna and his brother Yama which is set in the hearts of people even in the modern times, worshipping which all the sister’s pray for a happy life for their brother and are able to present their affection towards them. This festival is celebrated two days after Deepavali. This day is also known as ‘Yama dwitiya.’ That is why we also worship lord Yama on this occasion. According to one theory whoever worships lord Yama does not have the fear of premature death.