Diwali 2022: Dates, Muhurta, Rituals, and Significance

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Diwali is approaching, as seen by the intense enthusiasm, mad buying frenzy, and numerous bitter people who have been frustrated by recent traffic congestion. Dipotsav, also called Diwali, literally means the festival of lights. The Sanskrit poet Rajashekhara and the author of the famous Karpurmanjari called it 'Deepmalika'; the Garland of Lamps. Every year, the five-day festival of Diwali signals the beginning of the Hindu New Year. Although the Moon's position determines the precise dates each year, it typically falls between October and November. It will be held this year from October 22 to October 26, 2022.
Diwali brings joy and togetherness among us, illuminating not only our homes but also our hearts. Each of the festival's five days teaches us something and serves a significant purpose.

Dhanteras

Dhanteras marks the first day of Diwali. On October 22, the Dhanteras Puja Muhurta will be observed from 7:00 pm to 08:17 pm. It was on this day that the better half of Shri Vishnu, his consort, Maa Lakshmi, along with the other gems, appeared from the roaring waves of the gargantuan ocean. Constituting the eternal trio with Maa Kali and Maa Saraswati, she, along with Bhagwan Vishnu, governs the eternal affairs of both the seen and hidden worlds.
In Krishna Paksha or the dark fortnight of Kartika (October-November), on the thirteenth day (Trayodashi; trayo-three, dashi-ten; the total coming to the thirteenth day), Maa Lakshmi, the form of Shakti, along with Dhanwantri, is venerated by their devotees for both health and opulence, as wealth would do no good if mind and body are dampened or deprived of their essential vitality.
Hindus believe Maa Lakshmi to be of two types; the one seated on a full-bloomed lotus, the 'Goddess' herself, and the other, the 'Dhandayi,' or the bestower of riches. Along with the pure embodiment of the Goddess, it is the Dhandayi Maa Lakshmi in the form of silver and gold coinage that is glorified on Dhanteras. It is believed the buying of gold and silver on Dhanteras imparts the 'Lakshmi Tattva' with the necessary momentum, making her primly active. Also, the sur and taal of the bhajans sung by her admirers lure her to the devotee’s houses.
When the accumulated wealth, or Lakshmi, is channeled to the path of benevolence, it not only adds to the piles of earthly riches but also mysteriously inflates the pitcher of sublime karma that each one carries on his shoulders; it is considered the ultimate wealth for an earthly mortal!
It is the day when the homes and their precincts are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with fairy lights and rangoli; the traditional patterns, consisting of flowers and other geometric designs, are made; on this day, they chiefly constitute the images of Shri Krishna and Bhagwan Shiva. Shri Krishna is the 'Poornavatar' of Bhagwan Vishnu and Mahadev, revered as the Mahakaal.
Along with Lakshmi Pujan, the God of Health, Dhanwantri is invoked and the 'Naivedya', or sweets typically consisting of coriander seeds with jaggery, is offered in Maharashtra. Dhanteras splodges prosperity and is considered the most auspicious day of the year to make good purchases in the form of gold jewelry and automobiles.

Narak Chaturdashi

If Dhanteras is set out as the first day of Dipotsav all over the world, then 'Kali Chaudas' or Narak Chaturdashi splashes out the celebrations carried out on the second day. Legends have it that it was Shri Krishna who killed the Asura Narakasur, the founder of the Bhauma Dynasty, freeing 16000 women that he had forcibly retained.
The day is marked with sweets prepared from semolina, flour, and milk solids, with relatives visiting each other's houses. It will be observed on October 23 this year. The muhurta is scheduled to start at 05:05 pm and end at 06:27 pm.

Diwali

The third day is considered the most dramatic of all three. On the day of Diwali, that is, October 24th, besides the usual celebration of color, sweets, fireworks, lavishly decorated homes, and their patios, and shops with brightening oil lamps, an important part of the Vaishnava temples is the 'Kaangajao' puja.
On this day, Bhagwan Rama, Maa Sita, and their younger brother Laxman are believed to have returned after a 14-year exile. People decorate their homes and light clay diyas to brighten the environment as a sign of celebration. Even though Bhagwan Rama is honored throughout Diwali, Mata Lakshmi and Shri Ganesha are also worshipped in the evening.
On the eve of Diwali, Mata Lakshmi is said to visit each home, bestowing upon her devotee's great wealth and fortune. During puja ceremonies, the front door is left open as a symbol of welcoming the Mata into our homes.
At the Pradosh Kaal, Lakshmi Puja is performed starting after sunset. The auspicious festival of Lakshmi Puja will be observed this year on Monday, October 24, 2022, which is also known as Badi Diwali. The Lakshmi Puja Muhurta will begin at 06:53 pm and end at 08:15 pm.

Govardhana Puja

On the fourth day, the day of Govardhana following the sound of his flute, these divine mother forms would etch their way to wherever Shri Krishna was! It is again replete with staggering legends. This year it will be celebrated on October 26th as Surya Grahan falls on October 25th. The Govardhan Puja Muhurta begins at 06:28 am and ends at 08:43 am.
Shri Krishna, throughout his childhood and youth, loved cows. Following the sound of his flute, these divine mother forms would etch their way to wherever Shri Krishna was! On the day of Diwali, a cow and her calf are invited for the very next day's Govardhan puja, when Shri Krishna lifted the entire empyrean mountain on his small but sturdy finger to save 'Brij' from the wrath of haughty Indra.

Bhai Dooj

The fifth day forges the fraternity between a brother and his sister. Bhai Dooj falls on October 26. The muhurta will last from 01:12 pm to 03:26 pm. Feeding khichdi and vegetables to the brother traveling to his sister's house runs in parallel with Rani Yamuna, who willingly welcomed her brother Yama with a tilak on his forehead and fed him with the delicacy.
Shri Krishna is said to have gone to his sister Subhadra after destroying the demon Narakasura, where he lovingly welcomed his brother with sweets and flowers and placed a tilak on his forehead. Since then, this celebration has been known as "Bhai Dooj."
The chore of inviting brothers for a magnificent lunch of their favorite meals or sweets begins the ceremony. The entire event represents a brother's commitment to safeguarding his sister, while the sister prays to God for her brother's well-being.

The Meaning of Diwali in Different Religions

Celebrated and revered by numerous religious factions, each ethnic classification, whether Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, or Newar Buddhists, has a unique epithet to attach to it, as well as a distinct legend and lore to recite.
Every passing day of Dipmalika has much more to it than can be written or said. With so many narratives and myths intermingling; Dipotsav indeed turns out to be the most intriguing and mystical layer of the Hindu culture.
To Jains, it speaks of Mahavir Swami and his disciple Indrabhuti (later known as Gandhara Gautam) attaining Moksha or Nirvana, and to Buddhists, Diwali is 'Ashoka Vijayadashami', when dropping all violence, the great king had embraced Buddhism.
If for Sikhs it is the homecoming of their Guru Hargobind Singh from the clutches of power-drunk Jahangir, then for Hindus it is the return of Shri Ram with his consort Maa Sita and brother Laxman from their fourteen years of rigorous exile. During those years of abandonment, so much massive and tragic material was shaped, giving birth to one of the greatest epics of all time, the Ramayana.
With the many interludes to fill connecting all rivers of the Oriental faith; the delta seems to open to one elementary truth; in a tryst between right and wrong; knowledge and ignorance; the foremost must prevail.

Conclusion #

No matter how dark, only in the crevices can the piercing light be seen. Glorifying the triumph of good over evil, Dipmalika has a different raga to sing and, with those undertones of metaphysical reality, every form of life must strive on the pedestal of birth and death, lighting those wheat lamps for the Emperor of Death till the final luminescence is realized.

Happy Diwali !

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