Deepavali is a festival of lights which signifies the energy to life, and one of the biggest and major festivals celebrated. In fact we call Deepavali as Dodda Habba (Big festival). The name Deepavali (Deepa + Avali) gets its name from the row (avali) of earthenware lamps (deepa) that we light inside and outside our homes during the festival. In historic times, festival was also called as *Deevalige, Deepotsava, Deepapratipadotsava, and Deepamalika.
Deepavali is celebrated from Aashweeja Krishna Trayodashi (Aashweeja or Ashwin masa Krishna paksha Trayodashi tithi) to Kaartika Shudha Padya (Kaartika masa Shukla paksha Padya tithi).
*Deevalige - Torch (a long piece of wood, wound on at one end with long cloth-pieces or cotton, dipped in flammable oil, that burns when lit, used as a portable light.)
It is believed that Narakasura was born in Krita Yuga when a drop of sweat fell on earth from Varaaha while rescuing earth from Hiranyaksha. In Dwapara Yuga, Narakasura had grown very powerful asura king ruling Pragjyotishapura. He had conquered earth and heaven and had become the overlord of both. Addicted to power, he snatched away the celestial earrings of Aditi, the mother of devas.
Indra, the king of devas, sought Krishna's help to conquer the unconquerable Narakasura. Armed with his weapons, Krishna left for Pragjyotishapura along with his wife Satyabhama.
The chief defender of Narakasura's fort was Mura (Murasura) and he fell fighting Krishna. Krishna earned the name, Muraari, the enemy of Mura. Krishna attacked the great fortress of Narakasura and the battle was furiously fought. Finally, Krishna threw his Sudarshana Chakra at Narakasura and beheaded him.
The darkness was lifted as the dawn broke. That day is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, which signifies that we have to emerge from darkness to light.
Laxmi Pooja
According to legend, Lakshmi was born from the churning of the primeval milky ocean by the gods and demons. For this reason the goddess is also called Kshirabdhitanaya, daughter of the sea of milk. The episode of Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean) begins with a meeting between sage Durvaasa and Indra, the king of Swarga (heaven).
Once, Indra was riding on his divine elephant Airaavata, when he came across sage Durvaasa who offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the garland and placed it on the head of Airaavata. Airaavata pulled the garland with his trunk and smashed it on the ground. This enraged the sage Durvaasa, as the garland was a dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was to be treated as a prasaada (gift). Durvaasa cursed Indra to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.
Very soon, the asuras (demons) launched an attack on devas (gods) and drove them out of heaven. The devas sought Vishnu’s wisdom, who advised them to perform the churning of ocean with the help of asuras to get back the fortune (Sri / Lakshmi). Following the advice of Lord Vishnu, devas reconciled with the asuras and convinced them to carry out the churning of the ocean. Then they began churning of the ocean milk using mountain Mandara as the churning rod, and Vasuki as the churning rope.
During the churning many things rise up out of the ocean. It was during the churning itself that Lakshmi appeared from the ocean holding lotuses in her hands. Devas and sages prayed her. Then goddess Lakshmi places lotus garland around the neck of Vishnu and resides in the heart of Vishnu.
Bali Padya / Padyami
Bali Chakravarty, one of the greatest kings, is the grandson of Prahlada, and a descendant of sage Kashyapa. Though he was a danava (demon), he never deviated from the path of truth or dharma. He was a great devotee of Vishnu and was praised by everyone.
Bali Chakravarty was a very powerful danava king. He had the entire world under his control. As per his guru Shukracharya’s advice, to have the seat of Indra permanently, he started performing Ashwamedha yajna. He had done 99 Ashwamedha yajnas. If he had completed the 100th ashwamedha yajna, he would become eligible for the post of Indra.
Indra sought the help of Vishnu to avoid him being dethroned by king Bali. Vishnu assured Indra and took birth as the child of Aditi and Kashyapa maharshi. After Upanayana (thread ceremony), the small vatu (a young brahmin boy), Vaamana (the dwarf) went to Bali Chakravarty, where he was doing Ashwamedha yajna.
On seeing a little brahmachaari (bachelor Brahmin), king Bali greeted him with utmost respect and told him that whatever Vaamana would like to have as a gift, he would give. Vaamana asked just three steps of land; and he said he would measure it all by himself. Bali Chakravarty agreed to gift three steps of land to Vaamana even after knowing that the little vatu is Vishnu himself by his guru Shukracharya.
The dwarf Vammana started growing and filled the entire universe in all directions leaving no space. Now, Vaamana turned Trivikrama, with his first step, covered all of Earth. His second step covered all of the Sky. Since Bali did not have anything other than these, he showed his head as the third place and Trivikrama then took the third step and pushed Bali into paatala loka (underworld).
The pious king Bali pleased Vishnu by his act of charity and became endeared to the world by that act. Pleased by his act, Vishnu made him king of paatala loka and became the guardian and protector of Bali's fort and palace. He was also given the privilege that he will be allowed to rule the entire universe and can visit the earth for 3 days in a year.
Bali Chakravarty and his wife Vindhyavali is remembered and worshipped for three (3) days - Aashweeja Krishna Chaturdashi to Kaartika Shudha Padya - every year.
Customs
The first day of Deepavali (Aashweeja Krishna Trayodashi) is more of preparations for the next three days of the festival. We collect Shindle kaayi balli (This is a creeper / climber plant belongs to cucumber family but tastes bitter. Hence not used in kitchen but has many medicinal properties) to tie around the neck of hande (wash-boiler), and kadubina dalle (olden days copper steamer cooker). We wash and clean all the agricultural tools and equipment for Ayudha pooja on padya. The wash-boiler, copper steamer cooker, tools and equipment, and Tulasi katte (Tulasi pot) are decorated with Kemmannu (kind of red soil), and Shedi (Lithomargic clay - white silty soil).
We collect areca nut, shingara (areca nut flower), betel leaves, naaru (plant bark which can be used as thread), pacche tene (literally it means emerald spikelets. The truth is that this is a plant and is as precious as emerald. The spikelets of this plant smells too good and keeps the environment fresh), and we make garlands out of these.
We decorate Mogekaayi (a vegetable in cucumber family), and cucumber fruit (ripened cucumber) with kemmannu and shedi. We sketch face of Bali Chakravarty on Mogekaayi and his wife Vindhyavali on cucumber with homemade kaajal. Mane (wood base) and copper Kalash are also decorated with designs using kemmannu and shedi.
The beauty of our festivals is that we make use of either what we grow or what is naturally available around us for festive decorations at the max.
Shedi (Lithomargic clay - white silty soil), and Kemmannu (kind of red soil)
The Next day - Aashweeja Krishna Chaturdashi – is Naraka Chaturdashi and also Balivendra arrives on this day. On the day, everyone apply oil on their body and take bath – Abhyanga snan. The ladies of the family apply oil on head and tilak on forehead of the male members of the family and perform aarati to them before taking bath.
Home is decorated with flowers, mango leaves, and rangoli. The whole shingara (areca nut flower) is kept near Tulasi katte and pooja is done there. That marks the arrival of Balivendra or Bali Chakravarty. Then in pooja room Balivedra is placed on decorated Mane (wood base) along with his wife Vindhyavali. shingara (areca nut flower) is placed on Balivedra as his crown and shingara cover designed with kaajal as his sword.
Varieties of festive dishes are prepared and sweet dish for Naraka Chaturdashi is Govekaayi (pumpkin) Kadubu. Once everything is ready, we keep all the dishes in front of god in pooja room. Naivedya is offered to god and to Balivedra. Pooja and aarti is done chanting mantras, singing songs, ringing bells, and blowing shankh (conch shell).
Naraka Chaturdashi is observed as a day to eliminate all evil and idleness from our life. We pray god to eradicate all wickedness and also bring a new dawn into our life.
In the afternoon delicious meal is enjoyed with family members. In the evening we light row of hanate (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) in the front yard of the house. And, the preparations for the next day Lakshmi pooja begin.
These vegetables symbolizes Bali and his wife Vindhyavali
Lakshmi pooja
Lakshmi pooja is one of the most significant rituals of Deepavali celebrations. We pray to the Goddess of wealth on this day to receive blessings from her and wish for health, wealth, and prosperity.
Lakshmi pooja is on Aashweeja Krishna Amavaasya evening, the next day of Naraka Chaturdashi. Home is decorated with fresh mango leaves, flowers, and rangoli. Business premises like shop, offices also get ready with decorations for Lakshmi pooja, if one is running any kind of business.
The day also gets second pooja to Balivendra. And, naivedya with special sweet dish is offered to god and to Balivendra. Soon after lunch more preparations begin for Lakshmi pooja.
Goddess Lakshmi is decorated with flowers and placed near pooja mantap. We also place some coins and notes nearby. As Kadle (black chana / chickpeas) is considered more auspicious and noble for both Ganesha and Lakshmi, we prepare Kadle Usli for Laksmi pooja. We also prepare Kosambri, and sweet dishes. Keeping everything ready we wait for the evening to welcome goddess Lakshmi.
In the evening we worship goddess Lakshmi with utmost devotion and dedication. We light row of hanate (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) inside and outside of the house. Lakshmi pooja is done offering naivedya, chanting mantras, singing songs, ringing bells, and blowing shankh (conch shell). After aarati, prasad (food that was offered to goddess as naivedya) is distributed to everyone. After Lakshmi pooja at home, people who have business would go to business premises and perform Lakshmi pooja there with family, friends, and relatives.
Laxmi pooja
Bali Padya / Padyami
The fourth day, Kaartika Shukla Padya, is Bali Padya. We perform various pooja on Bali Padya. Early morning we clean and decorate cow hut and cows with areca nut garlands, flowers, Kemmannu (kind of red soil), and Shedi (Lithomargic clay - white silty soil). Tulasi katte is also decorated with flowers, and rangoli. Decorated agricultural tools and equipment are kept ready for Aayudh pooja. We also decorate and keep ready the main door (Main door is not the front door, there would be one door that is considered as Pradhan Baagilu or main door before pooja room in every household) for Hostilu pooja.
We prepare various festive dishes and the special dish for the day is delightful Holige. The delicious special Tellevu (A variety of thin dosa) is prepared with various ingredients. Varieties of traditional dishes are prepared to offer in naivedya during different pooja of the day.
First pooja of the day is Gopooja (worshipping the cows). gandha (sandalwood) – chandan (red sandalwood) – kumkum - arishina (haldi / turmeric powder) tilak is placed on foreheads of cows, calves, and buffalos. Flower is placed on their head and aarati is performed. Pooja is also performed to main pillar of the cow hut called kol kamba. After pooja, we feed the cattle with delicious dishes like holige, special tellevu, etc. Gopooja is performed to remember the importance of the cow in our life and to show appreciation and reverence for it.
Then we perform Tulasi pooja – second pooja of the day. Deepa (ghee / oil lamp) is placed near decorated Tulasi katte (Tulasi pot). Water and other holy items such as arishina (haldi), kumkum, akshata, and flowers are offered to Tulasi plant. Naivedya (sweet / fruits) is offered to Tulasi. After pooja and aarati we circumambulate Tulasi plant while chanting shlokas.
Next is Aayudh pooja – All the agricultural tools and equipment are worshipped by offering arishina (haldi), kumkum, akshata, and flowers. Fruits or sweet is offered in naivedya. Water is sprinkled, lamp is lit, and aarati is performed. Aayudh pooja is our way of expressing sincere, heartfelt gratitude to the tools and weapons that help give food and energy, and we thank them that add meaning to our life.
After aayudh pooja we perform Hostilu pooja. Water is sprinkled, arishina (haldi), kumkum, akshata, and flowers are placed on hostilu (threshold). Naivedya is offered, and aarati is done chanting mantra and singing relevant songs. We enter pooja room once hostile pooja is done to perform Balivedra pooja, and Lakshmi pooja followed by daily pooja rituals.
The day gets third pooja for Balivendra. Small quantities of all the dishes prepared are placed on banana leaves to offer Balivendra. Sacred items - arishina (haldi), kumkum, akshata, and flowers are offered to Balivendra, goddess Laxmi, and god. Naivedya is offered to Balivendra, goddess Laxmi, and god. Aarati is performed with ringing bells, chanting mantra, and singing songs.
After pooja, family members enjoy festive lunch together. Balivendrana Ede – the dishes that were previously offered to Balivedra on banana leaves – is distributed to male members of the family. This is not offered to ladies or children since it is believed that one who eats would become less intelligent like Balivendra.
In the evening we prepare for send-off of Balivedra. We light row of hanate (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) inside and outside of the house. We prepare three deevalige (a long piece of wood, wound on at one end with long cloth-pieces or cotton, dipped in flammable oil), and we lit one in farming land, one in the backyard, and third one near Tulasi katte as a source of light to show the path to Balivedra.
Balivedra is worshipped, and we take the shingara from pooja room and place near tulasi katte. Naivedya is offered, and aarati is performed. Then the shingara is thrown on top most roof of the house. And, everyone shouts dippada dippada divalgyo, makkala kaige holigyo, that means festival of lights, and holige for children. We also say to Balivedra ind hogi mund baa, i.e. we are sending off you today but do come next year.
