This lecture will give a clear idea of the Hindu festival's basis of mythological stories. There are few festivals that are being celebrated in all around the world. These festivals turned out to be a community festival than just the religious festival. People of all religions in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Bhutan, etc. celebrate them together. Holi and Diwali festival is more popular among common people. This talk will make you understand the uniqueness of these festivals particularly why Diwali (Festival of light) is being celebrated and in general, you will know about popular God and Goddess of the Hindus.

1. Globalization
of Hindu festival
around the world
(Deepawali)
Presenter- Debesh Jha
Nepal
1

2. Contents
• Deepawali (Tihar)- Festival of lights.
• Hindu Festival’s basis of mythological stories.

3. Deepawali (Tihar)
Lights
Colors Sweets
Joy
Happiness
 Deepawali is a festival of light.
 Houses are decorated with lantern.
 It is celebrated all around the world.
 Deepawali lasts for 5 days.
 It falls between mid-October and mid-
November.
 The festival is in honour of the Goddess
Lakshmi .

4.  Deepawali- Spiritual significance
 Light represent knowledge.
 Light removes darkness.
 Hope over despair.
 Good over evil.
 Various communities mark charitable causes, kindness, and for peace.
 Deepawali-Festival of peace
Deepawali (Tihar)

5. Deepawali Preparation
 Cleaning
 Renovating
 Decorations of houses , offices and temples
 Shopping
 Rangoli
 Family get together
 Preparation of sweets
 Collection different lights

6. Deepawali Prayer
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योततगगमय ।
मृत्योमाग अमृतं गमय ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Translation:
From untruth lead us to Truth
From darkness lead us to Light
From death lead us to Immortality
Om peace, peace, peace.

7. TIHAR(YAMAPANCHAK)
1st Day: ( Kaag Tihar (Worship of Crow))
 Crows are worshiped .
 People offer food items on the roofs for crows to eat.
 people believe Cawing of Crows & ravens symbolizes
sadness & grief.
 Devotees offer crows and ravens food to avert grief and
death in their homes.
 It shows Crows are Ecologically important.

8. 2nd Day: ( Kukur Tihar(Worship of Dog))
 Dedicated to the most loyal friend of mankind.
 People offer garlands , tika and delicious food.
 It is said dog can see endangers and the death coming.
 This day is also observed as Narka Chaturdashi.

9. 3rd Day : Gai Tihar( Worship of the Cow) & Laxmi
puja(Worship of Goddess Laxmi)
 In morning cow is worshiped.
 People show their gratefulness to the cow by garlanding
and feeding them with best grass.
 Houses are cleaned and the doorways and windows are
decorated with garlands made of marigolds.
 Gai Tihar ( Worship of the Cow)

10. 3rd Day : Gai Tihar( Worship of the Cow) & Laxmi
puja(Worship of the Goddess Laxmi)
 In the evening Goddess Laxmi is worshipped for prosperity and
well being.
 Small designs of footsteps are painted.
 Candles are lit making house beautiful and bright.
 At Night youths enjoy dancing and visiting all the houses of
neighborhood with musical instruments playing Deusi and Bhailo.
 Fire crackers are blown in this day.
 It is believed that pleasing Laxmi gives us wealth and fortune.
 Laxmi puja (Worship of the Goddess Laxmi)

11. 4th Day :Gobardhan Puja ( Worship of the Oxen)
 On these days there are different pujas, depending on the people’s
cultural background.
 It is observed as Goru Tihar.
 Some people Worship Gobardhan mountain.
 Devotees prepare vegetarian food and offer to God.
 It is believed that God will protect all devotees.
 This day is the beginning of new Nepal Sambat calendar year.

12. 5th Day: Bhai Tika (Festival of Brother and Sister)
Sisters put ‘tika’ to the foreheads of their brothers.
Believed to ensure long life of their brothers.
Sister offers brothers with gifts.
Believed that one who receives ‘tika’ from the sister will never die
on that day.
The one who does not have brother or sister goes to temple.

13. mythological stories- Deepawali
The stories of Rama and Sita
 After 14 years of exile from the forest , Lord Rama returned to his
kingdom Ayodhya.
 Before that , they defeated Ravana in a fierce war, Ravana has
kidnapped Rama’s wife , sita.
After the victory of Good over evil , Ayodhya people welcomed
them by lighting rows of clay lamps.
It is an occasion in honor of Rama’s victory over Ravana; of truth
victory over Evil .
These festival continue every year at Deepawali and are
still celebrated today.

14.  The Story of King Bali and Vamana Avatar (the Dwarf)
mythological stories- Deepawali (contd.. )
 King Bali was a ruler of 3 world and was generous but ambitious as well.
Some of the God pleaded Vishnu to check King Bali’s power.
Dwarf begged the king to provide him the space to cover three strides.
Dwarf changed into Lord Vishnu and his three strides covered the Earth, the Skies
and the whole universe.
King Bali was sent to the underworld.
As a part of Deepawali, some people remember king Bali.

15. The Defeat of Narkasur by Lord Krishna
 Demon Narkasura was causing great unhappiness among the people
around the world.
 He used to kidnap young beautiful women and force to live with him.
Their cries for the rescue was heard by lord Vishnu who came in the form of
Krishna.
Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to others. Krishna granted
him the request.
This stories is a reminder that good can still come out of the evil.
mythological stories- Deepawali (contd.. )

16. Krishna and the mountain
 In the village of Gokula, many years ago people prayed to the God Indra.
They believed that Indra sent the rains, which made their crops, grow.
Krishna persuaded the people to worship the mountain Govardhan, because
the mountain and land around it was fertile.
 These did not please Indra. He sent thunder and torrential rain down on the
village .
Krishna saved the villagers by lifting down the mountain with his finger.
People offer food to God on this day.
mythological stories- Deepawali (contd.. )

17. Deepawali Around the Globe
 Deepawali is celebrated around the world.
 It is famous in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, USA, United Kingdom, Australia,
Newzland, Canada , South Africa, and all around the world.
 It is an official holiday in Fiji, Guyana, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Mauritius,
Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Srilanka, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
 Deepawali is growing as a local culture in all around the world.

18. Deepawali Around the Globe(Contd.)
Sydney Canada United Kingdom
Singapore Japan Srilanka

19. Economics in Deepawali
 Marks as major shopping period in Nepal and India.
 Spending and purchases are considered as auspicious.
 It is a boom season for Firecracker industry, oil and ghee Industry, pottery industry, and
sweets industry.
 Government collects tax.
 New product launches.
 Entering the market.
 The online-shopping revolution.

20. Problems with festival
 Ecology
 Air pollution
 Noise pollution
 Garbage
 Physical
 Accidents
 Burn injuries
 Gambling

21. At end
 Deepawali help us to learn from previous mistake.
 It symbolizes the passing of valuable lessons, morals and wisdom.
 It encourages our diverse communities to celebrate together the spirit
of peace , truth and friendship.

22. Thank you
Q & A