The document provides information about Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. It discusses the significance and origins of Diwali according to different regions of India. It describes the celebrations and rituals over the 5 days of Diwali, including worshipping Lakshmi and other deities, lighting lamps, decorating homes with rangoli designs, and enjoying fireworks. It also lists the ingredients used in Diwali puja ceremonies and provides some health and wellness tips for enjoying the festival.

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Happy Diwali 2014
Significance of Diwali
5 Days of Diwali
Rangoli
Diwali Celebrations
Fireworks
Pooja Thali Ingredients
Tips on Diwali

2. Significance of Diwali
The origin of Diwali festival is not known, but it has gathered a
number of legends around it over the centuries.
In the northern and the western regions of India, its origin is
attributed to the return of Lord Ram to his kingdom after
defeating the demon king Ravana.
The joyous people of Ayodhya, his capital, celebrated his
arrival. In the eastern states, Diwali is associated with the story
of Narakasura who had menaced his people with tyranny.
In the regions of Maharashtra and Mysore, Diwali is linked with the
legendary king Bali who was immensely popular with his subjects for his
generosity.
However, king Bali had become arrogant and conceited, and provoked the
wrath of godly people. His generosity was put to test by Lord Vishnu who
appeared in the disguise of a dwarf, and asked him for a piece of land
equal to three steps. When Bali granted his wish, Lord Vishnu took the
form of a super giant, and with his two steps covered Bali's entire
kingdom. With his third step he pushed Bali to the underland. Since then,
his people celebrated his arrival on this day, locally called Bali Padyami.

3. “The 5 Days of Diwali”
The First day is called DHANTERAS which falls on the
thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The word "Dhan"
means wealth.
The Second day is called "NARKA-CHATURDASHI" or
"CHOTI DIWALI" which falls on the fourteenth day of the
month of Ashwin.
The Third Day is the main Diwali Day: This day is sacred to
Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. This is a day of
celebration, feast and joy. Young and elders, poor or rich,
everyone enjoys alike. This "festival of lights", for the
common practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and
place them around the home.
Day 4 of Diwali is ‘Nutan Varsh' the Hindu New Year's day
for many regions of India. It is also observed as Annakoot,
meaning mountain of food.
The Fifth and final day of Diwali Festival is known as Bhai-
Duj. Love and Good wishes between brother and Sister.

4. Rangoli is an Indian tradition or folk art, which is generally
created on the floor on some festive occasions
Diwali festival witnesses the greatest use of
rangoli. People made rangoli on the entrance
doors of their homes, not only to welcome
guests, but also the goddess of wealth and
fortune- Laxmi.
Rangoli is named differently in different Indian
states like in South India it is called Kolam,
Madana is Rajasthan, Chowkpurna is the name
of rangoli in Northern India, Alpana in Bengal, in
Bihar it is called Aripana,

5. “Diwali – The Festival of Lights”
Diwali puja consists of a
combined pooja of five deities:
Ganesha is worshipped at the
beginning of every auspicious
act as Vighnaharta,
Goddess Lakshmi is
worshipped in her three forms
Mahalakshmi, the goddess of
wealth and money,
Mahasaraswati, the goddess
of books and learning and
Mahakali.
People also worship 'Kuber'-
the treasurer of the gods.

6. The literal meaning of
'Diwali' in Sanskrit is 'a
row of lamps'. The most
popular tradition of Diwali
is filling little clay lamps
with oil and wick and
lighting them in rows all
over the house.
Diwali
Celebrations
People renovate and decorate
their houses and business
places. Entrances are made
colorful with lovely traditional
motifs of Rangoli designs to
welcome Laxmi. To indicate her
long awaited arrival, small
footprints are drawn with rice
flour and vermilion powder
(kumkum) all over the houses.

7. Fireworks play a significant role in
increasing its charm among all
age-groups.
Whether they are kids,
youngsters, or older people,
everybody enjoys fireworks like
twinkling Anars, furious Rockets,
vibrant Sparklers, cyclonic Ground
Discs (phirki) etc

8. Puja Thali Ingredients
 Rice: It is generally referred as Akshat which means
unbroken rice grains
 Kalalava or Mouli: An integral part of the puja, the thread
is used as an offering of cloth to the deity.
 Roli or Sindoor: a 'tilak' on the forehead and also for
decorating the thali with varied religious symbols like a
“Swastika” or an “Om”.
 Sweets, Dry Fruits and Fruits: Various kind of dry fruits,
fresh fruits and sweets are used as offerings in pooja thali.
 Betel nut and Betel Leaf: The betel leaf symbolizes
freshness and prosperity
 Diyas, incense sticks and fresh flowers:. The diya
symbolizes lighting up life and chasing away darkness.

9. TIPS ON DIWALI
Gift the gift of Health
Make some healthy additions to the contents of your gift baskets. Include fresh and
dried fruit, unsalted nuts and seeds, high quality organic oil, some organic teas and
may be a book on Healthy Living..
Stay active
Stay active and aim to do some exercise every day. Days before the festivities increase the time
of your regular exercise regime. Just adding 15 minutes of cardio can go a long way. A daily 15
- 20 minute brisk walk will help compensate for some of the extra calories being consumed.
Eat fruits and veggies
Balance home cooking and social eating by baking, grilling, or steaming what you serve at home, instead
of frying. Choose fresh fruit instead of a traditional sweet for a snack or dessert. Eat as many “grow”
foods as possible.
Graze on Healthy Snacks
Don’t head out to a party on an empty stomach. This will help prevent you from overeating.
Keep healthy snacks like kale chips, sprouted mung beans, boiled kala channa, carrots,
cucumbers, and hummus handy
Eat in moderation
Fatty foods, sweets and other fried snacks should be enjoyed in small amounts.
Replace table sugar in sweets with healthy alternatives like raw honey, coconut
sugar, maple syrup, dates or stevia. Add some cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla or fruit
concentrate to perk up the sweetness