Ram Ram, Namaste, Hare Krishna, Namaskaaram, Sai Ram, Bula, Salaam, Sat Shri Akaal !
Guru Jan Ko Pranaam !!
Guru Jan Ko Pranaam !!
Deepavali and it’s Significance
The beautiful, delightful, colourful and festive occasion of Deepavali is a 5 to 7-day celebration in many parts of India. Dhanteras, Yama Puja, Deepawali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Duj & Kali Puja fall around this time. However, it may differ in many parts of India and among Hindu communities around the world.
Our Pujye Guru Ji looks at the practical aspects of these celebrations.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is the celebration of good over evil – not the killing of evil around you, but within you. Light signifies knowledge, happiness, serenity, hopefulness, enjoyment and elation of human spirit.
Diwali is celebrated all around the world. The dates and time differ slightly. There is time difference between Suva, Sydney, Seattle and Srinagar. This indicates that there is no good or bad time to start your prayers. Whatever time the family is convenient and comfortable with.
Dhanteras aka Dhan Trayodashi
This falls on the 13th day of the diminishing lunar cycle. Rangoli (Hindu Folk Art) is decorated at the entrance of the house, as a welcome to knowledge, enjoyment and happiness etc. The whole family gathers together and light a single diya. Sometimes there are 11 wicks to the diya – it is not necessary. The important thing is to know the significance. 11 signifies 5 Gyan Indriya, 5 Karam Indriya and 1 Mun. We pray to the dieties to assist in controlling our senses (indriyas) and the mun (mind). The chanchal mun is the cause of all indiscretions. There are prayers and holy songs to Sri Ganesh Ji, Mata Lakshmi, Mata Saraswati etc.
There is not a single mantra or Vidhi to these pujas - they differ from Purohit to purohit, state to state, country to country.
Please consult your local Purohit or organisation. If in doubt you could ask Google Maharaj 
This day is in preparation of the next day’s prayers to Yamaraj Maharaj. We'll look at that in the next issue.
Any anomalies in these attempted translations are not meant to confuse you, but an indication of a lack of knowledge on my part. Please correct and use as you may see appropriate.
Muskuraate Raho
