What are some religious aspects of Diwali?  

Though I understand that Diwali is celebrated differently in different parts of India, traditions can span all over India. It is generalized that people in South India usually take oil baths in the morning. Puja in South India is more associated with Laksmi, while in North India Puja is more associated with Ram (to have returned to Ayodhya) or with Goddess Kali. However, on Diwali day, families wake up at 4am all over India.

However, there is one tradition which is special to the state of West Bengal (Calcutta is in this state), they have special pujas for Kali. It is even said that in these pujas they use fish. Using of non-vegetarian food in pujas is taboo, but as fish is a very integral part of Bengalis diet and life, it is used in some special puja.

Answered by Vipan Thapar at 1:59 PM on October 23, 2008

The main religious significance of Diwali is to forgive and forget, to clear the mind of evil and reflect over the past year's events.

In preparation for Diwali, house and shops are scrubbed clean and doorsteps are decorated with multi-coloured designs called 'Rangoli'. Houses are painted inside and outside. New pots and pans are bought. Even the animals are washed, groomed and decorated.

People wear their best clothes or buy new ones. Very often gifts are exchanged between families and friends.

Elaborate foods are prepared, and the food most typical of Diwali is a variety of sweetmeats beautifully decorated with nuts, spices and silver paper. The silver paper used
is edible. The lighting of fireworks is another essential feature of the Diwali festivities.

KALI PUJA

In Bengal, the people hold a festival in honour of Kali, the goddess of strength, desease and death.

During the festival of Kali, homes are strung with lights, and the streets are lined with shrines. The shrine is decorated with flowers and incence burners. In the centre is an image of Kali. She is shown with a fierce expression, wearing a necklace made of skulls, and with her arms uplifted. As evening falls, each shrine is lit and there is a colourful fireworks display. Finally a procession takes the images of Kali down to a river. The crowds sing, chant and ring bells as each of the images of Kali is set afloat on the water.

http://www.open-sez-mefes tivals.co.uk/diwali.htm

Answered by Arle Rambabu at 11:24 AM on October 23, 2008

Diwali is the one Hindu festival that unites the whole of India. It is traditionally known as the "festival of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home, in courtyards, gardens, verandahs, on the walls built around the home and also on the roof tops.
Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivities in the Indian culture. Uniting all members of the community, young and old, rich or poor, the lighting of the lamps represents a way of paying obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and valoured fame People give expressions to their happiness by lighting earthen diyas and decorating the houses to welcome Lakshmi- the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, bursting fire crackers and inviting the near and dear ones to their households for partaking in the luxurious feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and fame and it also signifies goodness. It is also marked as the beginning of the Hindu New Year and as a brand new beginning for all. Diwali is celebrated for five days, each day having it's own significance, rituals and myths
DIWALI is a five-day festival, which includes Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Deepawali, Govardhan and Bhaiya Dooj.
source:: http://holidays.vgreets.com/Diwali/ Rituals/

Answered by Tingtong S at 10:29 AM on October 23, 2008

well,Diwali, which is also known as the "Festival of Lights," is a five-day festival which celebrates the triumph of good over evil and hope for all mankind. Originating in India, Diwali, which is also known as Deepavali in the southernmost part of the country, is a time for fireworks, the lighting of lamps and strengthening the bonds of family and friends.
Find out the exact time of the five days of Diwali each year. Diwali is usually celebrated at the end of the Hindu month of Ashwauyuja, which is generally in October or November, exactly 20 days after Vijayadashami, another annual Indian festival. Use a Hindu calendar like the one at Hindunet.org in order to determine the dates to celebrate Diwali
Determine which version of Diwali you want to celebrate. Diwali is observed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in slightly different ways according to the specifics of their religious beliefs. In India, however, Diwali has been nationalized, and it is celebrated by many people in a purely secular manner.
Celebrate the first day of Diwali, known as Dhan teras, by shopping for all of the clothing, fireworks, lights and supplies for the festival.
Begin the second day, known as Naraka Chaturdasi, by waking before dawn and bathing. Then, put on the new clothes you purchased the day before and light lamps all over your home. Meet with friends and family, and let the children light firecrackers to ward off demons.
Note that the third day of the festival is the actual day of Diwali, the center of the celebration, which occurs at the advent of a new moon.
Observe the religious aspects of Diwali during the fourth day of the festival, also known as Annakut, which celebrates Krishna defeating Indra. Mountains of food are prepared on this day.
Conclude the Diwali celebration on the fifth day, called Bhayiduj, by spending time with your brothers and sisters.

Answered by Debashis at 10:19 AM on October 23, 2008

Though I understand that Diwali is celebrated differently in different parts of India, traditions can span all over India. It is generalized that people in South India usually take oil baths in the morning. Puja in South India is more associated with Laksmi, while in North India Puja is more associated with Ram (to have returned to Ayodhya) or with Goddess Kali. However, on Diwali day, families wake up at 4am all over India.

However, there is one tradition which is special to the state of West Bengal (Calcutta is in this state), they have special pujas for Kali. It is even said that in these pujas they use fish. Using of non-vegetarian food in pujas is taboo, but as fish is a very integral part of Bengalis diet and life, it is used in some special puja.

Answered by Anju Singh at 8:50 AM on October 23, 2008