Diwali Recipes

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Diwali or Deepawali is a festival of lights celebrated throughout India. This is a very grand festival for Hindus. Not only in India, but also in Nepal, Srilanka and Singapore, Hindus celebrate this festival for the prosperity of one another. Deepawali starts with Naraka Chathurdasi on Aswija Maasa Krishna Paksha 14th day of Hindu calander(Panchanga). There are some variations to the story of celebration for this day. Some people celebrate it in accordance with the return of Lord Sri Rama from 14 years of exile and winning battle over Ravana. Where as in South India, people celebrate this Chathurdasi in rememberance of Narakasura vade(Killing of demon king Narakasura) by goddess Kali, Satyabhama and Lord Krishna. People on this day take oil head bath and offer their prayers to Matha Kali, Lord Shiva and Ganesh for health and prosperity. Next day is Amawasya which is a no moon day. People all over India light oil lamps or diyas in shops, offices and houses.This day business people do special pooja to Dhanalakshmi devi during Ghodholiyagna  (some time in the evening between 6pm and 6.45pm) for wealth. Last day being the Bali Padyami beginning of Karthika Masa is the day on which king Bali is granted by Lord Vishnu to visit earth.

Whatever the stories carry, all these three days are very auspicious to Hindus. Every house has lighted oil lamps or diyas. People make different variety of sweets and distribute among one another. Everyone wears new clothes and there is happiness everywhere. During Diwali some people also burn crackers. Now days burning crackers any time has resulted in noise and air pollution. Awareness has been created among children about the environmental problems and health hazards caused by burning crackers. Business booms during Diwali for sweet shop owners and also cloth merchants. This joyful festival Diwali brings everyone together and spreads happiness everywhere. In our house too we celebrate this festival very grandly.

We kannadigas call this festival as Deepawali meaning deepagala hawali, everywhere lights. A famous film song “Deepawali…Deepawali…Govinda leelavali…” makes the humming tone of many youngsters during this festival. Everyone takes oil bath, wear new clothes and pray to God. I remember one more song “Yanneyanu othire yadhukula tilukage…Bannisi Gopi harasidalu” sung by mothers to children while appling oil before bath. This goes with the story that when Narakasura a cruel demon is killed, his blood is sprayed on Krishna; which to be bathed he was applied oil. So everyone follows the custom of oil bath on Narakachathurdasi. We prepare variety of sweet dishes at home. There is a habit of inviting friends and relatives for lunch on these days. Mutually we too are invited. We make variety of dishes and share among one another. In the approach of the evening, we light colourful lights and oil diyas. For us ladies, wearing silk saris, adoring ourselves with ornaments and greeting one another is a big gala.

Me Hema Raghavendra and my family wish you all a very HAPPY AND SAFE DEEPAWALI. Enjoy making different sweets and other dishes from my website. Feel free to leave your comments there.

Diwali Sweet Recipes

 

Diwali Snacks Recipes

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