New Year Eve

New Year Eve falls on the 31st December. It is the final day of the Gregorian calendar and the day prior to the New Year’s Day. People celebrate this eve with gaiety and gusto. The reason to celebrate the eve of New Year is to bid farewell to the past year and give a warm welcome to the year ahead. Partying until the moment of the alteration of the year at midnight is the most well-liked way of celebrating New Year's Eve.

Customs of celebrating New Year’s Eve vary in various parts of the world. It is because of traditional variations. In maximum countries people cut cake as the clock strikes 12 midnight on New Year's Eve. Their express their joy with flow of the foam of champagne. With parties and social gatherings, people wait for the transition of the year at midnight. Manifestation of Father Time (the old year represented by an old bearded man with a sash across his chest having the previous year printed on it) is a common image of New Year's Eve celebration. This Father Time gives his responsibilities to the Baby New Year (epitome of New Year represented by a baby wearing a sash with the New Year printed on it).

As soon as the clock strikes at midnight on New Year's Eve, people start wishing Happy New Year to each other. Many places have the custom to kiss one’s beloved at this time. It is believed that kissing strengthens the bond of affections and ties will be maintained all through the year. Greetings are sent over phone or through SMS and New Year greeting cards to dear ones staying in distant cities.

In each and every part of the planet, New Year's Eve is the time for merrymaking and dig into the last minute fun. People throng throughout the night at discotheques, clubs, amusement parks and even the cinema halls. People dress in their best attire. Sometimes there is a theme for the New Year’s Eve party. Movie stars, professional dancers and singers cheer up people by their music, dance and performances. People go sky-high in these celebrations with music, dance, lavish dinner and by lighting bonfires and burning crackers.

Some people organize their private parties in order to avoid partying at over crowded places. On the eve of New Year everyone enjoys to the fullest. You can browse our website-Dgreetings to enhance the celebrations with our ecards. Eve prior to the New Year Day is a wonderful chance to forget all your tensions and indulge in merry making and welcome the New Year with hopes and dreams. It is also the time to prepare yourself for the challenges and opportunities and to gather happiness that the coming year has for you in its fold.

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Christmas Eve - Enjoy at Fullest

Christmas Eve is the evening of the day before Christmas. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. There is a celebratory air to this evening. Christmas Eve is not a national holiday. Still, schools and other educational establishments are usually closed. People decorate their homes with seasonal decorations. Just before bedtime, many families, mostly those with children hang up stockings on the fireplace or at the end of their bed. Christmas Eve is the time to celebrate, rejoice, honor the birth of Jesus and realize the depth of the Christmas message which is love, modesty, peace and hope.

The beginning of the holiday season at the end of the year is marked with Christmas Eve. Many Christians remember the events around the birth of Jesus on this eve. As a tradition, as soon as the Christmas Eve ends and Christmas arrives, a midnight mass at church is especially attended by the Roman Catholics. Now-a-days, there are several churches that hold a church service in the early part of the Christmas Eve. Special services on Christmas Eve are also held by numerous Protestant churches. No matter whether the church is Roman Catholic or Protestant, each and every church is beautifully decorated on Christmas Eve. These decorations include presentation of a crib scene depicting the holy family, with statues representing Mother Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, the shepherds and various animals that were present in the stable where Jesus was born.

Church services on Christmas Eve hold many programs that are related to Christmas. People go to each other’s home singing carols. During the church service, the priest delivers a meaningful sermon and Christmas carols are delightfully sung. Many people donate their time to charity. Traditionally, Christmas Eve meals in America are ham or fowl. Some families like to have light meal and serve soup and crackers. Mostly people have nice sausage and cheese for delicious snacks and appetizers. People visit their friends and relatives and exchange gifts and cards.

You can browse our website-Dgreetings for ideas regarding, celebrations, gifts and the like for Christmas season. This year, grab an opportunity to take comfort in Jesus and the special gift He has given to all mankind on the Christmas Eve.

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Hanukkah - The Jeweish Festival of Lights

Hanukkah is a holiday which is observed by the Jews. It is also Romanized as ‘Chanukah’. This festival is also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’. It is celebrated for eight days and nights. It commences on 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the Gregorian calendar. Main attractions of Hanukkah are lighting the Menorah, spinning the driedel and feasting and saying grace with your friends and family.

The Hebrew word ‘Hanaukkah’ means ‘dedication’. By this name, we are reminded about the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem. This festival honors the re-dedication of the holy Temple by the great Judas McCabe in 165 BC.

Origin of this festival is traced from the time when the king Antiochus expelled Jewish rituals and decreed all Jews to worship Greek Gods. The holy Temple of Menorah (candelabra) in Jerusalem was in devastating state under the Greeks. There was constant insurgence by Jews against the antagonism of Greek King and his atrocities.

When a Jewish Head Priest called Mattathias killed a General, revolt burst in Median village. Mattathias’ sons with villagers killed the General’s soldiers. Mattathias with his family and other Jews hid in mountains. Later, they conquered the Greeks and decided to sanctify the Temple which was defiled by worshipping foreign gods and sacrificing swine. When they moved to purify the Temple by burning ritual oil in the Temple’s menorah for eight days, they discovered that only one day's worth of oil was left there to fuel the flame. But the oil miraculously burned for eight days till fresh olive oil was sanctified. Thus, the festival commemorates the ‘miracle of the container of oil’.

Martyrdom of Hanna and her seven sons is also associated to Hanukkah. They were executed for not eating pork which would have violated the Jewish law.

Unique Hanukkah traditions are observed by every community but some traditions are practiced almost universally. These traditions are lighting the Menorah, spinning the dreidel and eating fried foods. These days Hanukkah has gained immense popularity because of being closed to the season of Christmas.

Menorah is a nine branched candelabrum, which is kindled every night of the occasion, progressing to eight on the final night. Shamash is an extra light which is also lit each night to light other candles.

Spinning the dreidel is a famous Hanukkah game. Dreidel is a four-sided top with Hebrew letters written on each side. Flavorful part of this game are ‘Gelt’, which are chocolate coins wrapped in tin foil. Jewish children get gifts for Hanukkah. Often they enjoy receiving one gift for each of the eight nights of the holiday.

It is an age old tradition to eat fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot during the Hanukkah holiday. Latkes are pancakes made with potatoes and onions. They are fried in oil and then served with delicious applesauce. Sufganiyot (its singular is sufganiyah) are jelly-filled donuts. The reason for eating fried foods during this holiday is that Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of oil.

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Thanksgiving Invitations

Thanksgiving Day is an annual American holiday that commemorates prosperity with which we are blessed by the grace of God. Families across the country gather on the Thursday of cold November to enjoy with each other, rejoice in the beauty of the season and relish a sumptuous feast. This cheerful time is here again and you must be busy preparing for the merriment and parties. Send warm invitation to your guests on this Thanksgiving with Thanksgiving invitations and personalized cards.

Make preparations in advance whether it is Thanksgiving Eve or Thanksgiving Day. Thoroughly plan and prepare the celebrations of your Thanksgiving party and with invitations for Thanksgiving, properly organize your event of Thanksgiving. These invitations for Thanksgiving will lend you a helping hand in setting the correct mood for carousing and festivity.

It is necessary to consider certain things before you plan about your Thanksgiving invitations. First of all, think about the type of party that you will organize. Different types of parties need different types of party invitations. Invitations also depend on the fact whether your party will be a theme based one or not. Another significant side is the finances that will echo the type of Thanksgiving invitation you have selected.

Various kinds of Thanksgiving invitations include a bubbly Thanksgiving party card, gold and silver invitation card, toasting invitations or vibrant star in translucent orange as background or gold ribbon on black background. On the invitation cards as a background, there can also be martini toast, football, bowling feet, party hearty invitation, masquerade madness and the like. You can also go for theme-based cards if you are organizing a theme-based party.

Marvelous ideas for Thanksgiving invitations along with the planning for this occasion are offered to you by Dgreetings.com. To know more about Thanksgiving party invitations, party and joyous celebrations for Thanksgiving, browse through our website. Your family loves to celebrate and you can enhance your celebrations by inviting your near and dear ones for a Thanksgiving feast with our appealing ecards.

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Thanksgiving Gifts - Make Their Thanksgiving Special

Thanksgiving Day is the occasion of expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty for His abundance of blessings. We can make the most of this occasion by conveying our love and care for everyone who is dear to us. Try to remember all those who supported you in tough times of your life, lend you a hand when you needed or did something good for you. On This Thanksgiving Day, thank all these people and express your gratefulness towards them. Here are some nice gift ideas you can use to gift the people you love and are thankful. So, choose a beautiful gift for Thanksgiving and share the blissful joy of the Lord with all your near and dear ones.

Thanksgiving Gift Baskets
Eatables like cookies, fruits, snacks etc. are associated with prosperity and happiness. So, gift baskets with goodies make a great gift for Thanksgiving. Adding chocolates to this basket will be more delightful for the receiver.

Thanksgiving Chocolates
Gifting chocolates of various shapes, sizes and flavors are most liked. Gift them with fresh flowers, you will find that, the receiver is more than happy to have this gift.

Thanksgiving Decorative
Select an appropriate gift from the wide range of decorative items. Candle holders, vase, show pieces, paintings, table lamps, photo frames etc. are excellent options to be given to your loved one.

Thanksgiving Perfumes
Gifting a perfume which is a favorite of the receiver is a wonderful way to convey your appreciation for someone.

Thanksgiving Jewelry
Religious jewelry like rosary and bracelet make an interesting gift. Precious metal, stone accessories or gold jewelry are also famous gifts during Thanksgiving celebrations. You can also go for designer fashion jewelry which is reasonable and much liked these days.

Thanksgiving Flowers
Flowers are a perfect gift to convey your gratitude to your loved ones. Fresh flowers bring a million dollar smile on the receiver’s face whereas dry flowers adorn the home.

Thanksgiving Teddy Bear
An adorable, cute and cozy Thanksgiving gift for sweethearts and children are teddy bears and other soft toys.

Thanksgiving Household Gifts
Household items like mats, cutlery, crockery and coasters are very useful gifts. They are not only a thoughtful Thanksgiving gift but also add to the beauty of interiors.

Thanksgiving Cakes
Exotic Thanksgiving gift for your dear ones is of delectable cakes. Gift the receiver’s
favorite cake to enhance the impact of your gift.

Remember that the size of the gift does not matter. It is the feeling behind the gift that really counts. A flower, a thank you card or a small gift; all will express your love and admiration to the person you appreciate. Select any gift for this Thanksgiving Day and gift it to your friends and family. You will surely increase their happiness.

Christmas Advent

Christmas advent is observed in several Western Christian churches. The word advent is derived from the Latin adventus, which means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’, Christians wait for coming of Jesus Christ. It begins on Advent Sunday and is the commencement of the Western liturgical year. The equivalent of Advent in Eastern churches is known as N ativity Fast. But Nativity Fast is different in observances and length. May be the Advent calendar marks the progression of the season. This practice was introduced by German Lutherans. In the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran calendars, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before 25th December, the Sunday between 27th November and 3rd December inclusive. Advent includes Christmas and Epiphany and continues till Lent season begins.

Advent is not only about waiting for the Christ but also preparing for return of Jesus on the Judgment Day. In fact, the Advent season focuses on threefold coming of Christ- past, present and future. First, the Lord's modest first coming in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Second, His present and persistent coming to us through Word and Sacrament and finally, looking forward hopefully to His second coming in glory to judge the living and the dead on the Last Day.
The four Sundays of Advent are arranged to ponder on different aspects of Christ's coming. The first Sunday deals with Christ's victorious arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the second Sunday introduces the prophetic message of John the Baptist. The third Sunday emphasizes on the content of John's preaching. The final Sunday of Advent is the bridge to Christmas with its concentration to the miracle of Christ's conception in the womb of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The customary color for the season of Advent is purple. This color was used by kings to signify their royal status. Purple also indicates the repentance of God's people as they await the arrival of their Lord. Recently, some churches have adopted blue as the Advent color. It represents hope, belief and heaven. In art and iconography, blue is also associated to Virgin Mary.
Famous symbol used during Advent season is the Advent Wreath. It consists of a circle of evergreen branches set around four candles. The evergreen circle represents the everlasting life that Christ has won for all believers. The burning candles signify the coming of Christ as the light of the world. Advent candles can vary in colors. Customarily, three purple candles and one rose-colored or pink candle are used. Starting from the first Advent Sunday, each candle is lit on each succeeding Sunday.

During Advent season, the church contemplates the wonder of God’s mercy and love in Jesus Christ. Christians prepare themselves for the coming of the Lord by exercising the Advent disciplines. The seven short evening prayers that are by tradition chanted are Great O Antiphons. They are chanted during Advent worship from the 17th to the 23rd of December. They are a part of the regular devotions of many churches nowadays.

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Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is primarily celebrated in the United States. Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. On this day, holiday is observed and people express their gratefulness, appreciation and thankfulness to the Almighty, family and friends. They show their gratitude for being blessed with relationships and materialistic possessions. According to the tradition, Thanksgiving Day is the time to be thankful for a bountiful harvest. This day is no more stuck to its roots of religion now.

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on different dates in different nations. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day falls on every fourth Thursday of November whereas in Canada it is celebrated on the second Monday in October. The Netherlands also celebrates Thanksgiving. A different holiday with the same name is celebrated at a parallel time of year in the island of Grenada.

The exact historical origin of the Thanksgiving Day is shrouded in mystery. Even though Americans usually believe that the first Thanksgiving happened in the year1621 at Plymouth Plantation, in Massachusetts. Strong evidence for earlier merriment in the year 1578 in Canada is found, evidence of celebrations by Spanish explorers in the year 1565 in Florida is also found. As impact of the western culture, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in India also, though in very few parts of the country. However, the major celebrations are observed by Christians in the state of Goa.

Enjoying banquets with family is an essential and most enjoyable part of Thanksgiving Day celebrations. The rich legacy of Thanksgiving has been alive for hundreds of years and is continuing to live. Customs of Thanksgiving comprise of tales of those who believe that everyone must possess the virtue of gratitude. Thanksgiving customs are custom of praying, custom of family dinner, custom of decoration and custom of greeting the near and dear ones.

On this day churches organize communal prayers. Prayers are done in homes as well. This practice is going on for several centuries. Prayers are offered at several times while having meals throughout the day. On this the day the whole mankind expresses heart-felt gratitude to God for His abundant blessings. On this day, gratefulness to friends and family is also expressed for their good deeds. People dine with their family and friends. Those who live far away, manage to be with their relatives for this day. Feasts are generally held and enjoyed at home only. People enjoy eating 'Roasted Turkey' with each other. Homes are tastefully decorated with fresh and dried flowers and wreaths. Lamps are lit and tables are set with antique silver and China cutlery sets. People sent affectionate messages to their loved ones.

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated with a lot of festive fervor and euphoria. The universal feeling of being thankful to Lord Almighty for his incessant grace and blessings is conveyed by this occasion.

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Eid- Ul- Adha

One of the major festivals of Muslims is Eid- Ul- Adha. Eid- Ul- Adha is also known by the name of Bakr- Eid. It is the festival of sacrifice. Muslims sacrifice their domestic animals like goat, sheep, cows and camels on this festival. The sacrifice Muslims make on this day symbolizes the sacrifice made by Prophet Abraham. The celebrations of this festival begin after the Hajj. On the tenth day of Duhl-Hijja, the very first day of Eid-Ul-Adha is celebrated. Duhl-Hijja is the last month of the Islamic year. In some areas, Muslims rejoice in the celebrations of Eid-Ul-Adha for many days. This year, Eid- Ul- Adha will be celebrated on 16th November.

Throughout the planet, Eid-Ul-Adha is known by several names such as ‘Sacrifice Feast’ or ‘Kurban Bayrami’. It is known as ‘Hari Raya Haji’ in Singapore and Malaysia. It is known by the name of Tabaski in West Africa. The name ‘Hari Raya Aidiladha’ is famous in South East Asia. In India it is known as Eid- al-Adha or Idu’z Zuha. Eid-ul-Azha or Id al-Adha names are famous in Bangladesh. Though this festival differs in name but the spirit to celebrate it is the same throughout the globe.

Eid-Ul-Adha occurs around seventy days after the end of Ramadan month. This festival is celebrated in the memory of Prophet Abraham to be ready to sacrifice his son to obey God. God instructed Abraham to lift up the foundation of Kaaba which was a sacred place in Mecca. In a dream, God also asked Abraham to forfeit his son. Abraham took his son to sacrifice him and obey God. When Abraham reached the place where he was instructed to sacrifice his son, God has already kept a sheep there to be sacrificed instead of his son. Thereby this festival is said to be a festival of sacrifice. Some people commemorate Eid- ul- Adha because it ends the Hajj for those Muslims who make a trip to Mecca every year.

On Eid- ul- Adha people recite prayers early morning followed by Khutba and then the breakfast of Sheer Korma gives a delicious start to the day. The animal is sacrificed after the breakfast. There are certain age and quality standards for sacrificial animal or else the animal is considered an unacceptable sacrifice. Meat of the slaughtered animal is distributed among friends, family and poor people. It is an assumption that Eid- ul- Adha lasts for three days but according to some Islamic traditions Eid- ul- Adha lasts for four days and it is Eid- ul- Fitr that lasts for three days. People visit their near and dear ones in the evening. Those who visit Muslim places on this day are served lip smacking food and drinks.

On this festive occasion, markets are decorated nicely and the cheerful Muslims do shopping to their heart’s content. Children are very excited to wear new clothes. They enjoy receiving gifts, perks, sweets and new clothes. People also greet their loved ones with Eid- ul- Adha cards or ecards.







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Children’s Day

Children’s Day is celebrated on 14th November every year in India. This date marks the birth anniversary of the celebrated freedom fighter and independent India’s first Prime Minister-Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Children’s Day is celebrated on his birthday in order to give a tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru and his love for children. Children lovingly used to address him as ‘Chacha Nehru’. This day sends a reminder to each and every one of us to once again renew our commitment to the well-being of children and teach them to live by dream and quality of their Chacha Nehru.

Universally, Children’s Day is celebrated on 20th November but in India, it is celebrated on 14th November as an accolade of Jawaharlal Nehru’s love for children. It is the day when childhood is celebrated. On this day, a lot of activities for children are organized. There are many cultural programs in several schools that are meant just for students. Throughout the country, many social, cultural and even corporate institutions and organizations conduct various competitions for children. Children's Day brings cheerful times for children to be engaged in fun and frolic. In schools teachers perform songs, dances and other programs for their students. Children's Day is a day set aside to remember Pandit Nehru and his love for children.

This day is marked with plenty of activities for children. But the fact is that only a fragment of children of this country have a chance to celebrate their survival. Students thoroughly enjoy events and activities organized at their schools but there is a huge population of our young citizens that are left unnoticed on this special day. They are the downtrodden street children.
It will be a thoughtful and touching act if we try to bring a difference into the lives of children who are underprivileged. Instead of celebrating it with great jollity in schools, clubs and hotels; celebrations for the downtrodden children will be far more appreciative. We can do this by our effort of changing their lives so that they can also enjoy the carefree lives of childhood.

On Children’s day, we celebrate childhood, so it becomes the duty of mankind to bring a happy change to the lives of such children who don’t even know what is meant by enjoying a childhood. When the fortunate ones take pleasure in their blissful fortune and treasure all that they are endowed with; a huge populace of children is still struggling for food, shelter and clothing.

Children’s Day also gives time to all the adults to give a new lesson to their children or students while celebrating their day. A party can be organized for underprivileged children. By doing this, people will be gifting innumerable smiles and immeasurable happiness to the nation.

We can certainly make a big difference in a child’s life by doing something special for him/her. In fact, in this way we will be fulfilling the dreams of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and giving a real tribute to him.

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Veterans Day - Honor The Veterans

Veterans Day is a day that honors the military veterans every year in Unites States. On this day both a state holiday and a federal holiday in all states is observed. Usually it is celebrated on the 11th of November. This day is memorialized as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of this planet. Veterans Day is celebrated on 11th November because it marks the anniversary of signing of Armistice that put an end to the First World War. The chief hostilities of World War I properly met an end in the year 1918 in 11th month of the year, on 11th day and at the 11th hour. The hostilities were finished with German signing of the Armistice. In advertisements and calendars the holiday is commonly printed as Veterans' Day or Veteran's Day.

An Armistice Day was declared for 12th November, 1919 by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. After some years, 11th November was declared an authorized holiday which was to be observed every year. This day was a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’.

In 1953, an Emporia, Kansas, shoe store holder named Al King carried a plan to increase Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not currently those who provided in World War I. King had been devotedly involved with an American War Dads throughout the Second World War. Then he started a campaign so that the Armistice Day can be turned into ‘All’ Veterans Day.

The Emporia Chamber of Commerce took hold of the cause after deciding that 90% of the Emporia merchants with the Board of Education supported finishing their doors on 11th November in the year 1953, to pay homage to veterans. With the help of then-U.S. Rep. Ed Rees, from Emporia, a bill for holiday was pushed through Congress. The President Dwight Eisenhower marked it into law on 26th May, 1954.

This act was modified by the Congress on 8th November, 1954, replacing ‘Armistice’ with Veterans. It has been known as Veterans Day from that time. Veterans Day was shifted to fourth Monday of October, Even though originally planned to be commemorated on 11th November of each year, opening in 1971 compliant with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Since the time this change was made, there has been a tendency against being closed on the holiday. It started with businesses (banks are excluded from this holiday) and in current years some schools and local governments are also chosen to remain open.

Celebrations of Veterans Day include Veterans Day flag hoisting, pledge and singing of the National Anthem. Musical programs by school or community musical organizations are conducted. In schools there are essay writing or reading competitions about a great military soldier or an American President. School magazines publish Veterans Day stories. Other organizations and institutions also conduct various programs to give a tribute to all the veterans. Veterans Day pays a heartfelt tribute to the military veterans.

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What's Special on Diwali...

Decorations of Diwali

Diwali gives a wonderful chance to people to decorate their homes tastefully. As passion of Diwali is not restricted only to India, people adorn their homes worldwide on this festival. Decorating homes with especially Diwali decorative items fills the home with celebratory spirit and glee. People ornament their homes with traditional Diwali decorative items like clay lamps, torans or door hangings, decorative lanterns or lamps, sculptures and idols of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha, rangoli and the like. This ethnic decoration infuses the spirit of fiesta enthusiasm among people.


Rituals of Diwali

Celebrations of Diwali are incomplete without rituals of Diwali. Most importantly they include worshipping of Laxmi-Ganesha before bursting firecrackers and enjoying sweets. The very first step of the commencement of celebrations on a Diwali night is worship of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha. Other than this, Diwali is a five day festival and celebrations continue for five consecutive days.

Diwali celebrations cast a magical charm which throws away dirt and darkness not only from our homes but from also our hearts. Throughout the year, we are excited for celebrating Diwali. On this day, we forget bitter experiences and feelings and put in our best efforts to enjoy Deepawali celebrations in complete harmony with each other which is the best way to enjoy this festival.

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Five Days of Diwali

Diwali is the festival of lights. Indians celebrate throughout the planet with great zeal and passion. Diwali not only brings a lot of enthusiasm but also five days to celebrate the festive fervor. Firecrackers, sweets, lights and lots of shopping are the features of Diwali that are most awaited and enjoyed. Five days of Diwali are filled with cheerfulness and each day holds a different importance and legend behind it. A list of five day events is given here along with their legends.

Dhanteras-The First Day

Diwali commences with Dhanvantari Trayodashi. According to Hindu calendar, it is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. Dhanteras is the famous name of Dhanvantari Trayodashi. Legends say that Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean on this day. He was having Ayurvedic ways of treatment for the benefit of mankind. On this day people worship Lord Yamaraj and light a 'Yama-Diya' at night in order to offer prayers to Him. People purchase new utensils on this day. This is also a tradition which is related with Dhanvantari Trayodashi.

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Chhoti Diwali-The Second Day

Narak Chaturdashi falls on the second day of Diwali. According to the legends, on this day Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur to free mankind from his fear. Massaging body with oil and bath on this day is a tradition. It is said that those who do not bath on this day go to hell.

Badi Diwali or Lakshmi Puja-The Third Day

The third day of Diwali is the most important day of the Diwali celebrations. The divine Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this day and people offer prayers to her to receive her blessings for affluence and prosperity. For this day, people make their homes spick and span and adorn their homes with several clay lamps and colorful lights and play with firecrackers.

Gowardhan Puja or Padwa-The Fourth Day

The fourth day of Diwali is dedicated to Govardhan Pooja or worshipping of Govardhan Parvat. Legends say that once Lord Shri Krishna performed the Govardhan Pooja with the citizens of Vraja for their safety from heavy rains. Since that time, it turned into a Hindu tradition to worship Govardhan Parvat in order to respect that first Pooja done on this day.

Bhaidooj or Bhaiya Dooj or Bhratri Dooj-The Fifth Day

Bhaidooj is the fifth day of Diwali. On this day the bond of brother and sister is strengthened and their relation is honored. Legends hold that on this day Lord Yamaraj visited his sister Yamuna and gave a boon that if brothers visit their sisters on this day, they will be freed from all their sins. The tradition of visiting sisters by their brothers is followed since that day. Sisters put tika on foreheads of their brothers and sweeten their mouths with sweets. This day marks the end of the five day long celebrations of Diwali.

Five days of Diwali hold immense pleasure and delight. They give us chance to have celebrations one after another.

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