How to Celebrate Diwali: The Definitive Guide

With the shining lights and beautiful rangolis around, Diwali is definitely the time that all of India revels in a festive spirit. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated across faiths from Hinduism, Jainism to Sikhim; even if you are from a faith apart from the three, it is quite impossible that the revelry of Diwali would not touch you.

The festival of Diwali is definitely the time to soak in all the festive spirits.  Since, Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in India, it is quite apparent that the festival of lights should be celebrated in all its grandeur. The five day long festival that begins with Dhanteras and ends with Govardhan Puja has preparations that start a month before!

How to celebrate Diwali?

The festival isn’t only reveled by Indians in India. Celebrated by equal zest by Indian diaspora around the world, the five day festival is all about fun, frolic and having a good time with your loved ones.  If you want to celebrate the festival  with the grandeur it requires and don’t want to mix up any rituals or activities, then you have come to the right place. Here’s a definite guide to celebrate Diwali  -

1. Spring Cleaning – Diwali celebrations in fact begin almost a month before Diwali. Cleaning every nook and cranny of your house, getting rid of junk and things you don’t require is a much required tradition. You can even get that long pending renovation that you have been planning. It’s the time to buy new furniture and redecorate your house. It’s believed that Goddess Laxmi, who is Goddess of prosperity only visits house that are spic and span, thus cleaning your house before Diwali is a custom that’s been going for years.
2. Shop your heart away – One of the best parts about Diwali is numerous trips to the market. Buying new clothes, accessories and electronics for your home is totally justified. This is also the time to buy gifts for your loved ones. There are a plethora of gift options from jewelry, sweet boxes to even diwali lights. Diwali time also means a lot of shopping deals online and offline both; get that laptop you have been wanting.
3. Dhanteras Delight - On the 13^th of Purnima (full moon), the first day of the five day celebration of Diwali is Dhantera or Dhantrayodashi. It’s the dayb on which diyas and lamps are lit. On Dhanteras, it’s a custom to buy gold and silver; coins, jewelry, figurines. If you don’t want to splurge money on silver or gold, you can definitely buy utensils; that counts too,  Lord Kubera, the god of Kubera is worshiped on the occasion of Dhanteras.
4. Chhoti Diwali Celebration– The day of Chaturdashi or fondly referred to as Choti Diwali is a day full of rituals. It is believed that it should begin with Abhyang Snan. It is said that who performs Abhyang Snan or the holy bath on the day of Chaturdashi can be saved from narak or hell. Til Oil or sesame oil along with a special mask must be used . For the same reason, this day is also called Roop Chaturdashi. People decorate their houses with rangolis made out of colors and flowers. If you don’t celebrate chhoti Diwali, you’re definitely not celebrating  Diwali with the celebration it requires.                   
5. Rendevezous with Rangoli – One of the best parts of Diwali is admiring the Rangolis of not only your house but also your loved ones. Making Rangolis isn’t only decorative but therapeutic, in all the hullaballoo of Diwali, calm down and make Rangolis at the entrance of your home, the place of prayer and other parts of your house. You can make Rangolis out of Rangoli powder, Rice powder and even flowers. Rangoli and rangoli making both are crucial to revel in the festive spirit of diwali.
6. Dress up – Clothes actually do describe the mood we are in. To fully immerse in the festivities, don’t forget to shop for new clothes. Your best bet would be Indian wear. Nothing beats the grace of an Indian Saree and Kurta-Pyjama.
7. Sweet Savours- This one is a no-brainer. The Kaju Katlis, Phirnis, Gulab Jamuns and Rasgullas sweeten the celebration of Diwali even more. These delectable Indian sweets are perfectly suited for the occasion of Diwali. You can whipup these desserts at  your home We suggest you keep chocolates for other occasions.
8. Laxmi Puja – On the day of Diwali, Laxmi Puja is performed. Goddess Laxmi is the goddess of prosperity. However, Lord Ganesha is also prayed to at the Laxmi Puja. Lord Ganesha is the god of wisdom. Since the festival of Diwali is the festival of wealth and prosperity, it is advised that one shouldn’t only pray for wealth but also wisdom too so as to not mindlessly spend wealth.
9. Theme Parties – In the contemporary world, no festivity is complete without a theme party. Choose a theme of your choice, have a card party and don’t burst crackers. Spend the night playing cards, chit-chatting and savouring sweet treats. This is the best time to bond with your loved ones.
10. Govardhan Puja – It is celebrated a day after Diwali to mark the occasion of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Mountain to save the people of Gokul from the wrath King indra and Vikramaditya was crowned king. Thirty six dishes are prepared for Govardhan Puja to offer to Lord Krishna. This isn’t as grand as the first three days of Diwali.
11. The Sibling Bond of Bhai Dooj – The last day of the five day long festivities is wrapped by celebrating the sibling bond of brother-sister. Bhai Dooj has a small tilak ceremony. Sisters pray for the long life of their brother while the brothers shower them with gifts. Only some families celebrate Diwali.

So, here was a definitive 11 pointer guide to Diwali. Use it as a checklist to celebrate Diwali like the five day glorious festival it is by lighting SwahaProducts Diyas, making rangolis, savouring yummy food, dressing up and socializing with friends!