Info on Balipratipada, Gowardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj and Vishwakarma Puja. #IgnorantHindu has shared basic information on Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, SHRADH and PITRA SHRADH, AATM SHRADH, Adhik Mass, Navratri, Dussehra, Karva Chauth, Dhanteras and Diwali. H
DAY FOUR OF DIWALI FESTIVAL.
Annakut, Balipratipada, Padwa, Govardhan Puja
Diwali is on Amavasya- dark Moon night. The next day is the day when the Moon starts to grow. This day is celebrated across the nation and goes with multiple names. Annakut (Ann= Grain Kut- small heap), Padwa, Goverdhan puja, Balipratipada, Bali Padyami, Kartik Shukla Pratipada etc.
STORIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE 4th DAY OF DIWALI CELEBRATIONS.
BALI PRATIPADA.
Lord Vishnu sent the virtuous demon king Bali to Patal Lok, it is also the reason that in some part of south Diwali is not celebrated. We know the story of Lord Vishnu taking three mighty steps. These are referred as Balipratipada. In the first two steps, he covered Earth and the rest of the creation. Then King Bali offered his head for the third step. With the third step on his head. Lord Vishnu pushed king Bali to the negative area- the Paatal lok. Before doing so, Lord Vishnu asked Bali for his wish. King Bali asked that the three days, day-before-Diwali, Diwali and the third say should be counted as his regime. And thus these three days belong to Bali. These are also the most auspicious time in a year.
As Balipratipada, the three days in and around Diwali is demon king Bali time, negative energies are at the peak. So King Bali is worshipped, and offerings are made to him. This is done to satisfy his hunger and thirst and to keep the negative energies in check. The offering keeps Bali happy for a year in the Paatal lok, and so King Bali does not trouble people on the earth. The soul on earth is free to follow and practice spirituality. The day of Balipratipada is important to reduce the impact of negative energies.
GOVERDHAN PUJA.
Some parts of the country mainly in north, west and central India, 4th day is celebrated as Govardhan puja. This is to celebrate Lord Krishna saving the Nand Niwasi ( the cowherd of Nand village) and other farming communities from the wrath of Lord Indra. He created continuous rains in the region, leading to flooding. And then Lord Krishna raised Gowardhan Parvat ( Mountain) on his small finger to protect the people.
ANNKUT.
Annkut is an agriculture-based festival. People make multiple dishes, and after offering to God, these are them distributed.
GAMBLING.
Though people use Diwali as the escape for Gambling, in mythology it was Bali Pratipada day when Shiva and Family played together. Lord Shiva lost to Goddess Parvathi in the game of dice. Lord Kartikey won against Goddess Parvati, and then Lord Ganesha won against Kartikey. And it since then the family playing together a game of dice ( now card games) on this day is not frowned upon.
DAY FIVE OF DIWALI FESTIVAL.
Bhai Duj/ Bhau-Beej, Vishwakarma Puja
Bhai Duj- Brother’s day. Also known as Bhau Beej, Bhai Tilak or Bhai Phonta. In this, the brother does travelling to meet the sister.
THE STORY AND ASSOCIATION.
BHAI DUJ.
Somewhere, it is about River Yamuna ( the sister of Lord Yama) welcoming Yama. Somewhere else, it is Subhadra, the sister of Lord Krishna welcoming him after he has defeated the demon Narakasura. She welcomes him by applying the Tilak on the forehead. This story with Narak Chaturdashi seems to be more relevant.
Just like Raksha Bandhan, the women pray for their brother’s life, perform a Puja and feed their brothers. In return, the brother gives her a gift.
MORE ON BHAIDHUJ
In Maharashtra, the festival is known as ‘Bhaiya-Duj’, in Nepal ‘Bhai-Tika’ and in Punjab ‘Tikka’.
Bhaiduj in some parts of the country where it is celebrated as “Karthika Suddha Vidiya” has a ritual called HASTA BHOJANAM. It is the meal specially prepared by the married sister for her brother. Traditionally brothers do not dine at their married sisters place ie her in-laws-place, it is consider as a one sided favour and obligation. Many places even parents do not consider eating or even having water from the daughters in-laws place.
It is considered Okay to have meals at your sisters places on auspicious occasions. BhaiDuj is one such auspicious occasion. And many places Hasta Bhojanam is part of the ritual. Tradition demands that the brother visit the place of her married sister and have meal.
THE STORY BEHIND HASTA BHOJANAM of BHAIDUJ.
Yama and Yamuna are the children of the Lord Sun and Sandhya Devi. ‘Yamuna’ the younger sibling and Yama the elder brother are both very fond of each other. Yamuna gets married and goes to her in-law’s place. One particular day, she wants to see Yama. She sent a message inviting Yama for a feast. Yama promised Yamuna to come. Yamuna made all the favourite dishes for her brother and waited for him. Yama did not come for a long time. Yama then apologized for his absence due to workload and said he would visit surely on ‘Karthika Suddha Vidiya’. Yamuna becomes happy and again prepared all his favourite dishes on the day. True to his word, Yama went to his sister’s in-law’s house for the feast. Yamuna placed the sacred Tilak on her brother’s forehead, offered flowers and lovingly served all the dishes she herself prepared. Delighted by his Sister’s affection, Yama said she can ask him for any boon!’ Yamuna wished that ‘every year on Karthika Suddha Vidiya Yama should visit her house for a feast, and also wished that every Brother should visit his Sister and have a meal prepared by her, on this day. Yama granted the boon to Yamuna. That is why on this day, it is customary for a Brother to have the meal prepared by his sister, who is living at the in-law’s place. ( shared by SrikUmar – my friend)
VISHWAKARMA PUJA.
In many parts of North India and Punjab, it is the day when Vishwakarma puja is performed. The tools of the trade, especially in architecture, building, manufacturing, textile and crafts, are cleaned, and prayers offered to them. It is a way to check them and ensure their working- in turn, income and assurance of livelihood.
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