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Diwali - the festival of Lights
Diwali and New Year has
a special meaning for followers of Pushti Marga, this
article aims to explore this ancient relationship. It will
also describe some of the festivities and rituals taking
place at Nathadwara during the festival period. As Rag,
Bhog and Shringar are so important to the Pushti sect, the
article will also describe some of the fascinating
shringars and "bechavats" - settings - of this grand
festival. Though the festival lasts for many days, this
article lists pageantry of five main days, Vagh Basras,
Dhan Teras, Kali Chudash, Divali and Annakut - New Year.
Annakut is one of Pushti Marga's main festivals. It
celebrates Krshna's worship of the Mount Govardhan during
his Vraj Lila. Breaking with tradition, he recommended
puja of Govardhan instead of Indra. Krshna argued that no
one had seen Indra and benefits of his worship were rather
dubious. Worshipping Govardhan-Nathji had positive and
visible benefits. It was Govardhan-Nathji who protected
them, gave them rain, grass, shelter etc. therefore it
made sense to worship Him rather than some remote God on a
golden throne in a transient heaven !
This represented one of the most significant moments in
Krshna's Lilas. Besides overturning centuries of blind
tradition, it showed Krshna's response to changing times.
Kansa's cruel regime had left Vraj in poorer condition
than in the past. Excessive taxes on all agricultural
produces had meant the ordinary people and children of
Vraj had to do without the basic, essential items in their
diets. Except the very rich, most could not afford to give
their children milk and butter or even good quality rice.
Seeing this, Krshna decided it was unnecessary to pour
huge quantities of butter, rice, cereals, and various
other edibles in to the fire for the benefit of a God who
never even bothered to show himself to the people of Vraj.
Where was Indra when the people of Gokul were being
bullied by the thugs of Kansa?
Krshna decided to celebrate a new festival where all the
people of Vraj could benefit from their hard toil. All the
food being gathered for Indra's yagna could be made in to
delicious prasad (consecrated food) and after having
offered it to Lord Govardhan it would be distributed to
every one in Vraj, regardless of caste or creed. Krshna
felt the entire community should be involved in the
festivities and not just a privileged few.
As a result of such defiance of Heaven, Indra decided to
drown the residents of Vraj in a tremendous flood. But,
those protected by Krshna can not be destroyed so easily,
the Lord decided to lift Mount Govardhan to shield the
populace of Vraj from the wrath of Indra. Under the
benevolent gaze of Krshna and Lord Govardhan, seven
ceaseless days of torrential rain failed to make any
impression on the people of Vraja. Realising his mistake,
Indra came to apologise for his baseless pride. Indra than
worshipped Krshna as Govinda - Universal King of cattle.
Divali also celebrates the gracious nature of the three
goddesses, Lakshmi, Kali and Sarasvati. Dhan Teras is
dedicated to Lakshmi, whose blessings are essential in
making our lives prosperous, fruitful as well as peaceful.
Goddess Lakshmi embodies the wealth of nature, health,
intelligence, friends, family, long life, fame, fortune
etc. The wealth of heaven is multifaceted and we all enjoy
the blesing of mother Lakshmi in some measure. Kali-Chudash
is dedicated to Maha Kali whose strength we seek to
maintain the wealth we have. Strength, physical, mental
and spiritual, is essential for an individual as well as
the nation in order to flourish. Strength is essential for
survival of any civilization. Used positively, it is
benevolent; however, if misused, the same energy can be
malevolent. Divali is dedicated to goddess Sarasvati.
Knowledge is the ultimate wealth, for it can not be stolen
from you, it is also the ultimate strength, for it often
defeats brute force. Knowledge is the ultimate in
spirituality, for it is "Jayna" that eventually leads to
Enlightenment and Moksha.
Celebrating the various manifestations of the divine
energy, Shrinathji enjoys the festivities in numerous ways
at Nathadwara. His entire haveli is repainted for the New
Year. Most of the walls are gleaming white with fresh coat
of lime. Traditional paintings of Lord Ganesh and Surya,
along with others, grace the lintels of the main gates.
Door lintels and side panels are painted with auspicious
signs, flowering creepers, lotuses, bowels of fruit,
lamps, cows, maidens bearing artis, milk, butter and
various gifts for the lord. Door wardens in rajput clothes
are painted along with well caparisoned/ adorned elephants
and horses led by handsome grooms. Tigers stand guard at
Navnit Priyaji's haveli as gods descend in heavenly
vehicles to catch a glimpse of the Nanda Kishor.
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