Gujarat Spreads Red Carpet for You to Celebrate Diwali 2012

Festival celebrations in Gujarat are coloured with high spirits and demonstration of exuberance. During five days of Diwali, Gujarat registers high point of vigour, vitality and vividness as people revel into merrymaking activities that include shopping of apparels, sweets, electronics, fireworks and more. Branded as one of the most affluent states of India, Gujarat welcomes Diwali in its own style. Moreover, for decades, Gujaratis have a penchant for this festival and no other state in India celebrates Diwali with as much energy as Gujarat does. The celebrations last for five long days but preparations start before a month. Everyone joins this colossal festivity and flaunts oodles of energy during these five days. Agyaras: (Aso vad 11)

Agyaras sets the mood of the festival. For their love for food, Gujaratis have earned the title of Foodies; on this day, women of Gujarati households prepare snacks and sweets for their families and guests. There are some families who bring their choice of snacks & sweets from popular confectioners of the city. The impressive menu of Diwali Namkeen includes spicy stuff like Ganthiya, Phoolwadi, Cholafali, Mathiya, Chakri, Sev and more. For sweets, Gujaratis prefer Maisub, Halvasan, Ghari, Ghebar or Ghevar, Son Papdi, Magas, Mohanthal, Penda, Barfi, Ghooghra, Shakkarpara, Kopra paak, Gaajar Halwo, Kaju Katli and more.

Vagh Baras: (Aso vad 12) Next comes Vagh Baras, when Gujaratis worship cow and calf; since the days of Mahabharat, cow is considered as mother of all human beings and therefore, this kind animal deserves reverence & devotion. Moreover, on this day, business community of Gujarat repays all debts and clears their account ledgers.

Dhanteras: (Aso vad 13) One of the rich states of India worships the goddess of wealth in a unique style; normally this Puja takes place in the evening when all members of family are present. The ritual is performed during an auspicious time (Muhurat) to achieve desired results in life. Another noticeable trend on this day is shopping of gold jewellery; people from Gujarat believe that spending money on this day brings richness in the New Year.

Kali Chaudash: (Aso vad 14) Kali Chaudash is a day to worship goddess Maha Kali to acquire special powers to outdo evil forces. On this day, Tantriks (witch doctors or black magicians) perform special rituals in crematorium (Smashan) during the night. According to Hindu belief, rituals performed in crematorium ensure protection from ghosts and evil spirits.

Lakshmi Puja OR Diwali: (Aso vad 15) |Aaso Amas The most important day falls on the 15th day of dark side of Hindu calendar month and this is the last dark day of the year. On this day, Gujaratis are over the moon and celebrate Diwali with fireworks galore, eat sweets and greet their loved ones and neighbours with warm hearts. If their relatives are living away, they send diwali cards and sweets via online shopping portals. This day also marks as the day of Goddess Laxmi as people worship her. To remove darkness from their life, people light diyas & candles; rangoli is one of the major attractions of the day.

Bestu Varas (Hindu New Year) || Kartak sud Ekam Nutan Varsh Abhinandan – Happy New Year. It is time to welcome the New Year with lots of fun, happiness and energy. The first day of the first month (Kartik) of Gujarati calendar is celebrated in Gujarat by people with smiling faces and happy hearts. People get up early in the morning and dress new apparels, worship God and start their day with greeting each other Saal Mubarak. To welcome the New Year, people also fire crackers and eat sweets. Women of the households decorate homes with garlands made of Asopalav leaves and marigolds; at the front door, they draw rangoli with myriad colours.

Bhai Bij After New Year celebrations, now is the time to celebrate the holy bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes for dinner or lunch. In return, brothers offer some gifts to sisters. According to legend, Lord Krishna had killed the demon Narkasura on this day. Sisters pray for health, wealth and happiness of their brothers; the day strengthens the bond between a brother and a sister.Labh Pacham Until now, there was a mood of laziness and holiday; with Labh Pacham people begin their business. Though for kids, it is still vacation, for shop owners and working class, the day marks a new beginning. Businessmen start new ledgers by writing Shubh (auspicious) and Labh (profit); they also draw Swastik on the front page of the ledger.

Dev Diwali If people celebrate Diwali, how can deities stay out of this grand party? Occurs on the 15th (full moon) day of Kartik, this day is celebrated as return of Lord Vishnu to Heaven. Dev Diwali is also celebrated by Gujaratis with much joy and enthusiasm; fire works and sweets are essentials.

Festivals like Diwali keep Gujarat vibrant & energetic; though the state is recognized as commercially active land, people are equally enthusiastic about celebrating culture & art. Perhaps this is the reason why people from other states and countries come to Gujarat to live & do business. Welcome to Gujarat!