The festival starts with Dhanteras, then Kali Chaudas followed by Diwali, then New Year and Bhai Beej.
Dhanteras: It is the day where all accumulated energy of Navratri is channelized and pooled. This energy is worshipped. This was also the day Lord Ram entered Ayodhya.
Kali Chaudas: This is the day “Kali” (the energy of destruction) comes and destroys the negative in you – the ego, negative thoughts, vikaar (defects). It is the day of sadhana (spiritual practices). If Kali is channelized in a good way, it leads to upliftment. When used in bad way, it leads to black magic.
This is the day when in Ayodhya, Queen Kaikeyi, Prince Bharat and the people of the kingdom were convinced that Ram should be made the king. All the negativity in everyone was destroyed.
Diwali: It is the festival of lights. When all negativity disappears, then the light enters your life to pave way for a new beginning. Diwali comes on Amavasya (New Moon). It is the end of all negativity. It is the day of Shiv. Shiv now channelizes your energy in the right direction.
Diwali is the day when Ram was crowned king. It is day of Lakshmi (Goddess of Richness) poojan (worship). It is worship of all richness in your life – richness of thoughts, richness of action, and richness of emotions.
New year: It is the day of new beginning. After you have channelized all positive energy, destroyed all negative energy and lightened your life with richness under the channel of shiv, you start a new beginning.
Bhai beej: This is the day of protection. After you start a new beginning, protection is required. Brother denotes protection. Thus, brother comes to your house to give protection.
Laabh pancham (લાભ પાંચમ): You worship the five elements, five senses, five gunas (positive traits) in you and mastery over that is celebrated as laabh pancham.
Dev Diwali and Kartik Poornima: It is the day when devas defeated asuras (demons) and again resumed their sovereignty over heaven. It is also the day when Lord Kartik killed the demon Tarkasura.
- These are topics of various aspects of spirituality as told by Para.