Dhan Teras
Kali Chaudash
Diwali
Govardhan Puja & Nutan Varsh
Bhai Bij
200

What day is Dhan Teras on the Hindu Calendar?

Teras or 13th

200

Why do we celebrate Kali Chaudash?

We want to free ourselves from maya.
200

What do we do on this day?

Celebrate, light divas, visit friends and family.

200

What day is Nutan Varsh on the Hindu Calendar?

The 1st day of the new year.

200

What day is Bhai Bij this year?

November 3

400

What is the main thing we do on Dhan Teras?

Lakshmi Pujan

400

What did Narakasur steal from the goddess Aditi?

Earrings

400

Why do we light divas on this day? Relates to the origin story.

To celebrate the return of Ram Bhagwan to Ayodhya.

400

How should we say Happy New Year?

Nutan Varsh Abhivandan

400

What do we do on Bhai Bij?

Brothers go to their sister’s house to enjoy a meal with her and to show their love. The sister wishes him health and long life.

600

What day is Dhan Teras this year?

October 29th

600

What is Kali Chaudash also known as?

Kali Chaudash is also known as Narak-chaturdashi (Narak-chatur-dashi) because Shri Krishna vanquished Narkasur.

600

What day is Diwali in the Hindu calendar?

Last day of the year and last day of the month of Aso.

600

What are the two things we do on this day?

Annakut and celebrate new year

600

What day in the Hindu calendar is this day?

The second day of the new year. Kartik Sud 2.

800

What 2 other things do we do on Dhan Teras?

Clean Houses

Decorate our houses

800

What did Narakasur ask Krishna when he was dying?

“Let those who bathe before sunrise on my death anniversary not go to Narak”.

800

What is the name of the Prathna sang on Diwali?

350 for name, 50 for each line you can sing

Aum Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya |

Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya |

Mrtyor-Ma Amrtam Gamaya |

Aum Shantih Shantih Shantih ||

800
Why do we do annakut?

To represent mountains of food. They represent the mountain Govardhan. It is a form of doing Govardhan puja.

800

What is the origin for Bhai Bij? Give as many details as possible.

Once upon a time, long ago, Yamunaji, the goddess form of river Yamuna, invited her brother Yama Raja and his servants to have a meal at her home. Sadly, Yama Raja had a lot of work and so even though he really wanted to go, he couldn’t. Finally on this day, Kartik Sud 2, he was able to visit her. She welcomed him warmly by doing his pujan with kumkum, chandan, wonderful perfumes and rich clothes. She then served him lots of tasty food in a golden dish. After the meal, Yama Raja was very happy and to show his love for his sister, he gave her expensive clothes and jewelry. He then requested her to ask him for a boon. She asked, “Every year on this day you should have a meal in my home. You should also release all those who are in Yampuri. And to those who have food at their sister's on this day, you should grant happiness.” Granting her wish, Yama Raja replied, 'Those who bathe in the Yamuna, please the ancestors, have food at their sisters' and perform their pujan will not arrive at my gates.'