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Significance of holy bath during Diwali
Abhyang snan (holy bath) on the first day of Diwali is considered sacred. Why is it considered sacred and beneficial?
Diwali is the festival of lights and happiness. Do you remember sitting next to your mother while she made beautiful Rangolis? Did you feel queer while your mother applied scented oil on your body when you were a kid? You must have enjoyed bursting crackers with your buddies in the evenings. A glowing queue of lamps enlightens your house on the auspicious days of this vibrant Hindu festival.
Diwali is all about kandils (lampshades) emitting lights from every house, giving and receiving of sweets and wishes, and enjoying the early morning bath known as abhyang snan. What significance does Abhyang snan hold during Diwali? What is the right procedure to perform this holy bath? Know more about this holy bath and this Diwali feel fresh and wash away your anxieties with this aromatic bath.
Procedure of abhyang snan
Such are the qualities of an abhyanga snan that some experts have suggested taking abhyang snan everyday to receive its benefits. Abhyang snan helps to boost blood circulation, it removes dead cells from the surface of the skin, it makes skin smooth and soft to touch, it cleans body thoroughly, and finally aromas used while performing this ritual calms the mind. Here is the procedure of abhyang snan.
- Wake up before sunrise on this auspicious day
- Massage your entire body with a scented oil
- Let the oil get absorbed in the body for about half an hour.
- While bathing first apply uptan/utane/utnah (a paste of some spices and gram flour). Thoroughly massage your body with this natural scrub. Rinse with water.
- Have a regular bath with the use of scented soaps. Soap with rose or sandalwood aromas are mainly used while bathing on this day. You can make use of any scented soaps.
- Wear your new clothes. People who follow traditional procedure prefer to wear traditional clothes on this day like sari, lehengas, churidar kurta, and salwar kameez.
What is Utane or Uptan?
Utane is the king of natural scrub which is made with the use of all natural ingredients. All the ingredients in this natural scrub have ayurvedic properties. Utane is considered extremely beneficial for the skin. It leaves skin smooth and baby soft. The granules in the scrub help to get rid of dead skin. The natural scrub contains ingredients like chandan (sandalwood), kapoor (camphor), manjistha, rose petals extracts, orange skin and haldi (turmeric).
Why use scented oil?
Aromatic oils have calming effects on the mind. The pleasant aroma helps to rejuvenate mood by reducing the level of stress. Any scented oil can be used while taking abhyang snan on the first day of Diwali. You can make use of aroma oils. You can make use of almond oil as the base oil. Almond oil is enriched with vitamin E and is highly beneficial for flawless skin.
Significance of abhyang snan
Narakchaturdashi being the very first day of the five days celebration is one of the most important days of Diwali. It is believed that on this auspicious day lord Krishna killed the demon called Narakasur. This day signifies the victory of good over evil. Narakchaturdashi is also called chhoti Diwali (small Diwali). The death of the king of demons, Narakasur is celebrated by bursting crackers.
The early morning bath is of significance because the holy water symbolises the end of the evil powers. Since abhyang snan is taken before the sunrise it is considered as holy as taking bath in the river Ganges.
After having abhyang snan, women draw rangolis near verandas and place diyas (lamps). Lampshades signify the arrival of the festival. Children burst crackers. Families enjoy eating sweets and snacks together. Youngsters and adults go to temples to seek the blessings of the higher power. Diwali fills every heart with joy and excitement. The celebration leaves everyone feeling divine. Begin with the abhyanga snan and wash away all your problems. We wish you a very happy and safe Diwali.
How do you celebrate Diwali? Do you take abhyang snan on the first day of Diwali? What do you like most about this festival? To share your tips, views, and experiences, click here.
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