DEEPAVALI

DEEPAVALI:

While Diwali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning behind it is "the awareness of the inner light". The celebration of Diwali as the "victory of good over evil", refers to the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance.

The story behind Diwali and the manner of celebration varies from region to region.

Diwali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers give thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come. Traditionally this marked the closing of accounts for businesses dependent on the agrarian cycle, and is the last major celebration before winter. Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.

Diwali festival rooted in deep human values, strong mythical beliefs and legends, Diwali signifies the true essence of life where good overcomes evil. Celebrated with much gaiety, grandeur and festivity, the festival of Diwali transcends caste, creed and community to become all-inclusive and encompassing. In man's eternal quest for both spiritual enlightenment and worldly prosperity, Diwali marks the most auspicious day when family bonds and human relations become stronger while business ventures gain a promising head start.

Diwali - the 'festival of lights' is as outwardly celebratory as inwardly uplifting. Diwali is celebrated on the 'new moon day' in the month of Kartik which falls in October/ November. As per the Hindu calendar, the day is also termed 'Krishna Chaturdashi'. The boisterous fervor of Diwali is manifested in busy markets much ahead of celebration, illuminated public places and homes lit with earthen 'diyas' , candles and decorative lighting and people decked up in bright, new clothes. Men and women partake of the rituals which involves doing 'pujas' and offering 'prasad' to Gods and Goddesses.

Perhaps as old as the tradition of celebrating Diwali is, equally age-old is the ritual of offering sweets and gifts to families and friends. The most common scene synonymous with Diwali is that of children and adults burning firecrackers and sparkles. A noticeable trend around Diwali celebrations is a Diwali party, where friends and family gather to celebrate this day.

As visually mesmerizing is the light that streams out of candles and fireworks, it is ultimately the divine light that we seek on Diwali day to purify our hearts and soul. It is this light that penetrates all darkness and the mundane routine of our lives. As such, the most common ritual is cleaning of homes, offices and work space to connect with this light and get blessings from God.

Symbolizing renewing energy, homecoming and prosperity in different parts of the country, Diwali is believed to coincide with several different events of historical significance. In north India, Diwali marks the day of the return of Lord Rama after defeating Ravana, a symbol of evil and is celebrated with full devotion. Every year, effigies of Ravana are burnt in a public event and the ceremony is attended by thousands of people.

Diwali is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi as she emerged from the sea - according to the mythical tale of the 'samudra manthan',(Palazhi Madhanam) meaning 'churning of the ocean'. In Gujarat, Goddess Maha Lakshmi's name is invoked and her blessings sought for prosperity, piety and faith. In another mythical tale, Diwali has associations with Lord Krishna's triumph over the demon Narakasura, who had kidnapped the 'gopis' of Vrindavan. In Bengal, Goddess Kali is worshipped on this day with full-night pujas/chants. From an agrarian point-of-view, Diwali also heralds the onset of the sowing season.

In the calendar of religious festivals in India, Diwali stands as one of the most prominent festivals. Above all, its main significance reverberates with our aspirations to be pure and loving in our interactions with others and to rise above selfish interests.

Diwali is a five day festival in many regions of India, with Diwali night centering on the new moon - the darkest night - at the end of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin and the start of the month of Kartika. 

Like major festivals of the world, rituals and preparations for the Indian festival Diwali begin days or weeks in advance. The festival formally begins two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days after. Each day has the following rituals and significance:

Dhanteras

Dhanteras kicks off the five day festival. Starting days before and through Dhanteras, houses and business premises are cleaned, renovated and decorated. Women and children decorate entrances with Rangoli - creative colourful floor designs both inside and in the walkways of their homes or offices. Boys and men get busy with external lighting arrangements and completing all renovation work in progress. For some, the day celebrates the churning of cosmic ocean of milk between the forces of good and forces of evil; this day marks the birthday of Lakshmi - the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari - the Goddess of Health and Healing. On the night of Dhanteras, diyas (lamps) are ritually kept burning all through the nights in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.

Dhanteras is also a major shopping day, particularly for gold or silver articles. Merchants, traders and retailers stock up, put articles on sale, and prepare for this day. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening. Some people decorate their shops, work place or items symbolizing their source of sustenance and prosperity.

Naraka Chaturdasi

Narak Chaturdasi is the second day of festivities, and is also called Choti Diwali. Typically, house decoration and colourful floor patterns called rangoli are made on or before Narak Chaturdasi. Special bathing rituals such a fragrant oil bath are held in some regions, followed by minor pujas. Women decorate their hands with henna designs. Families are also busy preparing homemade sweets for main Diwali.

Rangoli or Kolam decorations for Diwali, are prepared from coloured flour (shown), or with flower petals. They are floor decorations near entrances and corridors to welcome goddess Lakshmi and guests.

The third day is the main festive day. People wear new clothes or their best outfits as the evening approaches. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more additional deities depending on the region of India; typically Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera. Lakshmi symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.

Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth on Diwali night. On the evening of Diwali, people open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place diya lights on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her in. On this day, the mothers who work hard all year, are recognized by the family and she is seen to embody a part of Lakshmi, the good fortune and prosperity of the household. Small earthenware lamps filled with oil are lighted and placed in rows by some Hindus along the parapets of temples and houses. Some set diyas adrift on rivers and streams. Important relationships and friendships are also recognized during the day, by visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts and sweets.

After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks). The children enjoy sparklers and variety of small fireworks, while adults enjoy playing with ground chakra, Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar), sutli bomb, rockets and bigger fireworks. The fireworks signify celebration of Diwali as well a way to chase away evil spirits. After fireworks, people head back to a family feast, conversations and midayi (sweets, desserts).

Diwali also marks the beginning of New Year, in some parts of India, where the Hindu Vikrama calendar is popular. Merchants and shopkeepers close out their old year, and start a new fiscal year with blessings from Lakshmi and other deities.

Padwa, Balipratipada

The day after Diwali, is celebrated as Padwa. This day ritually celebrates the love and mutual devotion between the wife and husband. The husbands give thoughtful gifts, or elaborate ones to respective spouses. In many regions, newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals. Sometimes brothers go and pick up their sisters from their in-laws home for this important day. The day is also a special day for the married couple, in a manner similar to anniversaries elsewhere in the world. The day after Diwali devotees perform Goverdhan puja in honor of Lord Krishna.

Bhai Duj, Bhaiya Dooj

The last day of festival is called Bhai dooj (Brother’s second). It celebrates the sister-brother loving relationship, in a spirit similar to Raksha Bandhan but with different rituals. The day ritually emphasizes the love and lifelong bond between siblings. It is a day when women and girls get together; perform a puja with prayers for the well being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of food-sharing, gift-giving and conversations. In historic times, this was a day in autumn when brothers would travel to meet their sisters, or bring over their sister’s family to their village homes to celebrate their sister-brother bond with the bounty of seasonal harvests.

Diwali symbolize “Do not curse darkness, light a candle”. In the present world there are many evils. Exploitation, Poverty, unemployment, Corruption etc. Due to darkness (ignorance), people not realizing the reality. It is our duty to spread the light of knowledge. 

Join the mass to fight against darkness. 

C.SUNISH.