Diwali
The history
of Diwali is replete with legends and these legends are moored to the stories
of Hindu religious scriptures, mostly the Puranas. Though the central theme of
all legends point out to the classic truth of the victory of the good over the
evils, the mode of their presentation and the characters differ. Diwali, being
the festival of lights, lighting the lamp of knowledge within us means to
understand and reflect upon the significant purpose of each of the five days of
festivities and to bring those thoughts in to the day to day lives.
Five
day of Diwali
The first day of
Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan
Theras.
The second day of
Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of
the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day
Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear.
The third day of
Diwali is the actual Diwali. This is the day when worship for Mother Lakshmi is
performed.
On the fourth day
of Diwali, Goverdhan Pooja is performed.
The fifth day of
the diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. It is a day dedicated to sisters.
Hindu Mythology
The
Story of Rama and Sita:
Lord Rama was a great warrior King who was exiled by his father Dashratha, the
King of Ayodhya, along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman, on
his wife's insistence. Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years
of exile, in which he put an end to the demon Ravana of Lanka, who was a great
Pundit, highly learned but still evil dominated his mind. After this victory of
Good over Evil, Rama returned to Ayodhya. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed them
by lighting rows of clay lamps. So, it is an occasion in honor of Rama's
victory over Ravana; of Truth's victory over Evil.
The Story of King Bali and Vamana
Avatar(the Dwarf): The other story concerns King Bali, who
was a generous ruler. But he was also very ambitious. Some of the Gods pleaded
Vishnu to check King Bali's power. Vishnu came to earth in the form of a
Vamana(dwarf) dressed as priest. The dwarf approached King Bali and said
"You are the ruler of the three worlds: the Earth, the world above the
skies and the underworld. Would you give me the space that I could cover with
three strides?" King Bali laughed. Surely a dwarf could not cover much
ground, thought the King, who agreed to dwarf's request. At this point, the
dwarf changed into Vishnu and his three strides covered the Earth, the Skies
and the whole Universe! King Bali was send to the underworld. As part of Diwali
celebrations, some Hindus remember King Bali.
The Defeat of Narkasur by Lord
Krishna: Lord Vishnu in his 8th incarnation as Krishna
destroyed the demon Narkasura, who was causing great unhappiness amongst the
people of the world. Narkasura was believed to be a demon of filth, covered in
dirt. He used to kidnap beautiful young women and force them to live with him.
Eventually, their cries for rescue were heard by Vishnu, who came in the form
of Krishna. First, Krishna had to fight with a five-headed monster who guarded
the demon's home. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to others.
Krishna granted his request and the women were freed. For Hindus, this story is
a reminder that good can still come out of evil.
Meaning &
Significance
This
is a festival enjoyed by all from children to old. They give expression to
their happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses,
bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for
partaking in a sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying
obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and
fame.
On
Diwali night, little clay lamps are lit in Hindus homes, but now a days colored
electric lamps are also used. What is the significance of lighting a lamp?
There is a logical answer to this question. It is through the light that the
beauty of this world is revealed or experienced. Most civilizations of the
world recognize the importance of light as a gift of God. It has always been a
symbol of whatever is positive in our world of experience.
To
Hindus, darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for knowledge.
Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of
all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry,
fear, injustice, oppression and suffering, etc. Competition is stiff, and even
the little girl in silk frocks and their finery are watching out for the best
sparklers and flowerpots, the rockets and Vishnuchakras, which light-up the
night sky like a thousand stars. Grown-ups are the soul of generosity. Festive
bonhomie abounds.
Diwali Traditions & Customs
Deepavali,
the literal meaning of which in Sanskrit is 'a row of lamps.' Filling little
clay lamps with oil and wick and lighting them in rows all over the house is a
tradition that is popular in most regions of the country. Even today in this
modern world it projects the rich and glorious past of our country and teaches
us to uphold the true values of life. It is associated with many customs and traditions.
One of the most curious customs, which characterizes this festival of Diwali,
is the indulgence of gambling, especially on a large scale in North India.
The first day of five day long
Diwali celebrations is of great importance to the rich community of western
India. Houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are
made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome
Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited
arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all
over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the night. Believing this
day to be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two
new utensils.
Lakshmi-Puja is performed in the
evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil
spirits, devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and Naivedya of
traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in
Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as
Naivedya In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form
the main source of their income. In south cows are offered special veneration
as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore
they are adorned and worshiped on this day .
On second day there is a traditional practice specially in Maharashtra
of taking bath before sunrise with oil and "Uptan" (paste) of gram
flour and fragrant powders. In northern India, especially in places like
Punjab, Diwali is dedicated to the worship of Lord Rama. While in Bengal,
Kali/Durga, the goddess of strength, is worshiped. Diwali is one of the few
Hindu festivals, which is celebrated in every part of the country, even in
states like Kerala that has Onam as its main festival. To the Jains, Deepavali
has an added significance to the great event of Mahaveera attaining the Eternal
Bliss of Nirvaana.
Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on the fourth day. This
day is also observed as Annakoot meaning 'mountain of food'. In temples
especially in Mathura and Nathadwara, the deities are given milk bath and
dressed in shining attires with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies
and other precious stones. After the prayers and traditional worship
innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are offered to the deities as
"Bhog" and then the devotees approach and take Prasad.
Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in every Hindu household. In many Hindu
homes it is a custom for the wife to put the red tilak on the forehead of her
husband, garland him and do his "Aarti" with a prayer for his long
life. In appreciation of all the tender care that the wife showers on him, the
husband gives her a costly gift. This Gudi Padwa is symbolic of love and
devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly married daughters with
their husbands are invited for special meals and given presents. Diwali
celebration is a very happy occasion for all.
Tradition of Fireworks and Lights
Also
acclaimed as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is associated with lights, sweets,
and liveliness; especially lights. As, it is celebrated on the new-moon
(Amavasya) night, lights and fireworks have a significant role to play in this
festival. This is why, when we heard the name Diwali, the first impression that
flashes through our minds is of multicolored and impressive fireworks,
sprinkling various sorts of bright colored lights in the night sky. Although
the tradition of fireworks on Diwali is not very old, still they have succeeded
in becoming such a vital part of this festival that we can't even imagine a
wonderful Diwali without them.
The majestic appeal of the Diwali festival is such that, it drifts everyone in
a festive and relaxed mood even before its arrival. Temples and markets are
decorated and lighted a few days before Diwali, as a sign of paying homage to
and welcoming this great Hindu festival. The Depawali or Diwali festival also
marks the beginning of the new year according to the Hindu calendar, as the
Ashwin month ends and the Kartik month begins on this day. Besides the
contemporary led-lights, candles, and fireworks, people also use the
conventional earthen-lamps (diyas) for embellishing their homes. Prayers are
offered to goddess Laxmi and lord Ganesha on Diwali night.
Diwali is really a fabulous festival and fireworks play a significant role in
increasing its charm among all age-groups. Whether they are kids, youngsters,
or older people, everybody enjoy the fireworks like twinkling Anars, furious
Rockets, vibrant Sparklers, cyclonic Ground Discs (phirki), and so. However,
there are some environmental issues associated with the use of firecrackers or
fireworks on the Diwali festival, still there will be no exaggeration in saying
that fireworks are an inherent part of Diwali celebrations.
The Diwali
illuminations with lighted diyas bring the supernatural brightness and joy with
the hope of finding light in darkness, achieving knowledge where there is
ignorance, and spreading love amidst hatred. Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. Light is
significant in Hinduism because it signifies goodness. So, during the Festival
of Lights, 'deeps', or oil lamps, are burned throughout the day and into the
night to ward off darkness and evil.
Homes are
filled with these oil lamps, candles and lights. Some people use decorated
light candles, some decorated diya or clay lamps, and other decorative lights
and put them in their windows for the festival. Traditionally people use
'earthen lamps' with cotton wicks and oil to light up the dark night. As man
progresses, tradition gives way to modernity. Similarly, earthen lamps have
replaced candles of various colors and forms. Electric lights of different
shapes and sizes illuminate the dark, cold nights of Diwali.
Those who
have a fancy for different types of earthen lamps can opt for handi lamps (earthen lamps shaped as handis or bowls).
Some of these handi lamps with the designer touch, with innovative designs
glittering and sparkling on them, are sold by a few women from their home
boutiques. Then there are also the star-shaped earthen diyas that hold a large
quantity of oil and five wick in one lamp and are available at roadside stalls.
Corners of rooms and puja rooms can be decorated and lighted up with brass,
copper or metal lamps.
Candles
also offer a wide choice. There are the regular rod-shaped candles available in
small, medium and large sizes at all roadside kiosks and shops. For those
looking for designer candles, there are the flower-shaped and heart-shaped
floating candles in soft hues. These scented candles when placed in glass bowls
filled with water will float and burn for about two-and-a-half hours. Besides,
the stores also has a collection of glass gel candles that burn for days
together and are drip-free.
