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Celebrated Due To: The Return
Of Lord Rama To Ayodhya
Also Known As: Deepawali,Deepavali,Divali
Popularly Known As: Festival Of Lights
About Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights is
an occasion for the invocation of the Gods of prosperity and plenty,
is celebrated with great pomp and splendour all across India. The
word Diwali is the shortened version of "Deepawali', which
means a cluster of lights or an array of lamps. The festival is
celebrated 20 days after Dussehra that is on the 15th day of Ashwin
(October/November). This new moon night, or Amavasya as it is called
is thus turned into a bright and colourful night.
The Diwali Festival lasts for five
days. They are known as Dhantrayodashi, Roop Chaturdashi, Laxmipujan
(New Moon Day), Bali Pratipada, and Bhaubij.
For most of the people it's a three-day celebration begins with
the Dhan-Teras, on the 13th day of the dark half of Kartik, followed
the next day by the Roop Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali in the 14th
day, and by Deepavali proper on the 15th day.
Dhan Teras
The thirteenth day of the dark fortnight, i.e. two days before Diwali
is known as Dhan Teras. On this day a new utensil is bought for
the house. The house has to be cleaned, washed and whitewashed.
On this day, the children are taken out to buy crackers, candles,
earthendiyas and a hatri (a small house-like structure made of mud,
where a small idol of Lakshmiji sits in the middle).A pair of earthen
Lakshmi and Ganeshji are a must for Diwali pujan. (Ganeshji is to
be worshipped in all pujas before any other god or goddess.) Lakshmiji,
the goddess of wealth, is supposed to visit everyone during Diwali;
therefore she must also be fussed over. Earthen katoris known as
kulris and chaugaras, lots of kheel (puffed rice), toys made out
of candy (known as khand ke khilone), batashas, etc., are required
for the puja. The markets are extremely well decorated and full
of items which one can buy for the home. Special foods like paari
and deevlas are made at home. The day prior to Diwali is known as
Chhoti Diwali.
Roop Chaturdashi/Choti Diwali
The next day after Dhanteras is Roop Chaturdashi when it is ordained
that the human form is kept clean, healthy and beautified in order
to ensure the Lord's blessings as it is one's human duty to look
after the bodily form given by God. The day dawns and the infectious
excitement of Choti Diwali in the air. A ghee lamp with wicks in
four directions is lit along with 16 smaller lamps and the house
is readied for the main festival of Goddess Mahalakshmi the next
day.
The Liberation of Laxmi
The new moon night, "amavasya", of Ashvin, is a big celebration,
known as Laxmi Pujan. King Bali had taken Laxmi as a slave. Vishnu,
in his fifth avatar as Vaman, defeated Bali and liberated Laxmi.
On this day the liberation of Laxmi is celebrated by worshipping
Laxmi. Shopkeepers and merchants worship their account books and
their merchandise. Light overcomes darkness and night becomes like
day. People play firecrackers.
Bali Pratipada
The first day of the month Kartik is a full "muhurta",
or auspicious day. This is New Year's Day for merchants.
In the month of Bhadrapad Vaman Dwadashi was celebrated to commemorate
the story of Vaman's victory over King Bali, who was thrown to hell
by Vaman's third step. But since Bali had shown some goodness by
keeping his word, Vaman was satisfied and made Bali king of the
lower regions and promised him that on the first Pratipada of Kartik
people would remember him. So on this day some people take the name
of Bali, they worship his picture together with that of his wife,
Vindhyavati, and waving the lamp before the picture or idol they
sing, "Ida Pida javo, Balitse rajya yevo." ("Let
suffering go and let Bali's kingdom come.")
Bhaubij: Brothers and Sisters
All
Today is the feast of the brother, also called Yamadwititya, or
the Second Day of Yama, because on this day Yama went to visit his
sister Yami, and they waved the lamp to each other as a sign of
mutual love and respect. On this day sisters wave the lamp to their
brothers, and brothers offer gifts to their sisters. This occasion
invites brothers and sisters in every family to foster real brotherly
love.
Deepawali - Row Of Lights
On Diwali, the number of lamps goes up to 26 to be lit at the place
of the puja and Kuber the God of wealth. Ganesha, the remover of
obstacles, Lord Indra, the repository of power and happiness, Lord
Vishnu, the bestower of all wishes and Goddess Saraswati, the fountainhead
of knowledge, are invoked along with Mahalakshmi. Sweets are distributed
among the poor and not so fortunate ones, to share the bounty of
the Goddess.
The morning after, woman of the house
are supposed to beat bamboo winnow-baskets outside the main door
signifying that as the Goddess Mahalakshmi has come to stay in the
house, there is no place for poverty. Beating and thrashing sounds
are made to chase him away, singing a particular song.
Legends & Beliefs
The related tales about the reason for celebrating Diwali are several.
The most popular one being the return and coronation of Lord Rama
after a 14-year exile to Ayodhya after his victory over evil in
the form of Ravana. According to other traditions, it is said that
this was the day of that King Bali made the Paatal Lok his chosen
land and so Lord Indra celebrated that fact that his Kingdom of
heaven was saved.
It is also believed that the souls
of ancestors come to visit their homes on the new moon day of Diwali.
Lamps are lit to guide the departed souls on their way to their
homes. However, this mythology is associated with Deepavali only
in parts of Western and Southern India; it is not known in the northern
and eastern regions. In South India people take an oil bath in the
morning and wear new clothes. They partake of sweetmeats and light
fireworks, which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura who
was killed on this day.
Another belief is that it was on
this day when the ocean was churned and Mahalakshmi manifest herself
and accepted Lord Vishnu as her husband. Another one relates to
the King Vikramaditya's declaration of a Samvar Chaitra Sudi Pratipada
in consultation with a large number of learned Vidhwans. Perhaps
that is why there is a tradition of starting a new account books
on this day. It was on this day that the creator of Aryasamaj Maharshi
Dayanand got Moksha.
In some regions, the crop harvest,
not mythology, is the main reason of the celebration of Diwali.
Many sociaologists believe that Diwali began as a celebration of
the harvest season. India being an agrarian society, regarded the
harvest season as the season of plenty and prosperity. As the end
of one harvest and beginning of another season meant the end of
one cycle of activity and the beginning of a new one, naturally
people looked upon a festival that heralds the beginning of a new
year.
Rituals And Celebrations
The festival of Diwali is not complete without the Rangoli, a decorative
pattern made on the floor to adorn the front of the house. A Rangoli
is an invitation to guests and is believed to bring good luck. It
has its roots in the designs from Southern India. Usually, the senior
members of the family exhort the children of the house to do the
Rangoli for the purpose of passing down traditional values and beliefs.
In the cities, communities get together
to celebrate. Strings of lillte electric lights and Kandeels are
put up. Children with their easy all aglow treat themselves to fireworks
- sparklers, flower pots rockets and noisy Phatakas (firecrackers).
As the revelry reaches its fevered pitch, people are drawn from
all around toward these well-lit, colourful and beautifully decorated
packets in the city watch firework displays and to enjoy the festive
ambience.
In earlier times, since there was
no electricity, clay lamps and paper lanterns were used to light
up homes - a tradition that is followed even today. Clay lampa are
considered Shudh (pure). The lamps are lanterns also indicate the
victory of light over darkness, good over evil and truth over falsehood.
The Essence Of Diwali
It is also the season of giving and renewal. Delicious homemade
sweets are packed in decorative boxes and sent to friends and relatives
along with wishes for along and prosperous life. Many people even
prepare meals for the less fortunate, donate a part of their month's
earnings to temples and pray well being for their families. Among
the business class Diwali is the time of presenting employees with
the gifts and bonuses in appreciation for their dedicated service.
Shopkeepers closing their occasions or this time of the year, usually
place their ledgers in front of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.
Laksmi is believed to visit homes and shops that are well lit, families
decorate their homes with flowers and paper chains. People don their
best clothes, or buy new ones, children are given presents and sweets
and season's greetings are exchanged through visits or Diwali cards.
All in all these Diwali celebrations
indicate the socio-religious bond that people share with each other.
So celebrate the joy of lights and let the deafening roar of fireworks
chase away the demons lurking in the dark.
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