Celebrating the “Festival of Lights”
“Deepavali” is a Sanskrit word, which means a range of lights that stands for victory of love over light.
Diwali, Deepavali or Divali is a significant festival of the Hindus. “Deep” means light and Diwali is the “Festival of Lights” where lamps are lit to celebrate the victory of good over evil inciting a new hope for mankind.
The evening of the Diwali festival is gorgeous with a varied display of firecrackers. People wear new clothes and share sweets like ‘khil’ (rice puffs) and patashe (sugar disks) and snacks on Diwali. The houses are cleaned and are decorated with fresh flowers. Many houses display a ‘rangoli’, a colorful pattern drawn in rice flour at the entrance. Puja of deities take place at homes and temples with offerings.
In North India, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped together for prosperity. Many North Indian business families start their new financial year from Diwali and open new account books. In Eastern part of India, Kali Puja (worshipping Goddess Kali) sometimes coincides with Divali.
The formal name of the festival is Deepavali; in North India it is colloquially called ‘Diwali’. The celebration of the Diwali festival spreads over five consecutive days at the end of the Hindu month Ashwayuja that corresponds to the months of October or November in the Gregorian calendar. The Diwali festival arrives exactly 20 days after Dussehra.
Diwali or Deepawali or the festival of lights is an important and popular festival celebrated throughout the country in one form or the other.
Diwali is associated with several legends. One myth says that on this auspicious day Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune roams about and visits the houses of people. Therefore, people tidy up their homes, establishments and shops and decorate them lavishly to welcome the goddess. In the night she is worshipped with great devotion. It is also commemorates the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana, and Rama returns to Ayodhya. It is also this day that Krishna killed the demon Narkasura
Few days before the festival, the houses are whitewashed and completely cleaned. The courtyards, the gates and the place of worship are decorated with bandanvars, flowers intricate colored paperwork and at night every nook and corner of the house, etc., is illuminated with earthen lamps, candles, and fireworks are displayed. People get up early in the morning and have bath and then move about freely in an atmosphere of gaiety, mirth, rejoicing and festivity. Lots of sweets are prepared and exchanged.
On this occasion people ask for each other’s forgiveness for the wrongs done knowingly or unknowingly and mutual relations are reestablished and strengthened. Thus, all enmity is forgiven and forgotten and people embrace one another. At night, Lakshmi along with Ganesha is worshipped, old accounts are closed and new ones are opened. People in throngs go about the bazaars and streets during the night and appreciate the finest illumination. Special shops and bazaars are also set up on this occasion, and there is a brisk buying of sweets, utensils, clothes, jewellery, toys etc.
The Origin of the Diwali festival
There are several legends and beliefs regarding the origin of Deepavali. The most popular one says that Diwali marks the time when Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. Some people believe Diwali marks the day when Lord Krishna defeated Narakasura. Another story suggests Diwali as the day when Bali returned to rule the nether world obeying the order of Vishnu. The Diwali festival is probably rooted in ancient harvest celebrations.
The Five-Day Diwali Celebration
In North India, Diwali is celebrated for 5 days. Divali is a new moon day, which marks the last day of a 15 day half lunar month. The second half lunar month starts off from Diwali.
Dhan Teras
“Dhan Teras” or “Dhan Trayodoshi” is the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month. ‘Dhan’ is wealth and ‘Trayodoshi’ means “13th day”. This holyday is considered auspicious for shopping.
Naraka Chaturdasi
This is the 14th day of the second half of the lunar month. Naraka means “of a new era of Light and Knowledge” and Chaturdasi means the “14th day”.
Diwali
Diwali is the third day of the 5 days. In Diwali, the moon completely disappears and the sky becomes pitch black.
Varsha-Pratipada
Pratipada means the first. This day signifies beginning of the New Year.
Bhayiduj
This is the last day of the festival when the brothers and sisters meet and express their love and affection for each other.