Diwali: Called the Festival of Lights, this especially grand and joyous celebration is held every year in India and Nepal.
Deepavali, or the festival of lights, is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in India and with much enjoyment and vigor. This five-day festival is the triumph of light over darkness, good over the bad, knowledge over the anti-knowledge. The name derives from the Sanskrit term Deepa which means lamp and Avali meaning row or a line according to the traditions. Thus, Diwali refers to a row of lamps, which in a way reflects the spirit of the celebration.
Historical and Mythological Significance
It is found everywhere, and its mythology has significant variations depending on the country. In North India, it festival is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after 14 years of exile and fighting and killing the demon Ravana. It is primarily celebrated in South India concerning Lord Krishna wherein he killed Narakasura, the demon. On the other hand, in Western India the festival is associated with the fact of Lord Vishnu exiled demon king Bali to the underworld.
Celebratory Practices
The festivities span five days, each with its unique significance and rituals: The festivities span five days, each with its unique significance and rituals:
- Dhanteras: The festival comprises six days in all starting with the Dhanteras which means wealth. Those who preserve, renovate, and purify their homes buy gold or new utensils for the kitchen, and others pray to Dhanvantari to be free from diseases.
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali): Some of the activities carried out on this day are washing with aromatic oils and water to get rid of evil and going to bed early. People beautify their homes by making rangoli in front of their homes with colored powders and there are small lampoons (diyas) lightened in the evening.
- Diwali: The festival of lights is concluded by the main day of Diwali which is celebrated by Lakshmi Puja, a ceremony performed in honor of the goddess of wealth- Lakshmi. People of all ages come together to recite prayers, light oil lamps, and burst crackers savor sweets, and exchange gifts among themselves. The use of lights from diyas and bursts of firecrackers means that the houses are now free from the un-coming of darkness and ignorance.
- Govardhan Puja: It is customary to observe this day in memory of the victory of Lord Krishna over Indra – the god of rain. Lovers perform a unique pomp through meticulous arrangements of vegetarian dishes to be offered to Krishna and build a replica of the Govardhan Hill from cow dung.
- Bhai Dooj: The last day is devoted to the unique fraternal relationship that is between brothers and sisters. Sisters, with the help of adults, conduct a ceremony closely related to a rite where they offer gifts to their brothers, asking them to live long, happy, and prosperous lives, while brothers also gift them.
Traditions and Themes
The core theme of Diwali is simply the victory of light over dark, or in other words, the victory of good over evil. People returning home after a long time by lighting diya and candles, decorating homes with colorful lights, and bursting firecrackers, or fireworks are significant of this victory. Stal teddy bears and sweets and gifts are a good symbol of unity and people’s best wishes.
Dulhan unblushes enterprises with rangoli designs made at the entrance of homes to invite prosperity and joy. The aspect of people putting on new clothes, and cleaning their homes, among other things, is interpreted to symbolize new starts and elimination of any form of negativity. However, Diwali also means giving where everyone will gift the less privileged individuals, making it an embodiment of charity.
Modern Celebrations
Yet, there are explicit novelties as part of the contemporary lens that has come to augment and supplement the conventional ways. People are also getting more aware of the environment through the use of lamps and candles which are being replaced by diyas aside from less use of fireworks that pollute the environment. Other than the Diwali melas, those that are organized as either fairs or events also entail tastes, shows, and shops alongside stalls selling foods.
Conclusion
In essence, Diwali is not just a simple festival because it contains cultural, religious, and social aspects in it. They relate to ideas of light, knowledge, and prosperity, ideas that are beloved by people of all ages and cultures, thus turning the holiday into a cheerful one for everybody. Owing to the historical past or moderation made in various religions, the theme of Diwali is still bright and functional in every home and every corner of the world.
Comments are closed.