Diwali: Festival of Lights

All communities enjoy India’s most important holiday of the year.

Diwali, or Dipawali. Diwali in Sanskrit dīpāval means “row or series of lights. In Sanskrit, Dipa means “lamp, that which glows, shines, illuminates or knowledge, and āvali, “a row, range, continuous line, series.”

Diwali is an auspicious time; it is the victory of good over evil and is based on the Ramayana, wherein Rama returns victorious to his kingdom Ayodhya, after having rescued his wife, Sita, from the demonic Ravana.

He is accompanied by his brother Lakshmana. The story lends itself to bravery, honesty, and fearlessness, symbolizing the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.

Leading up to Diwali, people prepare by cleaning their homes, renovating their offices, lighting diyas, and making colorful rangoli designs. Diwali is about rejoicing, being in gratitude, and praying.

The Diwali pooja for prosperity and abundance is a must in most homes; they worship the goddess of prosperity and wealth, Lakshmi. There are celebrations of light firecrackers, with plenty of gifting and distributing sweets.

Diwali is a major cultural event for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diaspora.

• In northern India, they celebrate the story of King Rama’s return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps.

• Southern India celebrates it as the day that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.

• In western India, the festival marks the day that Lord Vishnu, the Preserver (one of the main gods of the Hindu trinity) sent the demon King Bali to rule the nether world.

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/pages/article/diwaliHindus

The Diwali story differs where you live. Still, the one commonality is it is a celebration of good over evil. Diwali is all about love, family, and tradition. It is a festival of sharing and caring, loving and giving.

The festival Diwali is celebrated over five days, each day having a significant meaning.

DHANTERAS

In the word Dhanteras, “Dhan” means Wealth and ‘Teras’ means thirteenth, as it is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the Hindu calendar month, Kartik. People pray to Goddess Laxmi and Lord Kubera, the wealthy deities seeking their blessings on this day.

NARAK CHATURDASHI / CHOTI DIWALI

Narak Chaturdashi is also known as Choti Diwali and is generally celebrated a day ahead of Diwali.

LAKSHMI PUJAN

Lakshmi Pujan is a Hindu occasion for the veneration of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity and the supreme goddess of Vaishnavism.
On this day, People perform puja to the cash box or bowl of coins in the household and offer flowers, coconut, and fruits to Goddess Lakshmi.

PADWA/ BALI PRATIPADA

Bali Pratipada is the fourth day of Diwali and is celebrated as New Year. This day is dedicated to bonds between spouses; the wife prays for the prosperity, wealth, and long life of her husband.
It is celebrated in honor of the notional return of the daitya-king Bali to earth.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balipratipada

BHAI DOOJ

Bhai Dooj, Bhaubeej, is a day of bonding between brothers and sisters. The brothers promise to look after and protect their sisters. He showers her with love, affection, and gifts.

Diwali is the occasion to love, pray and start anew.

Written by: Dr.(hon) Farhana Vohra