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::: Deepavali - Festival of Lights |
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Divali or Deepavali,
known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional dipa or deeya (earthen lamp, as illustrated). Fireworks are associated with the festival. Diwali is a colloquial name used in North India, while the festival is formally called Deepavali in South India.
Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days at the end of Hindu month of Ashwayuja. It usually occurs in October/November,
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| The Legend behind Deepavali |
The Sanskrit word Deepavali means an array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. As the knowledge of Sanskrit diminished, the name was popularly modified to Diwali, especially in northern India. In South India, Diwali does not coincide with the beginning of a new year as South Indians follow a different calendar, the Shalivahana calendar. |
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There are several beliefs regarding the origin of the holiday. One is that,
it commemorates the killing of Narakasura , an evil demon who created havoc, by Lord Krishna 's wife Satyabhama . This happened in the Dwapara Yuga during this time of Lord Krishna's avatar . In another version, the demon was killed by Lord Krishna himself. Before Narakasura's death, he requested a boon from his mother, Satyabhama (believed to be an Avatar of Bhudevi - Narakasura' mother), that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful light. And in
Bhavishyottara and Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Diwali is associated with the Daitya king Bali, who is allowed to return to earth once a year. However in Kerala this is the reason ' Onam' is celebrated. |
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| Diwali also celebrates the return of Lord Rama , King of Ayodhya , with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya from a war in which he killed the demon king Ravana . It is believed that the people lit oil lamps along the way to light their path in the darkness. This is the reason, why the festival is celebrated a day earlier in South India since Lord Rama travelled from the south to his kingdom in the north. |
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According to the Skanda Purana , the goddess Shakti observed 21 days of austerity starting from ashtami of shukla paksha (eighth day of the waxing period of moon) to get half of the body of Lord Shiva . This vrata (austerity) is known as kedhara vrata. Deepavali is the completion day of this austerity. This is the day Lord Shiva accepted Shakti into the left half of the form and appeared as Ardhanarishvara . The ardent devotees observe this 21 days vrata by making a kalasha with 21 threads on it and 21 types of offerings for 35 days. The final day is celebrated as kedhara gauri vrata. |
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The Five Days of Deepavali - The first day is Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras where Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "13th day". Thus, as the name implies, this day falls on the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month. It is an auspicious day for shopping.
The second day is Naraka Chaturdasi : Narak means 'of a new era of Light and Knowledge' Chaturdasi implies fourteenth day. In south India, this is the actual day of festivities.
The Third day is
Diwali, the actual day of Diwali, is celebrated on the third day of the festival, when the moon completely wanes and total darkness sets in the night sky. |
The Fourth day is Govardhan Puja or also called Annakut is celebrated as the day Krishna defeated Indra. For Annakut a mountain of food is decorated symbolizing Govardhan mountain lifted by Lord Krishna.
The Fifth day is Bhayiduj (also Bhayyaduj, Bhaubeej or Bhayitika) and on this day, brothers and sisters meet to express their love and affection for each other. Most Indian festivals bring together families, Bhaiduj brings together married sisters and brothers, and is a significant festive day for them. This festival is ancient, and pre-dates 'Raksha Bandhan' another brother-sister festival being celebrated today. |
Lakshmi Pooja - As per spiritual references, on this day "Lakshmi-panchayatan" enters the Universe. Sri Vishnu, Sri Indra, Sri Kuber, Sri Gajendra and Sri Lakshmi are elements of this "panchayatan" (a group of five). The tasks of these elements are:
- Vishnu : Happiness (happiness and satisfaction)
- Indra : Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth)
- Kuber: Wealth (one who gives away wealth)
- Gajendra: Carries the wealth
- Lakshmi : Divine Energy(Shakti) which provides energy
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| Firecrackers - To enhance the joy of Diwali both the young and the old light firecrackers and fireworks at night. |
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