Diwali is one of the most important festivals for the Hindu community in India and other countries. It is known as the “Festival of Lights.”
People celebrate this festival with great joy, illuminating their homes with earthen lamps (diyas) and electric decorations. According to the Hindu calendar, Diwali is celebrated on the night of the New Moon (Amavasya) in the month of Kartika. As per the Gregorian calendar, this usually falls between mid-October and mid-November.
This major national festival is supported by several mythological stories and legends.
Significance of Diwali
During Diwali, people clean their houses. This cleaning usually starts a week before the main festival. In some places, it is also customary to repair and renovate houses before Diwali.
On Diwali day, people wear new clothes and decorate their homes with earthen lamps and candles. Public places are also cleaned and decorated. Gifts and sweets are exchanged among neighbours, friends, and family members.
The Origin of the Celebration
The word ‘Diwali’ originates from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘row of lights.’ Hence, people light lamps to illuminate their homes. According to the Skanda Purana, the earthen lamps symbolise the Sun, which is considered the cosmic giver of light and energy.
Legends Behind Diwali
1. The Return of Lord Rama
According to the Hindu epic Ramayana, Diwali marks the day when Lord Rama, along with Sita Devi, Lakshmana, and Hanuman, returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. His return was on the Chaturdashi (14th day) of the dark half of the month of Thula. The people of Ayodhya lit earthen lamps all along the streets to guide and welcome him. One belief is that Diwali is celebrated to renew this memory.
2. The Birth of Goddess Lakshmi
Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, is the most worshipped during Diwali. It is said that Lakshmi Devi emerged from the depths of the ocean on the day of Diwali, which was the New Moon day in the month of Kartika. On the same night, the Goddess married Lord Vishnu. This event was celebrated by lighting lamps. Therefore, it is believed that the tradition of lighting lamps and candles during the Diwali festival is linked to these events. Along with Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha is also remembered as a symbol of new beginnings and is worshipped on Diwali.
3. Slaying of Narakasura
People in East India associate Diwali with Goddess Durga and her Kali avatar. In Bengal, Diwali is celebrated with Kali Puja rituals. Meanwhile, people in the Braj region of North India believe that Diwali is the day when Lord Krishna slew the demon Narakasura.
4. The Return of the Pandavas
According to the Mahabharata, Diwali is considered the day when the five Pandava brothers returned to their kingdom, Hastinapura, after twelve years of exile. It is said that the villagers, celebrating the joyous return of the Pandava brothers, their wife Draupadi, and their mother Kunti, lit bright earthen lamps everywhere.
5. Significance in Jainism
Jains believe that Diwali is the day when Vardhamana Mahavira attained enlightenment (Moksha). Vardhamana Mahavira is the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of Jainism and the founder of modern Jainism. It is believed that he attained enlightenment in 527 BC. This is another reason for Jains to participate in the Diwali celebrations.
6. Harvest Festival
In many places, Diwali is also celebrated as a harvest festival. In India, it is considered the time when the rich rice crops yield their produce. Diwali is the season for harvesting paddy. Since India has an agrarian economy, the significance of a rich harvest adds to the festivities. Kubera, the Lord of Wealth, is also worshipped on Diwali.
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