Festival of lights and its significance

Diwali or Deepavali is a is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, besides other religions as well --- Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, notably Newar Buddhists.  Usually, the festival is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika [between mid-October and mid-November].

One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali or Deepavali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness and good over evil.”

Why is Diwali called the festival of lights?

Diwali is a feast of lamps and the festival significance symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.  

Diwali Story

According to Hindu mythology, it is also a celebration of the day Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana after defeating Ravana in Lanka and serving 14 years of exile.  People also celebrate by remembering the Pandavas who had returned home after 12 years of exile, following a humiliating loss to the Kauravas in the game of dice.

One can see, celebrants are busy cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and workplaces with diyas [oil lamps] and rangolis [colorful art circle patterns]. 

This year Diwali 2024 will be celebrated on October 31 all over the country.

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During Diwali, people wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas and rangoli, perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth. Adults and children are enjoying to light fireworks, partake in family feasts, and exchanges of  mithai [sweets] and gifts are taking place that denotes the expression of companionship and fellowship among the people.

Especially, the festival is an annual homecoming and bonding period not only for families but also for communities and associations. Greeting cards are reciprocated to family near and far during the festive season.

Diwali or Deepavali is from the Sanskrit meaning "row or series of lights".  Dipa means "lamp, light, lantern, candle, that which glows, shines, illuminates or knowledge" and āvali, "a row, range, continuous line, series.”

Generally, the festivities begin two days [second half of October or early November] before amāvasyā, on Dhanteras [symbol of annual renewal, cleansing and an auspicious beginning for the next year], and extend two days after, on the second day of the month of Kartik.  It is an official holiday in most of the countries. 

During this festival one can see in temples and on the outside of the roofs, an innumerable number of oil lamps, which are kept burning day and night and that the families would gather clothe themselves in new garments sing, dance and feast. 

In Eastern part of India, Hindus associate the festival with the goddess Kali, who symbolises the victory of good over evil.  Parts of Assam, as well as southern Tamil and Telugu associations view Diwali as the day the god Krishna overcame and destroyed the evil demon king Narakasura, in yet another symbolic victory of knowledge and good over ignorance and evil.

Also, trade and merchant families and others offer prayers to Saraswati, who embodies music, literature and learning and Kubera, who symbolises book-keeping, treasury and wealth management. In Gujarat, and certain northern Hindu communities of India, the festival of Diwali signifies the start of a new year.

If you see each day of Diwali has a different centre of attraction. The first day is a shopping day especially for gold or silver. The second day is used to decorate the home and the third day is the main day of the festival with fireworks at night and a feast with family and friends.  It is a festival of togetherness and prosperity according to Hindu traditions. During Diwali one can see the artistic expression through vibrant performances, unique exhibits, and colorful decorations.

The most interesting part of Diwali is marked by ornate decorations and people wear glittering displays of colors and lights because it is widely believed that Diwali is the day on which the Hindu goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi supposedly roams the Earth and blesses people with wealth and happiness.

Diwali, festival of light is a cultural connection across the world.  There are other countries that celebrate Diwali just like India:

• In United Kingdom many events are held here to celebrate the occasion known as the Festival of Lights
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Mauritius
• Malaysia
• Fiji
• Sri Lanka
• Nepal

Perceptibly, Diwali is the festival of light, but morality derives an opportunity to do good towards the betterment of society. Most importantly Diwali signifies Good can triumph over Evil. We must have patience, no matter how long the wait is, time changes and things will be favorable. Also, children can learn from this festival to seek the blessings of elders and to learn to respect them.                                              

Even in many parts of the country Diwali is widely celebrated.  The prominent ones are:

• Varanasi. Recognised as one of the holiest towns in India, Varanasi celebrates Diwali on the banks of the holy Ganges!
• Amritsar
• Jaipur
• Udaipur
• Kolkata
• Goa
• Gujarat
• Ayodhya

No doubt festivals like this teach us to balance our emotions and stress relivers. It brings positivity and lower negativity.  It also provides an opportunity to reduce friction and brings estranged friends and relatives together in a bond of love. 

There are also five amazing facts about Diwali:

• The festival occurs on a no-moon night
• It celebrates the birth of Lakshmi, goddess of Wealth
• It is the end of harvest season
• It includes the festival of Annakut
• There are plenty of fireworks and lights! 

It is also important that we should not do during Diwali Puja:

• When choosing gifts for friends and relatives, avoid leather items, cutlery and crackers
• Gambling should be avoided
• Avoid Drinking and taking non-vegetarian food on Diwali
• Do not leave the pooja area unattended throughout the night to make sure that the diya remains lit 

However, one can celebrate Diwali in a different manner:

• Buy a gift for yourself which gives a happiness
• Organise competition in a healthy manner
• Donate/ Spend time with old people
• Host a lunch/dinner party for less privileged
• Put aside phones and log off from social media to celebrate the spirit of Diwali
• Try cooking and use biodegradable crockery
• Go natural and keep simple with the traditional way

In short, Diwali is the centre of attraction of lighting of lamps, candles, electric lights and fireworks.  It has a certain belief that that if we leave the lights on, Ganesha and Lakshmi will come to our house, so we want to make sure that we have enough light in the house.