The word Diwali is a distortion of Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means a row of lights. All Indians commonly believe that Diwali leads us from darkness to light and is a harbinger of wealth, peace and well-being. Lighting up of diyas on a dark night figuratively symbolises dispelling of darkness of ignorance from our lives and awakening unto a dawn of knowledge and freedom. Diwali marks remembrance and celebration of the most priceless and timeless gift from God –the gift of Light. The tremendous zeal with which this festival is celebrated throughout the country has made it to be the most awaited day in the Indian calendar. People light up their houses with earthen lamps and candles. Series of electric bulbs are more in vogue these days. Shops bazaars, buildings and complexes are tastefully illuminated. There is an atmosphere of gaiety and piety all around in the neighbourhoods. People make a beeline for mandirs and religious places to make sacred offerings. In the evenings Pujas are held at home. Once the Puja is over people break into a spirit of bonhomie. Children and elders make merry by bursting of crackers. Attired in opulent clothes, with an ostentatious display of ornaments and while enjoying some sumptuously cooked dishes people party late into the night almost till the dawn, the next day.
Diwali is celebrated due to various reasons and each region of the country has its own share of myths, legends, and historicity associated with this colourful festival. But the most predominant belief about the origin of this great festival is related to Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. After vanquishing the demon King Ravana and ending the term of his exile of fourteen years, Lord Rama returned to his capital and his throne on this day with his wife Sita and brother Lakhsmana. He was coronated and the jubilant citizens of Ayodhya had celebrated the occasion with festivities and by lightening up their hearths and homes with diyas (earthen lamps). Some others celebrate it as a mark of victory of Lord Krishna over Nakasura, the demon who had oppressed the humanity in the Mahabharta era.
In the peninsular and southern India, Diwali is associated with the great King Bali who had invoked the ire of gods due to his arrogance and conceit. Though very popular amongst his subjects, Bali became a threat to the three worlds. The gods implored Lord Vishnu to rescue them. He devised a clever stratagem to deal with him. In the form of a dwarf, the Lord appeared before the King and asked for the fulfilment of a wish from him. He asked for the ownership of land, which he could traverse with his three tiny steps. The King readily obliged him by granting him the wish. Lord Vishnu covered the Heavens with his first step; the material world with his second step and when he was about to take his third step the wise king thrust his head underneath it. The Lord tucked him into the netherworld with his third step. He was forever ordained to reside there. However Lord Vishnu allowed him to visit his kingdom once a year. It’s believed that he returns every year to visit his kingdom .The day is celebrated is celebrated as a mark of welcome to King Bali as Bali Padyami.
With passage of time a lot of important historical events also got associated with this festival. Coronation of King Vikramditya of Gupta Dynasty who brought about the Golden Age of Indian History was held this day. Sri Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru of Sikhs reached Amritsar this day in 1620 A.D. after completing incarceration of twelve years in the Gwalior Fort of Emperor Jahangir. The great Guru had also secured the release of 52 Hindu kings along with him. The people of Amritsar had lit up earthen lamps to welcome him. Deep mala of the Golden Temple Complex since then has become a yearly fixture and the great spectacle of fireworks and lights present blissful moments for the devout. Gujratis associate Diwali with Ma Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Lakhsmi pooja lasts for five days and people elaborately clean and decorate their houses to welcome the holy mother. Diwali is also the harvest festival for farmers as after completing their seasonal work on this day they offer prayers in thanks giving to the god for a bumper crop.
It is a tradition amongst the trading classes in India to indulge in gambling on Diwali. It is believed that Parvati had played dice with her husband Lord Shiva on this day. She had also received a boon from Shiva that who-so–ever will gamble this day shall prosper the year around.
These days when the Indian community has spread its roots far and wide, Diwali has come to be celebrated all across the world. People light up their homes and exchange gifts and sweets amongst each other. Pujas are held at home and even non-Indian community members are invited to participate in festivities. Diwali, this way is gaining worldwide popularity as a cosmopolitan festival.
However there is an ugly dimension to this great festival too. A lot of people get injured due to unsafe handling of fireworks. Many such incidents prove to be fatal. Unfortunately most of the casualties are amongst children. Sometimes people get blinded also. Due to bursting of crackers our environment gets polluted with poisonous gases. A lot of birds and animals die due to pollution. Sometimes fires breaks out in villages and towns due to negligence. All these incidents mar the beauty of this wonderful festival of lights. We should all celebrate Diwali with caution so that its sacred and happy memories remain etched in our minds till the next one arrives. We wish all our readers a Very Happy & Safe Diwali.
