Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated by Indians around the world. Deepavali, which translates to "a series of lights", is one of the most important Hindu festivals and is celebrated over a 5-day period. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Kartika and according to the Hindu lunar calendar, this month is considered the holiest. This year, Diwali is celebrated every year in the month of November.
Diwali is significant not only because of its huge popularity and brilliant fireworks display, but also because it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. On this day diyas, candles and lamps are placed throughout the home to 'illuminate' the path to knowledge and victory. Each house is decorated with different combinations of colored lights and diyas. The whole country is bathed in soft light and warmth emanating from every home, making it a truly wondrous sight.
The Diwali festival also serves as a purification ritual, which means letting go of all the worries and problems of the past year and coming to light. In the days leading up to Diwali, families gather to clean, renovate and decorate their respective homes and workplaces with rangolis and diyas. Diwali marks the beginning of winter and the beginning of everything new, both in nature and in humanity.
On this day, the celebrants put on their best new clothes and pray to the various gods and goddesses according to their own family traditions.
History
The Diwali festival may have its roots in ancient India and probably began as an important harvest festival. And like many Hindu festivals, the origins of Diwali vary from region to region, largely due to the culture of stories and legends passed from generation to generation through the spoken word.
Some believe that Diwali is the celebration of Goddess Laxmi's marriage to Lord Vishnu. Some even consider this day the auspicious occasion of his birthday, as it is a popular belief that he was born on a new moon (Amavasya) in the month of Kartika.
In certain regions like Bengal, this festival is dedicated to the goddess Kali, the dark goddess of strength. In other regions, believers pray to the elephant-headed god Lord Ganesh. But in mythology and history, Diwali marks the day when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 long years in exile to reclaim his throne and do his duty. His return through his victory over the demon king Ravana is all the more significant. To celebrate the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya would illuminate the kingdom with diyas to light their way home.
Five days of celebration
Each of the five days of Diwali has its own meaning and designation, with the first day, Naraka Chaturdasi, marking the defeat of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.
On the second day, Amavasya, devotees pray to Goddess Laxmi as she is considered by many to be the most benevolent moon at this time and often grants wishes to her devotees. In Amavasya, people also tell the story of Lord Vishnu who took the incarnation of a dwarf and banished Bali to hell. Only during the Festival of Lights is Bali allowed to roam the world again to spread Lord Vishnu's message of love, compassion and knowledge while also igniting diyas.
The Third Day - Kartika Shudda Padyami, Bali comes from Hell and rules the earth according to the blessings given to him by Lord Vishnu. The Fourth Day: Yama Dvitiya, also known as Bhai Dooj, is observed and associated with sisters inviting their brothers to their homes.
The fifth day, Dhanteras, is a celebration of wealth and prosperity. Celebrated two days before Diwali, people around the world try their luck at gambling as it is believed that with the blessings of Goddess Parvati, whoever gambles on the day will be showered with prosperity for the year to come. . According to legend, on this day the goddess Parvati played dice with her husband, Lord Shiva.
Besides all the fun, gambling and firecrackers that surround the Diwali celebration, it is an inherently philosophical festival. One that places great importance on “light” and the predominance of good over evil.