Diwali

[Diwali or Divali is also called Deepavali and Bandi Chhorh Divas. Originally purely a Hindu festival as described in this article, it is also celebrated by Jains, Buddhists in certain places and by Sikhs since the 17th century as a celebration of the Return of Guru Har Gobind Ji. It is regarded as a national festival in India and Nepal, but Diwali celebrations take place around the world.]

Diwali is considered to be the brightest of the major Hindu festivals and is rightly called the 'festival of lights'. This is the festival when lamps light up homes across India and where friends and family rejoice with visits, feasts and gifts. Though many think that Diwali is a single day festival, it is a festival that continues for five days.

Diwali starts on the 14th day of the dark half of the Hindu month, Asvina. The name Diwali originates from the Sanskrit Deepavali that means 'rows of lights'. Diwali is the function meant to commemorate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, after spending 14 years in exile. The people in Ayodhya had celebrated this return by illuminating the way using small oil lamps, called diyas.

However in Bengal, people tend to worship Kali during Diwali, she being the goddess of strength. In some parts of India, lord Ganesha, the god of knowledge is worshipped along with other gods and goddesses during Diwali.

Diwali is also considered to be the festival to mark the marriage of goddess Lakshmi and god Vishnu. Then there are parts of India where it is celebrated to mark Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Naraka.

During Diwali today, these same diyas are used to light up homes, temples, staircases, parapets, windowsills and even shine from little boats on waterfronts. Along with these diyas, people also light colorful candles and light fireworks to illuminate the night sky.

This lighting up of the houses is considered to be a means of revering to heaven for more of health, affluence, peace, opulence and wisdom. It is said that the sound of fireworks signify the delight of denizens on earth to the gods.

Homes are cleaned and decorated with flowers and colorful rangolis of wonderful patterns. These rangolis are usually made in rice flour and are found at the doorway of the home.

Friends and relatives visit each other's homes to taste different delicacies like kheer, sugar disks, patashe or rice puffs. Of course, don't forget the puja and worship of deities in Hindu homes and temples during Diwali, which are accompanied with prayers and offerings.

Besides the legend that accompanies Diwali, it is also a festival that symbolizes the start of a new financial year. New ledgers that are embellished with images of the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Laxmi, are started in both the domestic and business front. It is this goddess of wealth Laxmi that is primarily worshipped during Diwali, and called 'Dhanteras'. This worshiping of Lord Lakshmi is said to bestow the worshipper with wealth and prosperity.

'Bhai Dooj' or 'Bhai Beej' is another practice of Diwali where brothers hold their sisters in high respect and give them gifts. So it can be seen that the five different days of Diwali consist of a puja of deities that differ in India.

There are different traditions followed on these different days; however the only thing that remains consistent on these five days is a celebration of life, goodness and joy. Diwali is a festival that brings light to darkness and gives you the strength to do better deeds and to reach god.