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FESTIVAL
CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS
DEEPAWALI OR DIWALI, is a
festival of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the
lifting of spiritual darkness. The word 'Deepawali' literally means
rows of diyas (clay lamps). This is one of the most popular festivals
in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika
(Oct./Nov). This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his
kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile.
 The most beautiful of all
Indian festivals, Diwali is a celebration of lights. Streets are
illuminated with rows of clay lamps and homes are decorated with
colours and candles. This festival is celebrated with new clothes,
spectacular firecrackers and a variety of sweets in the company of
family and friends. All this illumination and fireworks, joy and
festivity, signify the victory of divine forces over those of wicked.
The Goddess Lakshmi (consort
of Vishnu), who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is also
worshipped on this day. In West Bengal, this festival is celebrated as
Kali Puja, and Kali, Shiva's consort, is worshipped on the occasion of
Diwali.
In the South, Diwali
festival often commemorates the conquering of the Asura Naraka, a
powerful king of Assam, who imprisoned thousands of inhabitants. It
was Krishna who was finally able to subdue Naraka and free the
prisoners. Diwali Festival in the south is celebrated in the Tamil
month of Aipasi (thula month) 'naraka chaturdasi' thithi, preceding
amavasai. To commemorate this event, people in Peninsular India wake
before sunrise and make imitation blood by mixing kumkum or vermillion
with oil. After crushing underfoot a bitter fruit as a symbol of the
demon, they apply the `blood' triumphantly on their foreheads. They
then have ritual oil baths, anointing themselves with sandalwood
paste. Visits to temples for prayers are followed by large family
breakfasts of fruits and a variety of sweets.
Another story of king Bali
is attached to the Diwali festival in South India. According to the
Hindu mythology, King Bali was a benevolent demon king. He was so
powerful that he became a threat to the power of celestial deities and
their kingdoms. And Lord Vishnu came as the dwarf mendicant Vamana, to
dilute Bali's power. Vamana shrewdly asked the king for land that
would cover three steps as he walked. The king happily granted this
gift. Having tricked Bali, Vishnu revealed himself in the full glory
of his godhood. He covered the heaven in his first step and the earth
in his second. Realising that he was pitted against the mighty Vishnu,
Bali surrendered and offered his own head, inviting Vishnu to step on
it. Vishnu pushed him into the nether world with his foot. In return
Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge to light up the dark underworld.
He also gave him a blessing that he would return to his people once a
year to light millions of lamps from this one lamp so that on the dark
new moon light of Diwali, the blinding darkness of ignorance, greed,
jealousy, lust, anger ego, and laziness would be dispelled and the
radiance of knowledge, wisdom and friendship would prevail. Each year
on Diwali day, even today, one lamp lights another and like a flame
burning steadily on a windless night, brings a message of peace and
harmony to the world.
Legend of Diwali
Diwali is celebrated mainly for Rama's homecoming to Ayodhya after
defeating Ravana and his coronation as king. The festival marks his
victorious return to his kingdom along with his wife Sita, brother
Laxman and great devotee Hanuman. The legend claimed that it took 20
days for Rama to return to his kingdom after defeating Ravana. The
people of Ayodhya lit up their homes with oil lamps and turned the
night with a light festival. From that time onwards Diwali is being
celebrated to mark the Victory of Lord Ram over the evil Ravana.
Another legend said that
once upon a time King Bali of the nether world mighty power had become
a threat to the gods. In order to give him a lesson Lord Vishnu in the
guise of a Batu Waman- a small boy- visited his kingdom. In that time
King Bali was much more famous for his philanthropist cause. Keeping
this in mind Lord Vishnu begged King Bali to give him only that much
land which he could cover with his three steps. King Bali proudly
granted Lord Vishnu’s wish. With his first step Lord Vishnu covered
the entire heaven and with the second step the earth and asked Bali
where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head. Putting his foot
on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. In that time
Lord Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return
to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness
and ignorance of humanity and spread the radiance of eternity and
love. On this day people also worshipped Goddess Lakshmi as she was
freed by Vishnu from the clutches of King Bali. Therefore, it is
believed that the festival is celebrated in honour of Mother Laxmi.
Another legend said that, in
this day of Diwali, a small boy called Nachiketa who always believed
that Yam, the god of Death was as black as the dark night of amavasya.
But when he met Yamraj, he was quite astonished with Yamraj's calm and
stature. Yam explained to Nachiketa on this Diwali day of amavasya
that by only passing through the darkness of death, man sees the light
of highest wisdom and then only his soul can escape from the bondage
of his mortal frame to mingle with the Supreme Power. And then
Nachiketa realized the importance of worldly life and significance of
death. Then he whole-heartedly participated in Diwali celebrations.
Another story is with
Narakasura (a trouble-maker to the gods) who ruled the kingdom of
Pradyoshapuram. He always disturbed the sages’ community in their
Ashram & created havoc during the rituals. He even grabbed some
territory of Aditi, (the king of Suraloka and a relative of Satyabhama,
Lord Krishna's wife). Continuously harassed with this precarious
approach of Narakasura along with Indra other gods pleaded Lord
Krishna to protect them from the mighty Narakasura. In that time queen
Satyabhama appealed to Krishna to give her chance to destroy
Narakasura. Lord Krishna granted her a boon to fight with Narakasura.
With Krishna as the charioteer, Satyabhama entered the battlefield and
killed the Narakasura. After the death of the demon his mother Bhudevi
declared to celebrate this occasion with joy and rejoice. Since then
Diwali was celebrated by people every year with ardent zeal, fun and
fire.
Another legend said that, on
this day Mother Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk (Kheer Sagar).
She brought with her wealth and prosperity for mankind. On that day,
Lakshmi Pooja was performed to honour Goddess Lakshmi. So from that
day in every year on Diwali, Hindus perform prayer and worship to
Goddess Lakshmi. Many people believe that Goddess Lakshmi visit the
homes of devotees on this day. Bhajans"-devotional songs in praise of
Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered
to the Goddess.
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