When we talk about Indians and their Festivals, we take it way too seriously. May it be any festival, a small one or a bigger one, Indians give each festival huge importance. Amongst these festivals, a very popular one is called Diwali. Despite being a multi- religion country, Diwali is celebrated all across the country. It is the most lit up and happy time of the year. Everyone makes Rangoli at their homes and everybody lights lamps and oil diyas at their places too. Another thing that people do not miss out on is bursting crackers, though caring about nature, now its reduced down. But a lot of us do this and yet do not know the significance behind all this.
Diwali is also known as the Festival Of Lights. Another common name used for that is Deepawali, it basically consists of two words which are Deep which means Light and the word awali which means A Row. Hence, it means A Row Of Lights.
This year Diwali is coming on the 7th of November, 2018. Every year, Diwali is marked according to the Hindu calendar, and the date is different every year. It fall on the fifteenth day of Kartik every year, which is the reason it varies.
Origin
Diwali has a long history and it originally comes from ancient India. A lot of people believe that this festival is significance of Lord Vishnu marrying the Goddess of Wealth which is Goddess Lakshmi. While others believe that this is a festival of Goddess Lakshmi’s birthday.
It is celebrated at different places in different ways too, for example in West Bengal it is celebrated by worshipping Goddess Durga. Also, Lord Ganesha is worshipped that day, since it is considered auspicious. In Jainism, Diwali has an additional significance by marking the event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss of nirvana.
Diwali is also marked as an important day as Lord Rama came back home from exile after 14 years after vanquishing the demon King Ravana. The people of Ayodhya while marking the coming back of their king, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas and also bursted firecrackers.
Four Major Days Of Diwali
Every of these four days have its own significance and a story behind it!
The first day of the festival is Naraka Chaturdasimarks, this day is marked as the vanquishing of Demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his beloved wife Satyabhama.
The second day is called Amavasya, which is marked as the day of worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, when she is at her most benign mood, fulfilling the wishes of devotees. This day also represents Lord Vishnu who vanquished the tyrant Bali by taking a Dwarf incarnation. Bali was banished to hell, he is allowed to return to earth only once a year to light millions of lamps and remove darkness and ignorance by spreading the glitter of love and wisdom.
The third day, is called Shudda Padyami, this is the day when Bali comes to earth and rules the earth because of the boon given by Lord Vishnu.
The Fourth Day, is called Bhai Dooj, on this day all sisters invite their brothers to their homes and a custom of eating sweets and tilak is done.
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Dhanteras: Tradition of Gambling
Dhanteras is a meaning of two different words, the first one is Dhan which means money and the second word means Teras which means Thirteenth. This day of wealth and prosperity occurs two days before Diwali. The tradition of gambling also has story or a tale behind it. This is a day of wealth that occurs two days before Diwali or the Festival of Lights. It is said that Goddess Parvati on this day played dice with Lord Shiva and thats how comes the tradition of Gambling. Its said that Goddess Parvati blesses the one with wealth throughout the year to the ones who gamble that night for auspiciousness.
Significance Of Burning crackers and Putting Up Lights
All the simple rituals that we all do on Diwali have a story behind them. All homes are illuminated with lights and people burn a lot of firecrackers. So burning firecrackers is considered to be paying respect to the heaven for attainment of health, wealth, prosperity, peace and knowledge.
It is said that the sound of the firecrackers make the Gods aware about the fact that people on earth are happy. In the modern times, it is said that after burning a lot of firecrackers, all the mosquitos, which are in plenty after rainy season.
Spiritual Significance
Beyond the lights, gambling and fun, Diwali is also a time to reflect on life and make changes for the upcoming year. With that, there are a number of customs that are celebrated happily each year.
Diwali is that time of the year where all the people forget all the past fumes and give a new star by accepting each other. It is said to be a common practice on Diwali. There is just happiness, friendliness in this festive season.
Diwali is a unifying event, and it can soften even the hardest of hearts. It is a time when people mingle about in joy and embrace one another.
In all legends and myths, Deepawali is said to be the day of victory of Good over the Evil. The light on that day empowers us to commit ourselves good deeds and it also brings us closer to divinity.
During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India, and the scent of incense sticks hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of firecrackers, joy, togetherness, and hope.
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