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Zemira Eli Natan
Executive Director
International Unity for Freedom and Equality |
Of all the festivals of India the light of Diwali illuminates as the lights of the Chanukiya on the Jewish festival of lights known as Chanukah. But the essence of Diwali captures my heart and continues to flow in Divine light from my soul. The festival falls usually in the months of October or November. This year its last days will be celebrated during my own birthday. I could not hope for a more happier occasion and experience.
The Diwali festival is celebrated across India, but in the
southern part of the country, it is more commonly known by its original
Sanskrit name Deepavali. Northern and Southern India celebrate this festival at
different times, since they follow different calendars. It typically occurs in
October or November on "Amavasya," or the new moon when the sky is
dark.
In northern India, Diwali coincides with the last day of
the Vikram calendar, making it similar to the American celebration of New
Year's Eve. In the south, the festival commemorates the day when the god
Krishna helped conquer the Assam King Asura Naraka, who had imprisoned or
enslaved tens of thousands of people.
During Diwali, Hindus worship and offer thanks to the
goddess, who is a symbol of goodness and prosperity. In the Hindu culture,
darkness is linked to ignorance, and light is associated with prosperity, so
Diwali celebrates the victory of prosperity over ignorance. The festival lasts
for five days, with the third day being most prominent.
Diwali is important in the Hindu religion because it
celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
Before Diwali night, people clean,
renovate and decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, Hindus dress up in
new clothes or their best outfit, light up
divas (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in
family puja (prayers) typically to Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth and
prosperity. After puja,
fireworks follow, then a family feast including mithai (sweets), and an exchange of gifts between
family members and close friends. Diwali also marks a major shopping period in
nations where it is celebrated.
On the same night that Hindus celebrate Diwali, Jains celebrate a festival of
lights to mark the attainment of moksha by
Mahavira and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor
Divas. Diwali is an official holiday in Nepal, India Sri Lanka, Myanmar,Mauritus , Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji and Pakistan.
Diwali is derived
from the Sanskrit fusion word Dīpāvali,
formed from dīpa (दीप, "light"
or "lamp and āvalī(आवली, "series, line, row Dīpāvali or Deepavali thus meant a "row" or
"series of lights". Its
celebration include millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and
windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries
where it is observed Diwali (English pronunciation: /dɨˈwɑːliː/) is variously named and
spelled/pronounced in diverse languages of India: 'deepabali' (Odia: ଦିପାବଲି), 'deepaboli' (Bengali: দীপাবলী), 'deepavali' (Assamese: দীপাৱলী, Kannada: ದೀಪಾವಳಿ,Malayalam: ദീപാവലി, Tamil: தீபாவளி and Telugu: దీపావళి), 'divali' (Gujarati: દિવાળી, Hindi: दिवाली,Marathi:दिवाळी,Konkani: दिवाळी, Punjabi: ਦੀਵਾਲੀ), 'diyari' (Sindhi: दियारी), and 'tihar' (Nepali: तिहार).
Diwali dates back to ancient times in India, as a festival after the
summer harvest in the Hindu calendar month ofKartika. The festival is mentioned in Sanskrit scriptures
such as the Padma Purana,
the Skanda Purana both
completed in second half of 1st millennium AD but believed to have been
expanded from a core text from an earlier era. The diyas (lamps)
are mentioned in Skanda Purana to symbolically represent parts of sun, the
cosmic giver of light and energy to all life, who seasonally transitions in the
Hindu calendar month of Kartik. Hindus in some regions of India associate
Diwali with the legend of Yama and Nachiketa on Kartika amavasya (Diwali
night).[23] The Nachiketa story about right versus wrong,
transient wealth versus true wealth, ignorance versus knowledge is recorded
in Katha Upanishad composed
in 1st millennium BC.
King Harsha in the 7th century Sanskrit play Nagananda mentions Diwali as Deepapratipadutsava,
where lamps were lit and newly engaged brides and grooms were given
gifts. Rajasekhara referred
to Diwali as Dipamalika in his 9th century Kavyamimamsa,
wherein he mentions the tradition of homes being whitewashed and oil lamps
decorating homes, streets and markets in the night.[25] The Persian traveller and historian Al Biruni, in his
11th century memoir on India, wrote Diwali being celebrated by Hindus on New
Moon day of the month of Kartika.
Diwali is one of the happiest holidays in Nepal and India with
significant preparations. People clean their homes and decorate them for the
festivities. Diwali is one of the biggest shopping seasons in Nepal and
India; people buy new clothes for themselves and their families, as well as
gifts, appliances, kitchen utensils, even expensive items such as cars and gold
jewelry People also buy gifts for family members and friends which
typically include sweets, dry fruits, and seasonal specialties depending on
regional harvest and customs. It is also the period when children hear ancient
stories, legends, myths about battles between good and evil or light and
darkness from their parents and elders. Girls and women go shopping and create
rangoli and other creative patterns on floors, near doors and walkways. Youth
and adults alike help with lighting and preparing for patakhe (fireworks)
There is significant variation in regional practices and rituals. Depending on
the region, prayers are offered before one or more deities, with most common
being Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth and prosperity. On Diwali night,
fireworks light up the neighborhood skies. Later, family members and invited
friends celebrate the night over food and sweets.
Spiritual
significance
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs to mark different
historical events, stories or myths but they all symbolise the victory of light
over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, hope over despair.
The Yoga, Vedanta, and Samkhva schools of Hindu Philosophy share the belief that there is something
beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called
the Atman. The
celebration of Diwali as the "victory of good over evil" refers to
the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance, the ignorance that
masks one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging,
infinite, immanent andtranscendant reality.
With this awakening comes compassion and the awareness of the oneness of all
things, and knowledge overcomes ignorance. Diwali is the celebration of this
inner light over spiritual darkness, knowledge over ignorance, right over
wrong, good over evil.
In the present day Hindus are facing a kind of darkness that threatens
their very lives. They share this in
common with Israel who celebrate a Festival of Lights called Chanukah. Chanukah means Dedication in the Hebrew
language. It is as significant as Diwali
as it celebrates victory of light over darkness and victory of the weak over
the strong. The light continues to
illuminate.
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| Sri Lakshmi |
Hinduism
Diwali is celebrated in the honour of Lakshmi, the goddess of Spiritual
Wealth and Prosperity
The
religious significance of Diwali varies regionally within India, depending on
the school of Hindu philosophy, regional myths, legends, and beliefs.
Many
see Diwali honouring the return of the god Rama, his wife Sita and
his brother Lakshmana from exile of 14 years, as told in the ancient
Hindu epic Ramayana To some, Diwali marks the return of Pandavas after
12 years of Vanvas and one year of agyatavas in the other ancient
Hindu epicMahabharata. Many other Hindus believe Diwali is linked to the
celebration of Lakshmi the goddess of spiritual wealth and prosperity, and
wife of the god Vishnu. The five day festival of Diwali begins on the day
Lakshmi was born from the churning of cosmic ocean of milk by the gods and
the demons; the night of Diwali is the day Lakshmi chose Vishnu as her husband
and then married him. Along with Lakshmi, devotees make offerings to Ganesha
who symbolizes ethical beginnings and fearless remover of obstacles; Saraswati who
symbolizes music, literature and learning; and Kubera who symbolizes
book keeping, treasury and wealth management. Other Hindus believe that Diwali
is the day Vishnu came back to Lakshmi and their abode in the Vaikuntha.
so those who worship Lakshmi receive the benefit of her good mood, and
therefore are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being during the
year ahead. Hindus in India's eastern region, such as Odisha and West
Bengal, worship the goddess Kali instead of Lakshmi, and call the
festival In India's Braj and north central regions, the god Krishna is
recognized. People mark Mount Govardhan, and celebrate legends about
Krishna. In other regions, the feast ofGovardhan Puja (or Annakoot) is
celebrated, with 56 or 108 different cuisines prepared, offered to Krishna,
then shared and celebrated by the local community.
In
West and certain Northern parts of India, the festival of Diwali marks the
start of a new Hindu year.
Sikhism
Diwali for
Sikhs marks the Bandi Chhor Divas, when Guru Har Gobind freed himself and Hindu Kings,
from Fort Gwalior, from the prison of the Mughal emperor,Jahangir , and arrived
at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Ever since then, Sikhs celebrate Bandi
Choorh Divas, with the annual lighting up of Golden Temple, fireworks
and other festivities.
Jainism
Diwali has
special significance in Jainism. Mavira, the last of the Tirthankur of this era, attained Nirvana on this day at Pavapuri on 15 October 527 BCE, on
Chaturdashi of Kartika. According to the Kalpasutra by Achar, 3rd century BC, many gods were
present there, illuminating the darknessTherefore, Jains celebrate Diwali as a
day of remembering Mahavira.
Diwali
is a five-day festival in many regions of India, with Diwali night centering on
the new moon – the darkest night – at the end of the Hindu lunar month of
Ashvin and the start of the month of Kartika. In the Common Era
calendar, Diwali typically falls towards the end of October, or first half of
November each year. The darkest night of autumn lit with diyas, candles and
lanterns, makes the festival of lights particularly memorable. Diwali is
also a festival of sounds and sights with fireworks and rangoli designs;
the festival is a major celebration of flavors with feasts and numerous mithai
(sweets, desserts), as well as a festival of emotions where Diwali
ritually brings family and friends together every year.
Rituals
and preparations for Diwali begin days or weeks in advance. The festival
formally begins two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days thereafter.
Each day has the following rituals and significance:
On Dhanteras, diya lights are left burning all
night.
Dhanteras
Dhanteras
starts off the five day festival. Starting days before and through Dhanteras,
houses and business premises are cleaned, renovated and decorated. Women and
children decorate entrances with Rangoli – creative colourful floor designs
both inside and in the walkways of their homes or offices. Boys and men get
busy with external lighting arrangements and completing all renovation work in
progress. For some, the day celebrates the churning of cosmic ocean of milk
between the forces of good and forces of evil; this day marks the birthday of
Lakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari
– the God of Health and Healing. On the night of Dhanteras, diyas (lamps) are
ritually kept burning all through the nights in honor of Lakshmi and DhanvantariDhanteras
is also a major shopping day, particularly for gold or silver articles.
Merchants, traders and retailers stock up, put articles on sale, and prepare
for this day. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening. Some people
decorate their shops, work place or items symbolizing their source of
sustenance and prosperity.
Naraka Chaturdasi
Narak
Chaturdasi is the second day of festivities, and is
also called Choti Diwali. Typically, house decoration and colourful
floor patterns called rangoli are made on or before Narak Chaturdasi.
Special bathing rituals such as a fragrant oil bath are held in some regions,
followed by minor pujas. Women decorate their hands with henna designs.
Families are also busy preparing homemade sweets for main Diwali.
Lakshmi Puja
The
third day is the main festive day. People wear new clothes or their best
outfits as the evening approaches. Then diyas are lit, pujas
are offered to Lakshmi and to one or more additional deities depending on
the region of India; typically Ganesha, Saraswati , and Kubera Lakshmi
symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year
ahead.
Lakshmi
is believed to roam the earth on Diwali night. On the evening of Diwali, people
open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place diya lights
on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her in. On this day, the
mothers who work hard all year, are recognized by the family and she is seen to
embody a part of Lakshmi, the good fortune and prosperity of the
household Small earthenware lamps filled with oil are lighted and placed
in rows by some Hindus along the parapets of temples and houses. Some set diyas adrift
on rivers and streams. Important relationships and friendships are also
recognized during the day, by visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts
and sweets.
After
the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks).
The children enjoy sparklers and variety of small fireworks, while
adults enjoy playing with ground chakra, Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar),sutli
bomb , rockets and bigger fireworks .The fireworks signify celebration of
Diwali as well a way to chase away evil spirits After fireworks, people
head back to a family feast, conversations and mithai (sweets, desserts)
.
Padwa, Balipratipada
The
day after Diwali, is celebrated as Padwa. This day ritually celebrates the love
and mutual devotion between the wife and husband. The husbands
give thoughtful gifts, or elaborate ones to respective spouses. In many
regions, newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special
meals. Sometimes brothers go and pick up their sisters from their in-laws home
for this important day. The day is also a special day for the married couple,
in a manner similar to anniversaries elsewhere in the world. The day after
Diwali devotees perform Goverdhan puja in honor of Lord Krishna.
Diwali
also marks the beginning of new year, in some parts of India, where the
Hindu Vikram Samvat calendar is popular.
Merchants and shopkeepers close out their old year, and start a new fiscal year
with blessings from Lakshmi and other deities.
The
last day of festival is called Bhai dooj (Brother’s second) or Bhai tika in
Nepal, where it is the major day of the festival. It celebrates the
sister-brother loving relationship, in a spirit similar to Raksha Bandhan but
with different rituals. The day ritually emphasizes the love and lifelong bond
between siblings. It is a day when women and girls get together, perform a puja
with prayers for the well being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of
food-sharing, gift-giving and conversations. In historic times, this was a day
in autumn when brothers would travel to meet their sisters, or bring over their
sister’s family to their village homes to celebrate their sister-brother bond
with the bounty of seasonal harvests.
Festival of peace
On
this festive occasion, Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities also mark charitable
causes, kindness, and for peace. For example, at the international border,
every year on Diwali, Indian forces approach Pakistani forces and offer
traditional Indian sweets on the occasion of Diwali. The Pakistani soldiers
anticipating the gesture, return the goodwill with an assortment of Pakistani
sweets.
