Deepavali signifies the good over evil and renewal of life

By P. Krishnaswamy

Hindus of Sri Lanka, India and many countries where they live or expatriates are celebrating Deepavali (literally “a row of lamps”) also known as Diwali in many parts of India other than in Tamil Nadu, next Wednesday.

Perhaps it is the most important and ancient of the Hindu festivals. It’s an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji. It is also known as “The Festival of Lights” and although it is not a practice in Sri Lanka in many parts of India families light small oil lamps (diyas) and candles around the home before setting off firecrackers and fireworks.

The people of the North and East would be celebrating the festival in their own homes this time and in an atmosphere of peace and delight after nearly three decades of uncertainty and turbulence.

For the children the major excitement on Deepavali Day is bursting crackers. They light sparklers, rockets, ground chakkars and a variety of other crackers.

Preparations

Deepavali is a festival which every Hindu longs for every year. The preparations for Deepavali start long before the festival date. The Hindus in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu rejoice on that day all family members meeting in one place, paying respect to elders and sharing moments of delight and kinship.

The festival begins with everyone bathing after applying gingerly oil on the body, which called gangasnan, placing new clothes and sweetmeats in front of lithographs of deities with lighted oil lamps also placed, wearing the cloths, paying respect to the elders and getting their blessings. Thereafter they go to the temple for worship, mostly to the Maha Vishnu temple. Then they visit other relatives in close proximity.

Deepavali is the brightest festival to be celebrated among Hindus. The delicious food associated with the feast with family members and relatives assembled in one place makes it memorable every year.

Historically, the origin of Deepavali (or Diwali) can be traced to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of ‘Deepavali.’ Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu.

In Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day. In Jainism Deepavali has an added significance to the great event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss of Nirvana.

Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord along with Sita and Lakshman from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.

Belief

Another legendary belief is that it was to celebrate the day on which Lord Krishna vanquished the vilest and formidable demon Naga Asura. Another legendary says that it was on that day that Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the tyrant Bali, and banished him to hell.

Bali was allowed to return to earth once a year, to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance, and spread the radiance of love and wisdom. But generally, Deepavali signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and renewal of life.

In some parts people also start new ventures on this day after performing Lakshmi Puja. This is marked by lighting lamps, candles and diyas by the womenfolk in the family. The light and colour add to the celebrations. But generally, it is the day to worship light and dispelling darkness from the mind.

Deepavali is associated with wealth and prosperity in many ways.

Festival

In the Northern parts of India, the festival is celebrated for five days, Usually the festival takes place at the new moon on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik or Karthika (October/November). This is at the beginning of the winter season and is called the “darkest night of the year”, so lamps are lit to brighten this moonless night.

Although a Hindu festival, Diwali is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains.