Deepavali - The light festival - Reposting

Diwali - Sparkles joy and happiness

Diwali or Deepavali is popularly known to be the festival of lights that is traditionally celebrated all over the world in a grandeur manner by Hindus. It is the day the the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. This day has so many significances inbuilt with different myths to commemorate. It's an occasion for joyous celebration of a family, friends and relatives with exchange of sweets and delicacies among them,offerings to God and engaging in colourful fireworks. Some undergo five day celebration, while some a four day celebration and in southern part they do one day celebration. During these five days, Indian gold market and textile market raise high as people flood to market to purchase expensive textiles and jewellery which is a part of their celebration.

Actually let us look a galnce @

• Why Deepavali is celebrated? - The legends on Diwali
• How it is celebrated? Diwali or deepavali, being the festival of lights is celebrated all over the world as lighting the lamp of knowledge and victory of the good over the evils with different mode of their presentation, prayer and offerings to God. In India, the day starts with ganga snanam ( bathing in holy water), wearing new clothes, doing prayers and delicacy offerings to God and finally the family binds together blasting with crackers. But some parts of India celebrate Diwali in a unique manner as Moni Diwali, Maha Nisa, Danteras.
• Celebrations in India
• Celebrations among various religions
• Traditional functions in Temples
• Sloka to say on Diwali

Legends about Diwali

Krishna killing Narakasura :- According to Hindu mythology, there was a demon Narakaasura, the evil king of Pragjyotishapura, near present-day Assam. Power attained due to sincere meditation made the demon king arrogant and he became dangerous to his subjects and even to the Devas. He ruled with a reign of terror, abducted 16,000 daughters of the gods, and stole the earrings of Aditi, mother of the Gods. Narkasura was believed to be a demon of filth, covered in dirt. He was giant who was often good but at times, behaved very badly. He used to kidnap beautiful young women and force them to live with him. The Devas asked Lord Krishna for help, and after a mighty battle he killed the demon, freed the girls and recovered the earrings First, Krishna had to fight with a five-headed monster that guarded the demon's home. Krishna granted Narakasur one last request, because of the good deeds he had done. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to others. So, before being killed, he cried, " Let this day be celebrated as a day of feasting in the World!" Krishna granted his request and the women were freed. After his victory Krishna returned very early in the morning and was bathed and massaged with scented oils. Taking an early morning bath with oil is still a Deepavali tradition.For Hindus, this Diwali story is a reminder that good can defeat evil.

Lakshmi Puja :- It is also believed that Goddess Lakshmi manifested herself on the day when the demons and deities were churning the ocean together to find out the 'drink of immortality' - the divine honey. 

Goddess Lakshmi

 Thus Diwali festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Goddess of Wealth and thus doing Lakshmi puja came into existence.

Vamana avathar :- One more interesting Diwali legend is of King Bali. He was a generous ruler but also very ambitious. He performed a Yagna (fire sacrifice). His Yagna was a grand success. So Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf ( incarnated as Vamana) dressed as priest to check King Bali's power.


Vamana avatar and King Bali

When the priest reached King Bali's court, he asked him to ask for anything he wanted. The priest said "You are the ruler of the three worlds: the Earth, the world above the skies and the underworld. Would you give me the space that I could cover with three strides?" King Bali laughed. This request seemed strange to all the courtiers, but king Bali granted it. Surely a dwarf could not cover much ground, thought the King, who agreed to dwarf's request. Once the request was granted to him, the priest, who was none but Visnu in disguise, submerged the entire world (Mrityu-loka) with one step, with the second he submerged heaven (Swarga-loka) and for the third step; there was no respectable place to put his foot down and so he asked the bewildered Bali for some respectable place to this foot so that the boon could be fulfilled. Left with no alternative, the noble but exasperated King Bali offered his head for the purpose. To his surprise, the priest not only lost no time in placing his foot over King Bali's head, but also thrust Bali into the nether worlds (Patala-loka) which as per Hindu cosmogony is hell and lies below the surface of the earth.

Victory of King Rama :- The other legend is the celebration to comemorate the return of King Rama, the ancient idol of the heroic ages, the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king to Ayodhya after killing Ravana in Srilanka. Rama, . After ten days of fierce war with Ravana, the victorious Rama, Laxmana and Sita preapared to return to Ayodhya. There was joyous shouts of Victory to Rama, Veer Hanuman ki Jai - Victory to Hanuman. Gods from the Heaven poured flowers and garlands to celebrate and show their pleasure.

Govardhan Puja :- This festival is aso acommemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Lord Krishna. As per Vishnu-Puran the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honor of Lord Indra and worshiped him after the end of every monsoon season but one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. People were afraid that the downpour was a result of their neglect of Indra. But Krishna assured them that no harm would befall them. He lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger and sheltered men and beasts from the rain. This gave him the epithet Govardhandhari. After this, Indra ( Devendra) accepted the supremacy of Krishna.

Krishna lifting Govardhan mountain

Kali killing Demons :- It is a myth that on this day Kali Ma gave darshan along with 64 yoginees (saints) after killing  Shambhu and Nishambhu  - the demons. After slaughtering the demons her krodh or anger was not still extinguished. So she did a very fierceful dance that the earth faced a severe shake. To stop her from dancing, her pathi (husband) Lord shiva, himself laid under her feet. Once her feet fell on Him, she realised her and calmed down. This day also marks this legend.

Kali matha on Lord Shiva

Though the myths are different all end with the moral : "Victory of Good over Evil" .

Diwali in India

Diwali is celebrated as Moni Diwali, Dhanteras, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Govardhan Puja, Maha Nisa in a splendour way.

Moni Diwali

Its a belief in northern India that on the day of Diwali Goddess Lakshmi will stay at their house. So on new moon day of thula month (aippasi month in Tamil that comes in October last- November first week), they keep a deepam or diya(lantern) in prayer room that will be lit for 24 hrs. They collect the smoke due to that diya and use it as kajal for the year long. Such a occassion is considered to be Diwali.

Dhanteras

In Bihar, the celebration of Diwali starts two days before the actual Diwali as dhanteras, celebrated in honor of Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods. He is believed to have emerged with a pot of amrita (Divine Honey) during the samudra manthan. On this festival, new kitchen utensils are bought and kept at the place of worship. The buying of utensils, according to one theory, relates to the myth of Dhanvantari emerging from the ocean with a pot in his hand. People bathe early in the morning and observe a fast, which is broken only after sunset with sweetmeals, puri and other delicacies.

Songs in honor of the deities are sung and aarti is performed. Oil or ghee diyas are also lit. The gods are offered kheel, batashe and khilone and various sweetmeals. After the puja, the diyas are placed in and around the house: on the doorway, near the Tulasi plant, in the backyard, in every room and at the back and front gates. After this, crackers are burst, and people meet friends and neighbors to exchange good wishes and sweets.

In villages of Bihar, people worship Goddess Kali on this day. Eating unripe coconut and taking a beetle is considered auspicious. In chota nagpur, the men circumbulate their village with basket full of paddy and grass.

Maha Nisa

In West Bengal, it is Kali Puja which makes the festival unique. Kali is generally a goddess to be feared rather than venerated. Diwali is celebrated as 'Maha Nisa' with great enthusiasm and it is a time for gaiety and feasting. It is a myth that on this day Kali Ma gave darshan along with 64 yoginees (saints) after killing  Shambhu and Nishambhu  - the demons. The houses are decorated and lit with diyas. Two or even four plantain leaves decorate the entry to the house or property, with a row of diyas at the doorstep. The entire family gathers around for Lakshmi puja in the evening.

In Rajasthan

On Diwali day, house all over Rajasthan glow with twinkle of innumerable diyas, candles and electric lights.  Women of the neighborhood gather and prepare sweets like Mawa Kachori, Til Ke Laddo, Gonth ke Laddu, Piste ke Launj, Moti Pak, Pheeni, Sohan Papdi, Besan Barfi, Jalebi, and Shakarpara. The unique thing about this festival in Rajasthan is that people do prayer and offerings to cat as they believe that cat is a form of Goddess Lakshmi.

In Gujarat

In Gujarat, Diwali is the worship of Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi on this day emerges to bring prosperity to the world. The celebration lasts for five days, which starts with Dhanteras. The fourth day, or the day of Govardhan Puja is Gujrati's New Year's Day. Lakshmi is believed to visit the homes that are well lit. So, families decorate their houses with light, flowers and paper chains. Business comes to a halt on Dhanteras, two days before Diwali, and doesn't resume until Labh Pancham, the fifth day of the new year. For traders and businessmen, this is the time for a vacation.

Diwali - as by various religions

Diwali is a nocturnal celebration embraced by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains across the country.

Diwali by Jains

Jains celebrate Deepavali in the name of Paryusana Parva. The day is the jubilation to commemorate the salvation or Moksha attained by the founder and guru Lord Mahavira also called as Vardhamana at Khattiya-kundapura, near Vaishali. On the religious occasion of Diwali on Oct. 15, 527 BCE, in Pavapuri, Lord Mahavira received his enlightenment to spirituality or obtained Kevala Gyana on Vishakha Shukla 10 at the Jambhraka village on the banks of Rijukula river at the age of 42.

There are regular ceremonies in the temple and discourses of Kalpa Sutra (one of the sacred books) in the Upashraya during this time. On the third day of the Paryusana Parva the Kalpa Sutra receives a very special reverence and may be carried in the procession. On the fifth day, at a special ceremony, the auspicious dreams of Mahavira's mother, queen Trishala, are demonstrated. Listening to the Kalpa Sutra, taking active steps to prevent the animal killing, asking and offering forgiveness to all living beings, visiting the neighborhood temples, etc. are some of the important activities during this time.The final day of Paryusana is the most important of all. On this day those who have observed the fasts are specially honored. This is also the day when Jains ask for forgiveness to the family, friends and foes alike for any acts they might have committed towards them in the previous year. Therefore this annual occasion of the repentance and forgiveness is very important.

Diwali by Sikhs

Sikhs worship Diwali as the religious freedom for Sikhs and this is why Diwali is called the Light Festival. To commemorate the release of their sixth Guru Hargobind Ji from the captivity of Emperor Jahengir, Gwalior, Sikh Diwali is recalled throughout India and in many countries. It is believed that Guru's Mother was full of happiness that her son was released she ordered food and sweets and gave them to everyone. Also in 1577 the foundation stone of The Golden Temple was laid on Diwali. On this day, the worshippers float multi-coloured light candles on the water at the Golden Temple. The gurdwara, hold a grand fireworks display.

Diwali by Budhists

Buddhists especially Newar Buddhists celebrate Diwali in their quiet way. They chant the mantras and remember Emperor Ashoka who converted to Buddhism on this day. Hence the Buddhists also know the festival as Ashok Vijayadashami. Their temples and monasteries are well decorated during this time and the Buddha is worshiped with full honors.