“Diwali” One of the most propitious festivals celebrated with great tenderness and vehemence by all religions in India and Nepal. Diwali is celebrated across the globe as “Festival of Light” and signifies victory of Light over Darkness where Darkness symbolizes Ignorance and Light symbolizes Comprehension.Many folklore are associated with Diwali. One of them depicts Lord Rama, Sita and Laxman returned to Ayodhya after 14-year of exile and populace of Ayodhya celebrated his return by rows of lighted oil lamps.
Diwali celebration time i.e. close to end of the year is also the last crop of the year and relatively wealthier quarter of the year for all rich and poor gives an opportunity to celebrate everybody and businessmen mark their year end with closure of accounts and begin their new accounting year by praying Goddess Laxmi who is deity of wealth.
Why name Diwali?
Diwali is factually altered form of Deepavali as Sanskrit word i.e. Deep+Avali where Deep means “Light” and Avali means “Row”. Lord Rama retuned to Ayodhya was celebrated with “Rows of Light” hence the name Deepavali.
Significance of Diwali
Ramayana elaborates this festival as triumphant victory of good over evil and the glory of light over darkness, a beam of hope over despair.
Diwali is celebrated over a period of five days and each days has its own significance from historic
Dhanvantari Trayodasi – Celebration of Diwali start from first day termed as Dhanvantari Trayodasi or Dhanteras. Dhanteras is celebrated in honour of Lord Dhanvantari who appeared during Sagar Manthan with Amrit Kalas and this is the major reason people purchase utensils on this day. It is also believed that any thing bought this day will get 13 times more valuable.
Narak Chaturdasi – Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated as notion of Lord Krishna defeating demon Narkasur and freeing 16,100 imprisoned women. This day remind us not to abuse our power and to conduit our strength for the greater benefit of mankind. Narak Chaturdashi also known as Karthik Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi, Roop Chaturdashi or Chhoti Deepavali.
Diwali – The day of Diwali is a ominous day and to make it auspicious people lighten up lamps and pray Godess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha. According to the Ramayana, the people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen lamps (diyas) to celebrate the return of their king, Lord Rama after he defeated the demon king Ravana who captured his wife Sita.
Govardhana Puja – Govardhan Puja marks worship of Cows. Hindus offer thanksgiving to cows and worship Lord Krishna with offerings of food arranged in the form of Govardhana, a hill in Vrindavana. It is a time for ceasefire and exoneration.
Bhaiya Duj - The fifth day of Diwali is called Bhaiya Duj and is dedicated to the relationship between a brother and a sister. It is a day when every brother takes time to visit the home of his sister and her family.
Celebration
The bravura Diwali celebrations are marked by multi-colored Rangoli designs, special pooja ceremonies, lines of lamps, floral decorations fireworks, exchange of sweets and gifts that lends sumptuousness to the occasion. Every home - lowly or mighty - the hut of the poor or the mansion of the rich - shines with the glow of twinkling diyas or candles to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Fireworks
Fireworks are one of the highlights of Diwali among all age groups and they enjoy grandeur and glitter of fireworks. Fireworks shops are installed at least a month before and even one month before Diwali we can hear sound and see sparkle of fireworks. Due to greater prominence by Government and other agencies towards noise and air pollution the amount of fireworks are getting less but enthusiasm is the same.
Bol Bachan:
Festivals are there to commemorate contentment and I wish you all the glee for Diwali. You may like to think about those beneath poverty line don’t have the dispensation of celebrating this Diwali as they might be on work when you are cracking your favorite firecrackers. Lets bring happiness to those I have decided to give away 10% of what I intend to spend on Firecrackers. What about you…
Badalenge Hum. Badalega India…
Keep Smiling. Spread Happiness…
Have a Happy and Astounding Diwali!!!
1 comment:
That was quiet a descriptive article on Deepavali(Diwali)and other celebrations that follows. Always known that Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama from exile(Banvas)but never thought of the real meaning of the word 'DEEPAVALI',but thnx to the writer for such a beautiful description of our very own festival which everyone celebrates irrespective of the age. Thnx
Post a Comment