Deepawali in India.

Introduction:

The most beautiful of all Indian festivals, Deepawali or Diwali is a celebration of lights. This

is one of the most popular festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the 15th of

‘Kartika’ (October / November). The houses are lit with rows of clay lamps and are decorated

with colours and candles. This feast is celebrated with new clothes, spectacular fireworks and

a variety of sweets in the company of family and friends. Deepawali has a deep meaning and

a very old tradition.

The concept:

It is a festival of lights that symbolizes the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual

darkness. The word 'Deepawali' literally means rows of ‘diyas’ (clay lamps). All this lighting

and fireworks, joy and festivity, mean the victory of good over evil, the victory of light over

the darkness. This principle also exists in other religions, including Christianity and therefore

it is a festival acceptable to other religions. In addition to Hinduism, Deepawali is part of

Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism, but they mark different events and stories. However, all

these symbolize the victory of light over darkness.

The origin of Deepawali

In northern India, Deepawali celebrates Lord Rama's return to his Ayodhya kingdom with

Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, after completing his 14-year exile.

In southern India, this festival commemorates the conquest of Narakaasur, a powerful king of

Assam, who had imprisoned thousands of inhabitants. It was Krishna who finally succeeded

in subduing Narakaasur and freeing the prisoners.

The legend of King Bali, the benevolent demon is linked to Deepawali in western India. His

great power had become a threat to the power of the heavenly deities. Lord Vishnu came as

the dwarf beggar Vamana, to dilute the power of Bali. Vishnu in disguise defeated King Bali

and pushed him into the underworld with his foot. In return, Vishnu gave him the lamp of

knowledge to illuminate the dark underworld. He also gave him the blessing that he would

return to his people once a year to light millions of lamps with this single lamp so that in the

light of the new moon of Diwali, the darkness of ignorance, greed, jealousy, lust, anger, ego

and laziness would be dissipated and the brilliance of knowledge, wisdom and friendship

would prevail.

The goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is

also worshiped on this day. In West Bengal, this festival is celebrated as 'Kali Puja'; and Kali,

Shiva's consort, is worshiped on the occasion of Diwali.

Cultural traditions.

This five-day festival begins with ‘Dhanteras’, which celebrates and welcomes good luck,

wealth and prosperity. In ‘Dhanteras’, people buy jewelry and utensils because any type of

metal is believed to ward off bad luck and bring wealth and prosperity. ‘Dhanteras’ is

followed by ‘Chhoti Diwali’. ‘Diwali’, ‘Govardhan Puja’ and finally ‘Bhai Beej’ which mark

the end of this festival.

Food also plays an essential role in Deepawali. From delicious sweets or delicious savories,

each family prepares a meal that is worth feeding a kingdom. Many people also present their

friends and family with sweets to wish them luck and prosperity for the next few days.

The colorful lanterns hanging above the houses during Diwali refer to the light of God ;

always bright and together with the 'diyas', they connect to the supreme light of God.
Colorful 'rangoli' drawings are made at the entrance to houses to welcome relatives, friends

and the goddess Lakshmi.

We must now refrain from the tradition of bursting rockets and fireworks on Diwali, because

of the increase in air pollution. We should aim to celebrate Diwali in an environmentally

friendly way and respect nature.

Conclusion

Deepawali is part of the diverse religious traditions of India. It is the festival celebrated by all

Hindu communities and some other religions on the planet, therefore it is an international

festival. Being the festival that has profound concepts that celebrate the high values of

humanity, it has all the elements of uniting the diverse communities of India and bringing

peace and harmony among the Indian people.