Diwali

Denoted with the names Diwali or Deepavali, this festival is famous as a festival of lights in India and rest countries populated by the Hindus. It is perhaps one of the most notable festivals which Hindus organize with keenness and by involving in the various activities from Rangoli decoration through color powder use to the lighting up of whole house besides distributing sweets to each other.

History

Diwali is a 5-day long festival beginning on the Dhanteras. It is celebrated on the 13th lunar day of dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha as per Hindu calendar’s Ashwin month. This festival ends on the Bhaubeej or 2nd lunar day of the bright fortnight or Shukla Paksha in the Hindu calendar’s Kartik month.

Usually Hindus and Jains observe Diwali festival in the Indian subcontinent and other countries specially Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Surinam, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji amongst others, this festival begins on the day of Dhanteras while ends on Bhau-beej. Date of celebration is usually on the basis of Hindu Lunisolar calendar. Usually Diwali falls on the months of October-November every year.

Celebrations

Hindus consider Diwali as one of the major festivals and do celebrate it with great zeal in almost all parts of the world. That is why it is called festival of lights. People start decorating their homes with lights and candles. They use fireworks as well to showcase their happy moments. Gifting each other and distributing the sweets are some of the key attractions of this festival. Observing the special prayer or religious rituals keep this festival apart with the Hindus engaging in the great fun moments.

Diwali lanterns are unique during this festival. The celebration remains incomplete without using the specially designed diyas or lights in almost all homes. Wonderful lighting for the whole night makes Diwali festival of lights. Special arrangement of lights in the night turn Diwali festival into a seething one.

All 5 days of the Diwali festival have their unique significance. Naraka Chaturdasi is the second day of the festival while 3rd day of Diwali is named Amavasya while all households organize the special Lakshmi Goddess worships. Likewise, 4th day of the festival denotes to Kartika Shudda Padyami and Yama Dvitiya or Bhai Dooj is the 5th day of this festival. It is an occasion while all sisters invite their brothers to home and seek for their wellbeing. It is indeed unique bonding through the festivity and of course appreciating human relationships in the context of Hindu religious faith.

Importance of Festival

Diwali has its importance in almost all parts of India and the countries where there is sizeable number of Hindu population. Being an important festival for the Hindus, Diwali is an occasion when governments of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Singapore, Malaysia, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Mauritius and Myanmar declare an official holiday.

This festival remains most important festival for Hindus worldwide. Hindus indeed wait for this festival keenly for the whole year and do ensure that their families must involve fully in the happy occasion. They also involve in several activities from the traditional ones and perform them together to enjoy best time in their homes. Followers of Jain religion mark the occasion of Diwali a crucial time while the Lord Mahavira would have been granted salvation or moksha on this day.

Likewise, those following the Arya Samaj celebrate the day of Diwali as the Death Anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati and do make this occasion a special one through Shardiya Nav-Shasyeshti celebration.

Lighting small clay lamps remain an important attraction during Diwali celebration. Such lamps are lighted with oil to offer unique feel. They are symbolic of winning of good over the bad or evil forces. The aim of lighting the houses on this occasion of Diwali festival is that goddess Lakshmi is welcomed with the happy feeling.

Bursting firecrackers remains the common scene during Diwali festival. It is often assumed that such activities drive away the evil spirits from Hindu homes. People usually wear the new cloths during Diwali festival. Other engagements during this occasion is distributing sweets or snacks and reunion of family members or friends.

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