November 10, 2007

Delicate lamps of oil are lit, their flames swaying gently, twinkling like a galaxy of stars. People in vividly coloured clothes dance and feast and ‘ooh and aah’ in delight at the splash of fireworks against the canopy of the ink-blue sky. One will see this five-day celebration at the end of Hindu month of Kartika (purminata) or Ashwayuja coming exactly twenty days after Dussehra, occurring usually in October/ November.

Yes, it ‘is’ the festival of Diwali -- the most popular and eagerly awaited celebration by over one billion Hindus, Jains and Sikhs worldwide. It is deemed as a celebration of life and is used as an auspicious occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. According to certain Hindu calendars it is the beginning of the year.

Origin of Diwali

The festival marks the victory of good over evil. One popular Hindu version of Diwali’s origin is to mark the time when Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. It is also viewed as the day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura or in honour of the day Bali went to rule the nether-world, obeying the order of Vishnu. Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali. It is the day Lord Krishna defeated Indra, the deity of thunder and rain.

In Jainism it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527BC. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith. However, in India, so popular and colourful is the fete that Diwali has crossed the boundary of a religious celebration and is now considered to be more of a national festival, the aesthetic aspect of the festival being enjoyed by most Indians regardless of their faith.

Symbols of Diwali

Known as the “Festival of Lights”, and lamps (called diyas or kandils) — the lamps symbolise hope for humankind. The lights also represent the time when Rama came back from the forest, and the people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) lit lamps to welcome him back home. Diwali is a colloquial name used in North India, while the festival is formally called Deepavali in South India.

The Sanskrit word Deepavali means an array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. Thus, Diwali is a time resplendent with lights and lamps, particularly traditional dipa or deeya (earthen lamps). Fireworks are also associated with the festival. To add to the festival of Diwali, fairs (or melas) are held throughout India.

While Deepavali is popularly known as the “festival of lights”, the most significant esoteric meaning is “the awareness of the inner light”.

Central to Hindu philosophy, is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this Inner Light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness. Thus Deepavali is celebrated through festive fireworks, shimmering lights, fragrant flowers, sharing sweets, and worship.

Five-day celebration

Day one: the first day is Dhan-trayodashi where Dhan means “wealth” and Trayodashi means “13th day”. Thus, this day falls on the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month. It is an auspicious day for shopping.

Day two: Chaturdasi is the fourteenth day on which demon Narakasura was killed. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Hindus wake up way before dawn as early as 2:00 in the morning, have a fragrant oil bath and wear new clothes. It is believed that taking a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still visible in the sky is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy Ganges. They light small lamps all around the house and draw elaborate kolams /rangolis outside their homes. They perform a special puja with offerings to Lord Sri Krishna or Lord Sri Vishnu. This may be followed by elaborate feasting. In the evening, lamps are again lit and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and offered special dishes.

Day three: The actual day of Diwali, is celebrated on the third day of the festival, when the moon completely wanes and total darkness sets in the night sky.

Day four: Govardhan Puja is celebrated as the day Krishna defeated Indra. For Annakut a mountain of food is decorated symbolising Govardhan Mountain lifted by Lord Krishna.

Day five: Bhayiduj is the day when brothers and sisters meet to express their love and affection for each other.