Deepawali Festival

B L Handoo  

Martand

Diwali, or Deepavali, (also called Tihar and Swanti in Nepal) (Markiscarali) is a major Indian and Nepalese festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Light," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newer Buddhists.

According to one theory Diwali may have originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter. In an agrarian society this results in businessmen closing accounts, and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, goddess Lakshmi is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent.

In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of Lord Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile and that too after victory over Ravana the King of Lanka for the evils committed by him (Ravana) The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avail) of lamps (diyas), thus its name, Deepawali, or simply shortened as Diwali. Southern India marks it as the day of Lord Krishna who defeated the demon Narakasura. In western India it is also in honour of the day King Bali who went to rule the neither world by the order of Vishnu. (There is another festival Onam which is celebrated in Kerala around the month of August to mark this legend)

Diwali is celebrated on Kartik Aamawsi every year. In Jainism it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 BCE. The Sikhs celebrate Diwali for a different reason; on this day, the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment along with 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners) whom he had arranged to be released as well. after his. release he went to Darbar Sahib (golden temple) in the holy city of Amritsar. There, he was greeted by Sikhs and many other people. In happiness they lit candles and diyas to greet the Guru. In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith without any consideration of caste, creed or religion. Every One, rich or poor, young or old, celebrate the occasion with pomp and show and sends their joyful greetings to their friends and relatives.

The people also prepare sweet dishes and purchase sweets of different tastes and offer the same to Goddess Laxmi and later distribute it among the relatives, friends, neighbours etc as a token of "Prasad" of Mata Laxmi. The people also use different kinds of crackers up to late in the evening.

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The views expressed in the Article above are B L Handoo’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."

Courtesy: B L Handoo and The Martand- The Official organ of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference: 31st August, 2009