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About
Deepavali or Diwali is
the major Indian occasion which is celebrated whole heartedly in
Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. It is also called 'Festival of
Lights' as people illuminate candles, diyas on this day and
celebrate the victory of good over wicked powers. The day is
celebrated in throughout the world, where in nepal it is called
Tihar and Swanti. It falls in the months of October or November.
Diwali is also originated as the harvest day where it is considered
as the last harvest time of the year before the starting of winter
season. Businessmen close their accounts and starts their new
financial year. Therefore, Goddess Lakshmi, deity of wealth and
prosperity in the Hinduism, is thanked and people offer their
praying and wish to have a good year ahead.
In North India, the day marks the homecoming of Lord Ram to his
kingdom Ayodhya after the 14 years of exile. People of his kingdom
celebrated his home return by lightning thousands of diyas,
therefore the day has been named as 'Deepavali', which is again
shortened as 'Diwali'. In the southern part of the India, the day
has been associated with the victory of Lord Krishna and defeat of
demon Narakasura. The western people celebrate the day in the honor
of the King Bali who has been ordered by the deity Vishnu to rule
the nether world.
For the Jainism people, the day has been connoted with the nirvana
of Lord Mahavir, which took place on 15th October, 527 B.C. For the
Sikh community, the importance of the day has been increased when
their Guru Hargobind Ji, the 6th Guru, has been released from the
imprisonment with 52 Hindu Kings. Overall, the Diwali calls for the
worldwide celebration, with its shimmering beauty it is enjoyed by
most of the people, regardless of their faith and culture.
Mythological
Events Related to Festival
Home Return of Lord Ram- Deepavali celebrates the
home back of Lord Ram to his kingdom Ayodhya with his wife Sita and
brother Lakshmana after 14 years of exile. The day is also
celebrated as the victory of Lord Ram over the devil king Ravana. It
is a strong belief that the people of Ayodhya welcomed the Ram, Sita
and Lakshmana by illuminating the oil lamps. To reach the Ayodhya in
North India, Ram passed through the south India first and then paved
towards North India. Therefore the festival has been celebrated one
day earlier in the South India.
Narakasura Death- Two days before the Deepavali
festival, 'Naraka Chaturdasi' day is celebrated, which is related
with the killing of demon Narakasura by the Satyabhama, wife of Lord
Krishna. The incident took place in the Dwapar Yuga, where
Narakasura had created the fear in the hearts of people due to his
evil works. Narakasura death was possible only by his mother,
Satyabhama. Lord Krishna pretended to his wife, Satyabhama that
Narakasura had injured him therefore, she should killed him. At the
time of Narakasura death, he asked for a boon from the Satyabhama,
that his death will be celebrated by illuminating lamps.
Asceticism of Shakti- Skanda Purana says that the
deity Shakti wanted to get the Lord Shiva's half body so she made an
austerity or kedhara vrata for 21 days which got started from the
ashtami of shukla paksha. On the day of Diwali, Lord Shiva accepted
Shakti into his left body form, known as Ardhanarishvara. The period
of kedhara vrata got completed on the day of Diwali. The 21 days
have been celebrated by the ardent devotees and they make a kalasha,
consisting of the 21 threads around it and then they have 21
offerings for 35 days. The last day is called kedhara gauri vrata.
Celebrations
Diwali is celebrated with full zest and show. People light up their
places with diyas, candles and perform Lakshmi-Ganesha puja in
evening for seeking divine blessings. People give gifts to their
near and dear ones. Gifts can vary from sweets, jewelry, apparels,
kitchen appliances, books with lots of love. |
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