Diwali is the festival of cultural, religious and spiritual significance (means the awareness and celebration of the inner light) for Hindus. According to the Hindu mythology it is believed that there is something which is pure, never-ending, unchanging and eternal beyond our physical body as well as mind called Atman. People celebrate Diwali to enjoy the triumph of truth over the sin.
Diwali or Deepawali is said to be the day when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after an exile of 14 years. The entire town was lit with diyas to welcome them. The occasion is celebrated until today.
It is celebrated by the Jain religion regarding the achievement of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in the 527 BCE and by the Arya Samajists regarding the Death Anniversary of the Swami Dayanand Saraswati or day as Shardiya Nav-Shasyeshti.
It is also celebrated as the Naraka Chaturdashi (one day before Diwali) means the day to commemorate the victory over the evil demon Narakasura. The demon was killed by the Krishna or his wife Satyabhama during the Dwapara yuga.
It is also celebrated as the homecoming of the Pandavas after 12 years of exile as well as one year of agyatavas (means living secretly).
According to the Hindu calendar the Marwari New Year is also celebrated on Diwali (last day of Krishna Paksha of Ashvin).
Gujarati also celebrated their new year a day after the festival of Diwali according to the Lunar calendar (1st day of Shukla paksha of the month of Kartik).
Using firecrackers and lights by the people at the festival of Diwali has another significance and story. People use firecrackers in the myth attaining good health, wealth, wisdom, peace, prosperity for the whole year. Another ritual of using firecrackers is, the high range sound of the firecrackers indicate the real joy of people on the earth. The smokes from the crackers can kill a lot of insects after the rainy season as well.
The custom of gambling at Diwali has other significance. People believe that at this day Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva had played dice. People play this game as well at Diwali night in the myth of getting prospers throughout the year.
Diwali is most celebrated festival of India. The festival of Diwali has variety of significance according to the Indian regions and religions. Indian people who live in different regions celebrate Diwali according to their own culture, ritual and significance. It is the main festival of India as Indian people are very religious, cultural, spiritual and traditional. According to the Hindu Mythology, variety of cultural and religious beliefs of Indian people has created a lot of fairs and festivals.
Diwali is of great significance festival in India as all the stories of Hindu God and legends related o this festival are only associated with India. All the legends of Diwali festival, such as the story of Rama and Sita, story of Mahavira, story of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, story of demon Narakasura, story of Lord Krishna, story of Pandavas, story of Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesh, Story of Lord Vishnu, Story of Vikramaditya, story of Sikh Guru Hargobind Ji and many more, are associated only with India. That’s why the festival of Diwali is significantly celebrated in India.
As Indian people are very religious and spiritual, they consider that lighting lamps at all places on Diwali would remove bad energy and attract good energy. They make great sound by firing crackers in order to remove away the evil from the society. They make rangolis, use door hangings, worship Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesh to welcome the blessings, wisdom and wealth to their home and mind. The origin and history of the festival of Diwali is related to the India. They clean up and whitewash their homes, offices and other working places to welcome the pure spirit, prosperity and blessings of Goddess for the whole year.
Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil. It is the Hindu ritual that lighting clay diyas with mustard oil on Diwali. Sweets and gifts are distributed at this day in order to remove the enmity and increase the love and friendliness among people. It is celebrated all over India as well as outside India by the people of different religions such as Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.
Written By,
Freelance Content/Writer,
Ivan Edwin Pen Name--Maximus.
