Diwali Festival: The Sanctimonious Occasion of Lights

                                                                                         

Diwali or Deepavali is celebrated with great gusto and enjoyment in India and many other countries around the world. The English word Diwali is actually the corruption of the vernacular word Deepavali which means an array of lamps. Hence, the festival of Diwali is quite correctly known as the festival of lights. As you might know, the Diwali festival is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama with his wife to the throne in Ayodhaya after a 14 year exile in the forests. People celebrated his return by lighting an array of lamps to celebrate his return.

The Diwali festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the Krishna Paksha of the auspicious Hindu month of Kartik. This coincides with the month of October/November every year. Diwali 2009 is being celebrated on Saturday, 17th October. Another quick reckoner is that Diwali falls 20 days after the festival of Dussehra, also known as Vijaya Dashami.

A lot of excitement precludes Diwali. Children especially look forward to the Diwali festival with enthusiasm. Parents and elders celebrate Diwali with the usual traditional fervour and religious passion. Just as previous Diwali festivities, it is expected that Diwali 2009 will usher in the same levels of excitement and enthusiasm too.

Actually, the Diwali festival spreads over 5 days of worship and festivities. The first day of the Diwali festivities begin with Dhanteras, which falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. This day is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari - the physician of the Gods. This day mark the commencement of the Diwali festivities.

The second day is called Chhoti Diwal or Narak Chaturdasi. On this day, lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and relieved the world from the burden of fear. On the third day, Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth is worshiped for divine wealth and prosperity. This worship typically means the victory of good over evil and also means the conquest of light over darkness.

The fourth day is venerated as the day of worship of Lord Govardhan, and Govardhan Puja is performed on this day. Some parts of India such as Gujarat celebrate the fifth day fourth day of Diwali as New Year day. The fifth day of Diwali is called Bhai Dooj, which is a day dedicated to sisters. Lord Yama granted a boon to his sister Yamuna on this day that who so ever would visit her on this day would be liberated from all sins. They will attain Moksha or final emancipation. On this day, brothers visit their sisters on this day while sisters pray for their brother’s welfare and well-being.

On the day of the actual Diwali festival, people gather outside their houses after the small puja formality and burst firecrackers. The bursting of firecrackers goes on till late in the night. Parents and elders also distribute sweets amongst each other and in the neighbourhood and also mark this occasion by lighting lamps. On the whole, the Diwali festival is observed with piety which is followed by a lot of gaiety, merriment, and enjoyment.

Diwali is therefore a day for prayer and delight too; people all over India and the rest of the world worship the Lord and also celebrate his return to the throne too. We all expect that Diwali 2009 brings good tidings and news of happiness and joy to one and all.

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