A to Z challenge 2016
Festivals of India
D for DEEPAWALI or DIWALI
DEEPAWALI
As already stated in my last post, Oct
– Nov (“Ashwin” month of Hindu calendar) marks the festive period for
India which entails festivals starting from Navratra to Diwali in most part of
the subcontinent. Additionally it extends up to Kartik Purnima in some selected
parts.
So today we would talk
about Deepawali which falls on 15th day of Kartik
month, an Amawasya (no moon night).
Deepawali or Diwali, is the festival
of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness.
The word 'Deepawali' literally means rows of diyas or deeps (clay lamps). This
is one of the most popular festivals in Hindus. The festival is celebrated with
equal zest amongst other religions in the country as well.
Mythological Reference:
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus,
Jains, and Sikhs and some Buddhists to mark different historical events,
stories or myths but they all symbolise the victory of light over darkness,
knowledge over ignorance, good over evil & hope over despair. On the same
night that Hindus celebrate Diwali, Jains celebrate a festival of lights to mark the attainment of moksha by Mahavira,, Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas and some Newar Buddhists also celebrate Diwali remembering
Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism.
Hinduism:
Most
commonly it is believed that Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother
Laksmana, returned from exile of 14 years after defeating Ravana. The day of
this victory is celebrated as Vijaydashmi
or Dussehra (Will be Detailed separately in V). And his reaching to Ayodhya is celebrated as Deepawali. It’s believed that to honour their return from Lanka and to illuminate their path,
villagers lighted Diyas to celebrate the triumph of good over
evil.
Furthermore, Deepavali is also linked
to the celebration of Lakshmi, who is venerated as the goddess of wealth and prosperity and
is the wife of Lord Vishnu. The festival spreads over 5-day and begins on the day Goddess
Lakshmi was born from the churning
of cosmic ocean of milk by the gods and the
demons; while the night of Diwali is the day Lakshmi chose Vishnu as her
husband and they were married. Along
with Lakshmi, devotees make offerings to Ganesha, who symbolizes ethical beginnings and
fearless remover of obstacles; Saraswati, who embodies music, literature and
learning and Kubera, who symbolizes book-keeping, treasury
and wealth management.
 |
| Diwali Puja |
Main Celebration :
The most beautiful of all Indian festivals, Diwali is a
celebration of lights. The festival
preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day period, but the main
festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the
Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika. Before Diwali the
whole house / office is cleaned, renovated and decorated. Streets are
illuminated with rows of lights. Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best
outfits and light up diyas inside and outside their homes. Walkways and
entrance are decorated with Rangoli (designs of colours on floor). All family
members participate in
family puja (prayers). Prayer is devoted to Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the
symbol of wealth and prosperity. (In West Bengal, Odissa & NE, this
festival is celebrated as Kali
Puja, and Kali, Shiva's consort, is worshipped on the occasion of Diwali.) After puja,
fireworks follow, then a family
feast including mithai (sweets), and an exchange
of gifts between family members and close friends.
 |
| A typical Road Decoration in Patna that continues till Chhatha |
 |
| Rangoli Designing by kids |
Detailed Description and rituals
Day
1 - Dhanteras
Dhanteras (celebrated in Northern and
Western part of India) starts off the five day festival. Starting days before
and through Dhanteras, houses and business premises are cleaned, renovated and
decorated. Women and children decorate entrances with Rangoli – creative
colourful floor designs both inside and in the walkways of their homes or
offices. Boys and men get busy with external lighting arrangements and
completing all renovation work in progress. For some, the day celebrates the
churning of cosmic ocean of milk between the forces of good and forces of evil;
this day marks the birthday of Lakshmi
– the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari – the God of Health and
Healing. On the night of Dhanteras, diyas (lamps) are ritually kept burning all
through the nights in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.
Dhanteras is also a major shopping
day, particularly for gold or silver articles. Merchants, traders and retailers
stock up, put articles on sale, and prepare for this day. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening. Some people decorate their shops,
work place or items symbolizing their source of sustenance and prosperity.
 |
| Utensil Buying on Dhanteras |
 |
| Jewellery buying on Dhanteras |
Day
2 - Naraka Chaturdasi
Narak Chaturdasi is the second day of festivities, and
is also called Chhoti Diwali. As per the Hindu literature
the asura (demon) Narakasura was killed
on this day by Krishna, Satyabhama and Kali. The day is celebrated by early
morning religious rituals and festivities followed on. Special bathing rituals
such as a fragrant oil bath are held in some regions, followed by minor pujas.
Women decorate their hands with henna designs. Families are also busy preparing
homemade sweets for main Diwali.
Day
3 - Lakshmi Puja (Diwali / Deepawali)
The third day is the main festive day. People wear new clothes or their
best outfits as the evening approaches. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more additional deities depending on the region
of India; typically Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera. Lakshmi
symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year
ahead. Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth on Diwali night. Lakshmi & Ganesha earthen idols are purchased for worship on this occasion. On the evening of
Diwali, people open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place diya lights on their windowsills and
balcony ledges to invite her in. On this day, the mothers who work hard all
year, are recognized by the family and she is seen to embody a part of Lakshmi,
the good fortune and prosperity of the household. Small earthenware lamps (diya) filled
with oil are lighted and placed in rows by some Hindus along the parapets of
temples and houses. Some set diyas adrift on rivers and streams.
Important relationships and friendships are also recognized during the day, by
visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts and sweets.
After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks). The children enjoy sparklers and variety of small fireworks, while adults enjoy playing with ground chakra, Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar), sutli bomb, rockets and bigger fireworks. The fireworks signify celebration of Diwali as well a way to chase away evil spirits. After fireworks, people head back to a family feast, conversations and mithai (sweets, desserts).
 |
| Diwali Purchase of Earthen Lamps etc |
 |
| Candles used as decorative lights in Diwali |
After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks). The children enjoy sparklers and variety of small fireworks, while adults enjoy playing with ground chakra, Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar), sutli bomb, rockets and bigger fireworks. The fireworks signify celebration of Diwali as well a way to chase away evil spirits. After fireworks, people head back to a family feast, conversations and mithai (sweets, desserts).
 |
| Enjoying Fire Crackers |
Day 4 - Diwali Padva is dedicated to wife–husband relationship.
Day
5 – Bhai Dooj is dedicated to
sister–brother bonding. (Will be Detailed separately in Y)
Dhanteras usually
falls eighteen days after Dussehra.
Prayers
The prayers vary widely by region of
India. An example vedic prayer from Brhadaranyaka
Upanishad celebrating
lights is:
Asato ma sat gamaya | (असतो मा सद्गमय ।)
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya | (तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।)
Mṛtyor ma amṛtam gamaya | (मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।)
Om shanti shanti shantihi || (ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥)
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya | (तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।)
Mṛtyor ma amṛtam gamaya | (मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।)
Om shanti shanti shantihi || (ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥)
Translation:
From untruth lead us to Truth.
From darkness lead us to Light.
From death lead us to Immortality.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
From darkness lead us to Light.
From death lead us to Immortality.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
Aside from India it
is observed as an official holiday in Fiji, Guyana, Pakistan, Malaysia, Nepal,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Surinam, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Economic Relevance:
Diwali marks a major shopping period in India. In terms of consumer purchases and economic activity, Diwali is the equivalent of Christmas in the west. It is traditionally a time when households purchase new clothing, home refurbishments, gifts, gold and other large purchases. The festival celebrates Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and investment, spending and purchases are considered auspicious. Diwali is a peak buying season for gold and jewellery in India. It is also a major sweets, candy and fireworks buying season. At retail level, about US$800 million (INR 5,000 crores) worth of firecrackers are consumed in India over the Diwali season.
Aditya Sinha
05.04.2016
That’s for today with D. Tomorrow it would be another festival with “E”
List of Other Festivals : Anant Chaturdashi, Akshay Tritiya , Buddha Purnima, Basant Panchmi, Baisakhi, Chhatha
List of Other Festivals : Anant Chaturdashi, Akshay Tritiya , Buddha Purnima, Basant Panchmi, Baisakhi, Chhatha
For my parallel second Challenge blog with A pls visit : Let the Soul Pour
For other A to Z challenge blogs visit : A to Z Challenge 2016
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