From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
From
Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
| Diwali |
An oil lamp placed on a rangoli during Deepavali |
| Also called |
Translation: Row of Lights; Deepavali, Festival of
Lights |
| Observed by |
Religiously by
Hindus and
Jains. Other Indians celebrate the cultural aspects.VIDEO
ON DIWALI |
| Type |
Religious,
India,
Nepal,
Guyana,
Trinidad & Tobago,
Mauritius,
Malaysia,
Singapore,
Sri Lanka,
Myanmar ,
Fiji and
Suriname (National holiday in these countries) |
| Significance |
Celebration of the victory of good over evil; the
uplifting of spiritual darkness. |
| Date |
Decided by the lunar calendar |
| 2010 date |
5 November |
| 2011 date |
26 October {these dates may be subject to change
according to the position of the moon) |
| Celebrations |
Decorating homes with lights,
Fireworks, distributing sweets and gifts. |
| Observances |
Prayers, Religious rituals (see
puja,
prashad) |
Diwali (also spelled Divali in few countries) or
Deepavali[1]
is popularly known as the festival of lights. Its an
important five-day festival in
Hinduism,
Sikhism,
Jainism, occurring between mid-October and mid-November.
For
Hindus, Diwali is the most important festival of the year and is
celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together
in their homes. Deepavali is an official holiday in
India,[2]
Nepal,
Guyana,
Trinidad & Tobago,
Mauritius,
Malaysia,
Singapore,
Sri Lanka,
Myanmar,
Fiji,
and
Suriname.
The name Diwali is itself a contraction of the word "Deepavali"
(Sanskrit:
???????
Dipavali), which translates into row of lamps.[3]
Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (divas) (or Deep
in
Sanskrit: ???) filled with
oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all the
celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family
members and friends. Most Indian business communities begin the
financial year on the first day of Diwali.
Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi
with Lord Vishnu. Whereas in Bengal the festival is dedicated to the
worship of Mother Kali, the goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the
symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshiped in most Hindu
homes on this day.
In Jainism, Deepawali has an added significance to the great
event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss of nirvana.
Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita
and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and vanquishing the
demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their
king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the
kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.[4]
In
Jainism, Diwali marks the attainment of
moksha
by
Mahavira in 527 BC.[5][6]
In
Sikhism, Deepavali also commemorates the return of
Guru Har Gobind Ji to
Amritsar after freeing 52 Hindu kings imprisoned in Fort
Gwalior by defeating Emperor
Jahangir; the people lit candles and diyas to celebrate his
return. This is the reason Sikhs also refer to Deepavali as Bandi
Chhorh Divas, "the day of release of detainees". Deepavali is
widely celebrated in both India and Nepal.
The first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks the
vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife
Satyabhama. Amavasya, the second day of Deepawali, marks the worship
of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood,
fulfilling the wishes of her devotees.
Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf
incarnation vanquished the tyrant Bali, and banished him to hell.
Bali was allowed to return to earth once a year, to light millions
of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance, and spread the
radiance of love and wisdom.
It is on the third day of Deepawali — Kartika Shudda Padyami that
Bali steps out of hell and rules the earth according to the boon
given by Lord Vishnu.
The fourth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai
Dooj) and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.
[edit]
Spiritual
significance
In each legend, myth and story of Deepawali lies the significance
of the victory of good over evil; and it is with each Deepawali and
the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts, that this simple
truth finds new reason and hope. From darkness unto light — the
light that empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds, that which
brings us closer to divinity.
During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India and the
scent of incense sticks hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of
fire-crackers, joy, togetherness and hope. Diwali is celebrated
around the globe. Outside India, it is more than a Hindu festival,
it's a celebration of South-Asian identities.[4]
While Deepavali is popularly known as the "festival of lights",
the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the
inner light". Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that
there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure,
infinite, and eternal, called the
Atman.
Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Diwali is
the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of
which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all
ignorance), awakening the individual to one's true nature, not as
the body, but as the unchanging, infinite,
immanent and
transcendent reality.
With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion,
love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher
knowledge). This brings Ananda (joy or peace).
While the story behind Deepavali and the manner of
celebration varies from region to region (festive fireworks,
worship, lights, sharing of sweets), the essence is the same – to
rejoice in the Inner Light (Atman)
or the underlying reality of all things (Brahman).
Deepavali is celebrated for five days according to the lunisolar
Hindu Calendar. It begins in late
Ashvin
(between September and October) and ends in early
Kartika (between October and November). The first day is Dhan
Teras. The last day is Yama Dvitiya, which signifies the
second day of the light half of Kartika. Each day of Deepavali marks
one celebration of the six principal stories associated with the
festival.[7].
Hindus
have several significant events associated with Diwali:
- The return of
Sri Ram
after 14 years of
Vanvas (banishment). To welcome his return, candles were lit
in rows of 20.
- The killing of
Narakasura: Celebrated as
Naraka Chaturdashi, one day before Deepavali, it
commemorates the killing of the evil demon Narakasura, who
wreaked havoc.
Krishna's wife
Satyabhama killed Narakasura during the
Dwapara yuga. In another version of the belief, the demon
was killed by Krishna or Krishna provoked his wife Satyabhama to
kill Narshna, defeating
Indra.
- Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Deepavali and is
the day Krishna defeated Indra, the deity of thunder and rain.
According to the story, Krishna saw preparations for an annual
offering to Lord Indra and asked his father Nanda about it. He
debated with the villagers about what their 'dharma' truly was.
They were farmers, they should do their duty and concentrate on
farming and protection of their cattle. He said that all human
beings should do their 'karma' to the best of their ability and
not pray for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by
Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer).
Indra was then angered, and flooded the village. Krishna lifted
Mount Govardhan and held to protect the people and cattle
from the rain. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized
Krishna as supreme. Although this aspect of Krishna's life is
sometimes ignored[citation
needed] it sets up the basis of the 'karma'
philosophy later detailed in the
Bhagavat Gita.
Diwali being festival of lights, across India people
celebrate it via symbolic diyas or
kandils (colourful paper lanterns) as an integral
part of Diwali decorations.
Rangoli, decorations made from coloured powder, is
popular during Diwali
Deepavali celebrations are spread over five days.[8]
All the days except Diwali are named according to their designation
in the
Hindu calendar. The days are:
- Vasu Baras (27
Ashvin or 12
Krishna Paksha
Ashvin): Baras means the 12th day and vasu
means cow. On this day the cow and calf are worshiped.
-
Dhanatrayodashi or Dhan teras or Dhanwantari Triodasi'[9]
(28
Ashvin or 13
Krishna Paksha
Ashvin): Dhan means wealth and Trayodashi
means 13th day. This day falls on the 13th day of the second
half of the lunar month. It is considered an auspicious day for
buying utensils and gold. This day is regarded as the Jayanti of
God Dhanvantri who came out during the churning of the great
ocean by the gods and the demons.
-
Naraka Chaturdashi (29
Ashvin or 14
Krishna Paksha
Ashvin): Chaturdashi is the 14th day on which the
demon Narakasura was killed by Krishna – an incarnation of
Vishnu. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light
over darkness (Gujarati: Kali Chaudas, Rajasthan : Roop Chaudas).
In southern India, this is the actual day of festivities. Hindus
wake up before dawn, have a fragrant oil bath and dress in new
clothes. They light small lamps all around the house and draw
elaborate
kolams /rangolis
outside their homes. They perform a special
puja with offerings to Krishna or Vishnu, as he liberated
the world from the demon Narakasura on this day. It is believed
that taking a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still
visible in the sky is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy
Ganges. After the puja, children burst firecrackers
heralding the defeat of the demon. As this is a day of
rejoicing, many will have very elaborate breakfasts and lunches
and meet family and friends.
-
Lakshmi Puja (30
Ashvin or 15
Krishna Paksha
Ashvin): Lakshmi Puja marks the most important
day of Diwali celebrations in North India. Hindu homes worship
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and
Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings, and then light
lamps in the streets and homes to welcome prosperity and
well-being.
-
Bali Pratipada and
Govardhan Puja (1
Kartika or 1
Shukla Paksha
Kartika) : In North India, this day is celebrated as
Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut, and is
celebrated as the day
Krishna – an incarnation of god
Vishnu – defeated
Indra
and by the lifting of
Govardhana hill to save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and
floods. For Annakut, large quantities of food are
decorated symbolizing the Govardhan hill lifted by Krishna. In
Maharashtra,
Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka, it is celebrated as Bali-Pratipada or Bali
Padyami. The day commemorates the victory of Vishnu in his dwarf
form
Vamana over the demon-king
Bali, who was pushed to the nether-world, and the return of
Bali to earth from the nether-world. In Maharashtra, it is
called as Padava or Nava Diwas (new day). Men
present gifts to their wives on this day. It is celebrated as
the first day of the
Vikram Samvat calender, in
Gujarat.
-
Bhaiduj (also Bhayyaduj, Bhaubeej or Bhayitika) (2
Kartika or 2
Shukla Paksha
Kartika): on this day, brothers and sisters meet to
express love and affection for each other (Gujarati: Bhai Bij,
Bengali: Bhai Phota). It is based on a story when
Yama,
lord of Death, visited his sister
Yami.
Yami
welcomed
Yama
with an Aarti and they had a feast together.
Yama
gave a gift to Yami while leaving as a token of his
appreciation. So, the day is also called 'YAM DWITIYA'.
[edit]
Lakshmi Puja
MMain article:
Lakshmi PujaDeepavali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India.
Farmers give thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for
a good harvest for the year to come. Traditionally this marked the
closing of accounts for businesses dependent on the agrarian cycle,
and is the last major celebration before winter.
Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are
invoked for a good year ahead.
There are two legends that associate the worship of Lakshmi on
this day. According to the first legend, on this day, Lakshmi
emerged from Kshira Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, during the great
churning of the oceans,
Samudra manthan.
The second legend (more popular in western India) relates to the
Vamana
avatar of the big three Vishnu, the incarnation he assumed to kill
the demon king
Bali. On this day, Vishnu came back to his abode the
Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi receive the benefit of
her benevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and
material well-being.[10]
As per spiritual references, on this day "Lakshmi-panchayatan"
enters the Universe. Vishnu, Indra, Kubera, Gajendra and Lakshmi are
elements of this "panchayatan" (a group of five). The tasks of these
elements are:
- Lakshmi: Divine Energy (Shakti)
which provides energy to all the above activities.li>
- Vishnu: Happiness (happiness and satisfaction)
-
Kubera: Wealth (Generosity; one who gives away wealth)
-
Indra: Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth)
- Gajendra: Carries the wealth
