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Diwali (also
spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepavali, popularly
known as the "festival of lights",
is an important festival in
Hinduism, celebrated for different reasons, occurring between
mid-October and mid-November. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most
important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by
performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains,
Diwali marks the attainment of
moksha
or
nirvana by
Mahavira in 527 BC.
Deepavali is an official holiday in
India,
Nepal,
Sri
Lanka,
Myanmar,
Mauritius,
Guyana,
Trinidad & Tobago,
Suriname,
Malaysia,
Singapore, and
Fiji.
The name "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" which
translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small
clay lamps (diyas
or dipas) 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.
The festival starts with
Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their
financial year. The second day of the festival,
Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon
Naraka by
Lord
Krishna and his wife
Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third 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
Bali,
and banished him to
Patala.
It is on the fourth day of Deepawali, Kartika Shudda Padyami,
that Bali went to
patala
and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is
referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and
on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.
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).
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