Diwali The Festival of Lights, Happy Diwali

 Diwali The Festival of Lights, Happy Diwali

Diwali / Deepavali 

Diwali and Deepavali is the biggest and brightest festival of all Hindu festivals. Diwali is one of the lavishly and most celebrated festivals in India that is marked by lights and fireworks everywhere. People share gifts and sweet in this day and also exchange  greetings to express their love and blessing to their close dear ones. The festival epitomizes splendor and mirth with the lightning of diyas and lanterns and bursting of crackers that shun the darkness around and makes way for dawning of success and prosperity. The festival of Deepavali has certain history and significance that should be known by each and every Indian. This article will provide information on diwali and how is it celebrated in India and other countries.

 

 

 History of Diwali/Deepavali  Festival:

History of Deepavali festival was tracked back from the ancient India at that time it is celebrated as an important harvest festival. Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word “Deepavali” means “Rows of Lamps”. Deepavali (Divali, Dipawali, Deevali, Dipabali) is a very ancient festival of physical and spiritual light celebrated on 15th day “New Moon Day” of the Hindu month of Kartika. The Padma Purana & Skanda Purana has mentioned the significance of Deepavali as a festival of lights and therefore lamps and diyas are lightened during this festival. The history and significance (spiritual) of Deepavali has different stories in different religions. In Hinduism, it mainly honors the return of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lord Lakshmana from their exile according to the epic Ramayana. It also marks the historical significance of the victory of Lord Rama over demon king Ravana. Thus the history of Deepavali is very interesting one. Want to know the significance of diwali in the life of hindus? Read more to know about diwali and how is it being celebrated in India and few other Hindu countries.

 

Significance of Diwali / Deepavali festival: 

There are both spiritual and religious significance of the festival of Deepavali. Diwali is celebrated among Jains, Sikhs and Hindus to mark certain mythological stories and Hindu philosophies. It basically signifies the victory of good over bad or evil and reflects prosperity and wealth. It mainly marks the celebration of inner light or happiness over spiritual darkness and knowledge over arrogance and ignorance. Religious Significance varies across India depending upon the Hindu philosophy, religious legends, myths and beliefs.

 

Diwali  significance 

The festival is a national holiday in many nations especially in India and hence people significantly for the occasion. They paint or renovate houses and adorn it beautifully to welcome a brighter future with Goddess Lakshmi. In the history of Deepavali lighting of earthen diyas are mentioned. Shopping is a major part of the festival and women go shopping and get their bags filled sumptuously. At night, the skies covered with magnificent fireworks while houses are adorned with scintillating lamps and lanterns.

 

As per the History, Deepavali is the festival and celebration for Five days. First day of Deepavali begins with “Dhan Trayodashi”, the second day of Deepavali is “Narak Chaturdashi”, which is also known as “Chotti Deepavali”. The third day is the main celebration of Deepavali and it is also called “Badi Deepavali”. The fourth day of Deepavali is for doing Govardhan puja by worshipping Govardhan Parvat. The last and fifth day of Deepavali is “Bhai Dooj” celebrated to honor the relationship of brother-sister. Deepavali is celebrated as per the rituals mentioned in the history by religious scriptures.

 

 

Diwali Celebration 

Based on the history and significance of the festival of Diwali people worship different deities according to their religion. In West Bengal goddess Kali is deified and the festival is celebrated as Kali Puja. In north central region, Lord Krishna is worshipped while in some parts offerings are paid to Lord Ganesha. In Jainism Lord Mahavira is worshipped while Sikhs celebrate this festival as Bandi Choorh Divas as it marks the day when Guru Har Gobind Ji freed Hindu rulers and himself from Gwalior fort and from the prison of Mughal emperor Jahangir and arrived at the sacred Golden temple of Amritsar. In all these religion the significance of Deepavali is different and all these people celebrates Deepavali according to the history.