How to Get the Spirit of Diwali Celebrations

Posted on September 8, 2009 in Latest News

Diwali is the festival of lights. Light signifies happiness, love, warmth and radiance. Celebrating Diwali means radiating love and warmth to the fellow beings with respect and integrity.

Diwali has lot of spirit in it. Real celebration of Diwali is knowing the spirit and significance. Otherwise Diwali will be a ritual. Unfortunately, many people do know what Diwali is. They consider it as the day assigned to burn crackers. Yes! Diwali is the day to burn crackers, but it is not merely to burn crackers. One has to contemplate on the history and ideology behind Diwali.

Diwali and Ramayana

Diwali is very much related to Hindu epic, Ramayana. Ramayana is the story of Lord Rama. Lord Rama is known for His virtues and righteousness. Here is the brief story of Lord Rama.

Lord Rama, being a king, went to forest to keep the word of His father Dasharatha. This shows Lord Rama’s obedience and respect towards His father. Lord Rama went to exile accompanied with his younger brother Lakshman and wife Sita. They lived under trees and caves eating fruits and nuts in the forest for fourteen years. This shows the tolerance and simplicity of Lord Rama.

During the exile the demon king Ravana of Lanka abducted Sita. He kidnapped Mother Sita and troubled Her by testing Her chastity. When no negotiations worked Lord Rama had to fight fiery battle in the southern part of the Indian sub-continent with Ravana. Ravana was defeated miserably. Lord Rama finally got Sita back. He returned to Ayodhaya (North India) along with Hanuman and the Vanar who helped Him in achieving success. The day was the new moon day of Kartik. All the residents of Ayodhaya were jubilant to see their beloved king Rama back. They celebrated the day by keeping the lighted lamps in rows, calling Deepawali or Diwali.

The Real Diwali

The real significance of this story is to ponder on the qualities of Lord Rama. Diwali is welcoming Lord Rama. This means attaining the qualities of Lord Rama by knowing the greatness of sacrifice, obedience and righteousness. It is appreciation of Lord Rama by following in His path.

Burning crackers signify the burning the Ravana within. Ravana is the personification of lust, greed, envy and illusion. These qualities should be burned away by the light of knowledge and wisdom. Diwali is the light of knowledge and wisdom. Diwali shows the lighted path for attainment of peace, prosperity and ultimate salvation for the man.

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