Diwali Celebrations

Posted on August 11, 2007 in Diwali Celebrations

Diwali Celebrations

Diwali is regarded as one of the most significant celebrations of the Hindu calendar. It is commemorated all over the country with immense pageantry and excitement. The festival is chiefly connected with lights since it is referred to as the festival of lights. On the day of the celebration, diyas or tiny clay lamps are lit in the homes of almost every Hindu irrespective of their social rank. The name Diwali suggests ‘rows of lighted lamps’. Diwali is a five-day festival, commencing on the 15th day of the Hindu calendar month of Kartika or Ashwin. In accordance with the Gregorian calendar, Diwali takes place in October or November.


Diwali symbolizes the commencement of the Hindu as well as Gujarati New Year and is observed with the lighting of lamps and candles together with plenty of fireworks. People adorn their households with exquisite diyas and make colorful rangoli designs in the courtyard as well as in the doorway of the house. They place flowers as well as mango leaves on their doors and windows, an age old practice that has a special religious significance of its own. Diyas and candles are lit on the roof of the houses, in rooms, and balconies. On this very day, people pay their obeisance to Lord Ganesha, an important Hindu god together with Lakshmi, the goddess of riches and affluence. Diwali is the time for presenting the near and dear ones with gifts and is also an occasion to distribute sweets among acquaintances, relatives and neighbors.


Due to India’s diverse cultural traditions, there are several expressions of the Diwali festival. The celebration commences with Dhanteras, a day dedicated to the worship of the goddess of opulence or goddess Lakshmi. On this day, homes are tidied and adorned with decorative rangolis.


Folklores

There are numerous folklores connected with the festivities surrounding Diwali. But people generally link the festival with the legend of Lord Rama’s homecoming to his kingdom of Ayodhya after fourteen years in exile and his triumph over the demon king Ravana. In Bengal, the celebration is associated with the adoration of Goddess Kali. People observe Kali puja with immense passion and zeal. Enjoyment and celebrations spread to every part of the nation during the Diwali season. The festival of Diwali is a major Hindu festival that unifies entire India. People exchange sweets and the display of fireworks traditionally supplements the commemoration of the festival. Diwali is a time for happiness and togetherness. This is the time of the year when people, irrespective of their age and class, participate in the festivities. Diwali is the Hindu festival that unifies the entire country. It is conventionally referred to as the “festival of lights”. Tiny oil lamps also known as diyas are tastefully positioned in the houses, in courtyards, gardens, balconies and on the doorways of houses and on the roof tops.


The festival is marked by the profuse consumption of sweets and the explosion of fireworks. People organize feasts and merrily-dressed men, women and children visit temples and travel to fairs, visit acquaintances and relatives. Markets are tastefully adorned and illuminated and according to Diwali custom it is imperative for people to wear new clothes. The womenfolk wear dazzling ornaments that is a reflection of the social mood at its happiest.

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