Diwali Fireworks

Posted on August 11, 2007 in Diwali Celebrations

Celebrating Diwali with Fireworks

Among the Hindus, celebrating festivals with fireworks is an age old tradition. So, it’s not surprising that Diwali is associated with both the light and sound of firecrackers. Diwali announces itself with an explosion of color and sound; and everywhere you see a display of fireworks.

The festival day usually begins with a special Lakshmi pooja and exchanging of sweets with family and friends. But, as evening approaches, children and their parents arrange the earthen lamps outside their homes and bring out baskets of firecrackers to set the sky alight with color and sound. Families participate in bursting crackers, often screaming and shouting with joy.

Fun, fireworks and frolic characterize the spirit of Diwali and can be seen just everywhere even before the day arrives on the new moon day (amavasya) in the month of Kartik. Earthen lamps are lit and arranged on balconies, window ledges and staircases. Great care is taken to see that they are not kept near any flammable material like wood, cloth or paper.

People also take care to see that these earthen lamps do not continue to burn even after the day’s festivities come to a close or this can create a dangerous situation. These days, however, earthen lamps are giving way to candles of various colors and shapes, and electric lights of different shapes and sizes light up the dark and sometimes cold nights of Diwali.

Lights apart, Diwali is incomplete without the sparkle and crackle of fireworks-something that people of all ages simply adore. It is really a sight to behold-all those twinkling anaars, rockets whizzing past and dazzling the sky even for a brief moment, while other crackers light up right before is in a combination of colors. This display of pyrotechnics is absolutely fantastic and can leave anyone spellbound.

The link between fireworks and Diwali goes back thousands of years when Lord Rama defeated his enemy Ravana. This festival therefore is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, and is celebrated with great festivity, fireworks included.

In India, we have full access to fireworks, unlike in the West. It is not uncommon to see people lighting crackers on public roads, much against instructions from the police and public administration authorities. In towns, fireworks displays are usually conducted at the temple grounds. Diwali is a very welcome festival as it unifies people of all religions and spreads the feeling of goodwill and brotherhood among everyone, irrespective of caste, creed, age, sex or social status.

Times are somewhat changing, and these days, it is not uncommon to find that this brilliant display of fireworks that rents the sky with color is getting to be limited due to the pollution it causes. So, to curb both pollution from firecrackers and their expense, housing societies have a community display of fireworks which everyone watches. Perhaps, this is a new trend in Diwali celebrations-one we should welcome.

Comments

2 Responses to “Diwali Fireworks”

  1. renuka Says:
    September 21st, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    i want to know why do we burst fireworks?

  2. renuka Says:
    September 21st, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    i want to know varities of fireworks that had came?

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