 |
The
word "Diwali" comes from the Sanskrit word "Deepawali"
- Deepa meaning light and Avali, meaning a row. It is
celebrated 20 days after Dussera, on the 13th
day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu calendar month
of Ashwin (October-November). The most common legend
related to Diwali is from the epic of the Ramayana
(a legendary story of Lord Rama). King Dashratha
had three wives namely Kaushalaya, Keykayee and
Sumitra and four sons Rama, Bharat,
Laxmana and Shatrughan.
|
|
Rama was the son of Queen Kaushalaya and Bharat
was the son of Queen Keykayee. Keykayee
wanted Bharat to be the next King while the King Dashratha
wanted Rama, his eldest son to be the King. But Keykayee
made full use of the two wishes King Dasharatha
had once promised Keykayee and asked for sending
Rama to exile for the period of fourteen years.
During that time Lord Rama fought and won tenuous
struggles in the south part of the Indian sub-continent
(which some people believe is now Sri Lanka) killing
the king of Demons, Ravana who had forcibly
taken away his wife Sita. Diwali marks
his victorious return to his kingdom, Ayodhya.
|
Another reason for the celebration of Diwali is that it
marks the killing of the evil Narkasura at the hands
of Krishna (a Hindu God). Naraka is believed to have abducted
16,000 women. Krishna killed him and rescued these women
whom he later married. Naraka is the personification of
hell and is believed to be the monsoon during which all
activities come to a stand still.
In
South India, the story widely associated with Diwali is
that of Narasimha, the man-lion incarnation of Vishnu.
According to a legend, Hiranyakshipu was an evil
demon king. He was unjust and cruel to his people. However,
he was almost invincible, having extracted a boon from Brahma
(the creator) that he would be killed neither by beast nor
man, neither inside nor outside, neither during the day
nor at night. When his atrocities became unbearable, the
gods sought Vishnu's help. Assuming his fifth incarnation
of Narasimha, the man-lion, Vishnu killed Hiranyakshipu
with his claws in the courtyard just before daybreak, hence
steering clear of the boundaries of the boon.
Diwali
or Deepawali is celebrated for a period of five days. The
First day is called Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi,
which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin.
'Dhan' means wealth and this day is generally observed
to acknowledge and welcome wealth. Lakshmi the Goddess
of wealth (wife of Lord Vishnu-the preserver) is believed
to enter houses on this day, therefore entrances are made
colourful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli
(designs made with coloured powder) to welcome the Goddess
of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival,
small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion
powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through
the nights, since Lakshmi is said not to enter a dark house.
The lamps also welcome home the spirits of dead ancestors,
who are believed to visit on this auspicious night. In addition,
the light frightens away any evil spirit that might be wandering
about near the house on this night. In the state of Orissa,
lamps are lit to light up the dark path so the spirits of
ancestors can find their way back to heaven. In modern times,
diyas have been replaced by wax candles and colored
electric bulbs. In villages cattle are adorned and worshipped
by farmers as they form the main source of their income.
Cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed
to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore
they are adorned and worshipped on this day.
People worship the tools or equipment of their source of
income (e.g. Carpenters worship their tools.) As a symbol
of entering wealth, women folk buy something of value- either
utensils or even gold and silver on this day.
The
Second day is called Narka-Chaturdashi or
Choti-Diwali, which falls on the fourteenth day of
the month of Ashwin. The legend related to this day
is about the King Bali of the nether world whose
mighty power had become a threat to the gods. In order to
curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a small
boy visited him and begged him to give him only that much
land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for
his philanthropy King Bali proudly granted him his
wish. So with his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire
heaven, with the second step the earth and asked Bali as
to where he should take the step. Bali offered his
own head and so Vishnu put his foot on Bali's
head and pushed him down to the underworld. However for
his generosity Lord Vishnu allowed Bali to return
to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel
the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love
and wisdom. This day therefore is dedicated to lights and
prayers.
|
