The observance of Diwali (Part 1)

Dear editor,
AFTER celebrating Navratri and Dussehra, Diwali follows shortly afterwards. The much-awaited Hindu festival is the brightest celebration (literally), and people eagerly look forward to the festivities. Although the pandemic may have brought a halt to large congregations and Diwali gatherings, that doesn’t mean that spirits should be dampened. Diwali or Deepavali is one of the widely celebrated festivals of the country. People clean their houses, deck them up with lights and decorations to celebrate the day. Goddess Lakshmi is of special significance on Diwali day. Many people choose to keep a fast to pray to the goddess of wealth on this auspicious day. Throughout the world, the Diwali festival actually runs for five days, with the main event happening on the third day in most places as in India, Guyana, Suriname, the rest of the Caribbean and other countries in the world.

The first day (November 12, 2020) is known as Dhanteras, or Dhanatrayodashi. “Dhan” means wealth and “teras” refers to the 13th day of a lunar fortnight on the Hindu calendar. The second day (November 13, 2020) is known as Naraka Chaturdasi or Chhoti Diwali (small Diwali). “Naraka” means hell and “Chaturdashi” means 14th day of a lunar fortnight on the Hindu calendar. The third day (November 14, 2020) is the new-moon day known as Amavasya. This darkest day of the month is the most significant day of the Diwali festival. The fourth day (November 15, 2020) has various meanings across India. In northern India, Govardhan Puja is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna defeated Indra, the god of thunder and rain.

In Gujarat, it’s celebrated as the start of a new year. The fifth day (November 16, 2020) is known as Bhai Duj.
Diwali falls on either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. It is observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. This year, Diwali falls on 14th November, 2020 (Saturday). The festivities begin from 13th November, which is Dhanteras (Friday). Diwali is also followed by Govardhan Puja on 15th November (Sunday) and Bhaiya Dooj on the 16th November (Monday). Diwali celebrates the new moon of the first lunar month, Kartik. The Hindu lunar calendar has two parts: dark (Krishna paksha, or waning moon) and light (Shukla paksha or waxing moon), and the new moon (Amavasya) always occurs in between the parts, typically on the 15th. Diwali falls on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which is the new moon day of the first month of the lunar year. As the festival of lights, Diwali is characterised by massive amounts of fireworks and firecrackers, intended to offset the cold, dark nights of the coming winter.
All of the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story behind them. Homes are illuminated with lights, and firecrackers fill the skies as an expression of respect to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, and prosperity. According to one belief, the sound of firecrackers indicates the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the firecrackers kill or repel many insects, including mosquitoes, which are plentiful after the rains.

The Diwali festival dates back to ancient times in India. It is mentioned in Sanskrit texts dating from the fourth century CE but was likely practiced for many hundreds of years before that. Although most important for Hindus, the festival is also observed by Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. While different historical events are observed in different regions and by different faiths, Diwali or Deepavali, also known as the “Festival of Lights,” is the biggest festival in the Hindu calendar, celebrated in early fall of each year. Spiritually, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. As the term “Festival of Lights” suggests, the celebration involves millions of lights illuminated from rooftops, doorways, and windows in thousands of temples and buildings all over the countries where the festival is observed.

Diwali is said to be the day that Lord Rama returned after a 14-year exile to be reinstated as the king of Ayodhya. The citizens rejoiced at the return of their king, and thus Diwali was born. Also known as ‘the festival of lights’, or ‘Deepavali’, it is customary to light earthen diyas and candles to celebrate the day. Homes are cleaned and decorated and Rangolis are painted on the floor. People purchase and wear new clothes and jewellery during this period, and pray to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Kali Puja is performed in Eastern States of India such as Bengal, and in Tamil Nadu the day is celebrated as Narak Chatardushi. It is also a common practice to visit friends, relatives and near and dear ones with gifts, dried fruits and sweets to wish them on Diwali.

Respectfully,
Jai Lall