Every Year we celebrate Deepawali by bursting firecrackers announcing the celebration of one of our favorite festival. Houses are decorated, sweetsare distributed by everyone and lamps are lit to create a festive atmosphere. Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali is by far the most glamorous and important. Enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion, its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity.
The ancient story of how Diwali evolved into such a widely celebrated festival is different in various regions and states of India. In the north, Diwali is the day when Rama’s coronation was celebrated in Ayodhya after his epic war with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Lamps were lit to welcome Rama and Sita after their exile.
During Deepawali…. On different days different Gods and Godesses are worshipped. Doorways are hung with mango leaves and marigold flowers. Rangolis are drawn with different coloured powders to welcome guests. Lamps are lit from which the feestival takes the name. People buy new clothes and jewlry especially silver jewlry….. Books are worshipped as part of Laxmi Pooja and is an important part of financial year.The day ends with lots of cracker bursting sessions. For 5-6 hours, every family burns fire crackers worth thousands of ruppees. Poplular fire crackers are sparkling pots, bombs, rockets etc.
In the south, Diwali has two more legends connected with it. The first legend again concerns the victory of good over evil. Narakasura the demon of hell, challenged Krishna to battle. After a fierce fight lasting two days, the demon was killed at dawn on Narakachaturdashi. To commemorate this event, people in peninsular India wake before sunrise and make imitation blood by mixing kumkum or vermillion with oil. After crushing underfoot a bitter fruit as a symbol of the demon, they apply the `blood’ triumphantly on their foreheads. They then have ritual oil baths, annointing themselves with sandalwood paste. Visits to temples for prayers are followed by large family breakfasts of fruits and a variety of sweets.
The second legend is about King bali, the benevolent demon king of the netherworld. He was so powerful that he became a threat to the power of celestial deities and their kingdoms. Intimidated by his expanding empire and taking advantage of his well-known generosity, they sent Vishnu as the dwarf mendicant Vamana, to dilute Bali’s power. Vamana shrewdly asked the king for land that would cover three steps as he walked. The king happily granted this gift. Having tricked Bali, Vishnu revealed himself in the full glory of his godhood. He covered the heaven in his first step and the earth in his second. Realizing that he was pitted against the mighty Vishnu, Bali surrendered and offered his own head inviting Vishnu to step on it. Vishnu pushed him into the nether world with his foot. In return Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge to light up the dark underworld. He also gave him a blessing that he would return to his people once a year to light millions of lamps from this one lamp so that on the dark new moon light of Diwali, the blinding darkness of ignorance , greed, jealousy, lust, anger ego, and laziness would be dispelled and the radiance of knowledge, wisdom and friendship prevail. Each year on Diwali day , even today, one lamp lights another and like a flame burning steadily on a windless night, brings a message of peace and harmony to the world .
Whatever may be the fables and legends behind the celebrations of Diwali, all people exchange sweets, wear new clothes and buy jewellery at this festive time. Card parties are held in many homes. Diwali has become commercialised as the biggest annual consumer spree because every family shops for sweets, gifts and fireworks. However, in all this frenzy of shopping and eating, the steady, burning lamp is a constant symbol of an illuminated mind .
In Canada and US each community gets together and celebrate Deepawali with their own personal touch of singing and dancing and always food is the main attraction as each family brings their best Bursting firecrackers is not as popular and some places is even illegal.
HAPPY DEEPAWALI TO ALL
Author: Dr. K.B. Mallya- Canada