Diwali: All you need to know about the festival of lights

Charan Kumar
October 18, 2017

Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of lights, sees millions attend firework displays, prayers and celebratory events across the world every autumn. Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains for a variety of reasons, the main theme is the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Also known as Deepavali, a Sanskrit word meaning “rows of lighted lamps”, it is one of the most popular Hindu festivals celebrated across South Asia.  But it is also celebrated by Jains and Sikhs.

It sees millions of earthenware oil lamps, called diyas, light up people’s homes, shops, public spaces and places of worship as part of celebrations which marks the start of the Hindu new year.

Diwali is celebrated every year on the 15th day of Kartika. The celebrations last for five days. The night before Diwali, people clean and decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, people dress up in new clothes, light diyas and pray to goddess Lakshmi — the goddess of fertility and prosperity.

Why this celebration?

The mythical stories around Diwali vary regionally and within the traditions of Hinduism. It is believed to be the festival after the summer harvest in the month of Kartika. It is also associated with the legend of Yama and Nachiketa on Kartika Amavasya (Diwali night). The Nachiketa story — about right versus wrong, true wealth versus transient wealth, knowledge versus ignorance — is noted in the Katha Upanishad that was composed in 1st millennium BC.

In North India, Diwali is celebrated as the day when Lord Rama returned from his 14-year exile after defeating Ravana. People of Ayodhya light candles and diyas to celebrate his return to the kingdom. According to another legend, Pandavas from the Mahabharata returned to their homeland after 13 years, and the day is celebrated to commemorate their return. In South India, it is celebrated as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. There are still other theories associated with Deepavali, such as Lord Mahavira attaining enlightenment on this day, the rising of goddess Lakshmi from the sea and the birth of goddess Kali.

Five days

There is significant variation in regional practices and rituals. Prayers are offered to one or more deities, with the most common being Lakshmi — the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Each day of Diwali has its own story and legends.

The first day of Deepavali is known as Dhanteras, which means the coming of wealth and prosperity to the home. People buy utensils, silver or gold coins to signify the welcoming of wealth to their homes.

The second day, today, is known as Naraka Chaturdasi, which is a celebration of Lord Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura.

The third day is Amavasya, at which Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped, as she fulfills all wishes.

The fourth day is known as Bali Pratipada, to mark the day when Lord Vishnu defeated the demon king Bali in his Vamana avatar. A Govardhan puja is also held on this day to mark the defeat of the proud Indra by Lord Krishna.

The fifth day is known as Yama Dvitiya or Bhai Dooj, which is when the lord of death Yama visits his sister, Yami.

Apart from this, another prevalent tradition is the worshipping of cattle by farmers. According to farmers, cows are their primary source of wealth, which is why they treat cattle like god. In some parts of the country, cows are worshipped as goddess Lakshmi.

Diyas, Kartik lamps and Rangoli

There cannot be Deepavali without diyas. A diya is an oil lamp usually made of clay, with a cotton wick dipped in ghee or vegetable oils. It is lit in households celebrating Deepavali to shed light on darkness. Lighting lamps are of utmost significance in the month of Kartika. There is a tradition of offering akash deep (hanging lamps) during this month.

During Deepavali, people clean their homes and decorate the courtyards, walls and entrances with hangings, torans and colorful rangolis to welcome goddess Lakshmi.

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News Network
June 20,2020

Bengaluru, Jun 20: Former Chief Minister and Congress Legislative Party leader Siddaramaiah has slammed BJP leader and former Congress MP and MLA H Vishwanath for blaming him for not getting MLC ticket.

Siddaramaiah said, "H Vishwanath is neither a fool nor intelligent, that's why he's blaming me for not getting ticket. He is in BJP and I'm in congress how will I influence his ticket."

He also slammed Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa, "Yediyurappa is toothless to speak to PM and asking for funds which need to be allotted to Karnataka including 5,049 crores, which 15th finance Commission suggested."

"No pro-people schemes must be stopped including Indira canteen, Yediyurappa thinks Indira canteen will bring good name to me that's why this government is trying to stop it," he added.

He was speaking after a protest organised at Mysuru against the hike in fuel prices.

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News Network
April 5,2020

New Delhi, April 5: Former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer a "credible scientific and rational" explanation for his candle-lighting call and said he is giving "meaningless tasks" to an already exhausted population.

The JD(S) leader questioned if the Prime Minister asked the nation to observe a candle-light vigil on the eve of foundation day of BJP.

"Has the PM slyly asked the nation to observe a candle light vigil on the eve of foundation day of BJP? April 6 being its foundation day, what else can explain the choice of date & time for this event? I challenge the PM to offer a credible scientific and rational explanation," Kumaraswamy tweeted.

"The government is yet to provide PPEs for doctors and make test kits affordable for the common man. Without telling the nation what concrete steps are being taken to combat COVID-19 menace, the prime minister is giving meaningless tasks to an already exhausted population," he tweeted.

"It is shameful to convert the national crisis into an event of self aggrandizement & it is beyond shameful to push the hidden agenda of his party in the face of global calamity. May sense prevail upon the PM," the JDS leader said in another tweet.

Amid a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, Prime Minister Modi on Friday appealed to countrymen to light diyas and candles on April 5 at 9 pm to fight the darkness spread by the pandemic. He asked the people to turn off all the lights in their homes and stand at doors or balconies and light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights for 9 minutes on April 5.

Last month, PM Modi had asked the people to come out in their balconies and clap and beat utensils to show appreciation for doctors, nurses and others helping fight coronavirus on 'Janata Curfew'.

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News Network
January 9,2020

Udupi, Jan 9: State Revenue Minister R Ashoka said on Wednesday that the state government is embarking on a novel method to ensure that social security schemes were available to the beneficiaries at their doorsteps.

Speaking after inaugurating the Mini Vidhana Soudha here, he said government will look into the Aadhaar number and income certificates to decide the eligibility of the beneficiaries. The initiative will help the poor to access welfare schemes without any hassles.

The initiative will be launched as a pilot project in Udupi district. Later, the project will extend to other districts in a phased manner. In Udupi district, 30,000 beneficiaries have been identified. The government has set aside nearly Rs 7,000 crore for social security schemes. The initiative will not only eliminate middlemen menace but will help the government save Rs 1,000 crore.

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