As the month of October proceed, 1 billion people from all around the world are busy preparing for their grand festival; The Diwali. It’s bit of misfortune for some of my friends here in America, that they have no idea about what 1 in every 6 person on the earth, is busy celebrating with. Why not to take this as opportunity to tell them about social as well as spiritual significance behind the festival? There is my 2 cents :)
Diwali, which is also known as Deepavali, is a festival of lights. These light signifies enlightenment, joy of victory of Dharma(implies as truth or good) over Adharma (implies as darkness, bad or evil). The day of festival also mark end of year as per Vikram Samvat Calendar, one of the oldest calendar in the history of man kind.(The Vikram Samvat was founded by the emperor
Vikramaditya of
Ujjain[1] following his victory over the
Sakas in 56 BC. More accurately, this calendar is 56.7 years ahead (in count) of the solar calendar).
Deepavali is Sanskrit word which means “row of light” (Deep means light and Avali means row). It teach us to drive way darkness by spreading light of knowledge. Spiritually, it is the day when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after completing His 14 year of exile (referred as Vanvas in Indian literature) and His victory over Ravana. Full of joy, people of Ayodhya welcomed their king by lighting rows(avali) of lamps(deep) and hence the name Deepavali. Just as we celebrate birth of oneself, Deepavali is for celebration of inner light which outshines all darkness or ignorance and awakening us to know our true nature; far far away from just physical existence.
To celebrate the occasion, people light oil lamps in and around their house and set off firecrackers. People paint and clean their homes, buy new clothes and distribute sweets to their relatives and friends. By spreading light in every corner of our premises, we try to destroy the reign of darkness, on the night of Diwali. People decorate their premises with diyas, electric bulbs and other decorative electric lighting fixtures, to make their surroundings filled with colorful light and to make it bright and beautiful. Many interesting rituals and traditions have been attached to the celebrations of Diwali. Fire crackers are burst and people enjoy wearing new clothes, on the auspicious day.
Diwali is a five-day long festival, which is celebrated with fun and fervor.
The first day of Diwali is known as 'Dhanteras' which is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartik. Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic on this day for the welfare of the mankind. People renovate, decorate their houses on this day and make traditional 'Rangoli' on the entrance, to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Lamps and candles are lit throughout the night. It is considered auspicious to buy gold and silver on this day. Many people opt for buying new utensils on this day.
The second day of Diwali is Narak Chaturdashi.Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur on this day to make the mankind free from his fear. It is a tradition to massage the body with oil and to bathe on this day. According to an interesting saying it is believed that those who do not bathe on this day go to the Narak (hell).
The third day is the main day of the Diwali festival.On this day, people wear new clothes and share gifts and sweets with their friends and relatives. Women prepare delicacies and whole house is illuminated with 'diyas' and candles. Fireworks and crackers are the kids' favorites on this day. This day signifies end of year.
The forth day is new year day (as per Vikram Samvat). Day starts very early for all devotees as they get ready in their new cloths, visit temple, chant to the GOD, and then wish each other “Sal Mubarak” (i.e. happy new year)
The fifth day of the diwali is Bhai Dooj, the time to honour the brother-sister relationship. On this day, sisters invite their brothers and their family to their homes and treat them with delicacies. In turn, brothers offer them with gifts and sweets. Legends have it that in the Vedic era, Lord Yamaraj (the God of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day and blessed her with a boon that if brothers visit their sisters on this day then they will be liberated from all their sins. Since then it is a tradition that brothers visit their sisters on this day and the sisters sweeten their mouths with variety of sweets. The celebration of the Bhai Dooj marks the end of the five days long festivities of Diwali.
For the benefit of my American brothers and sisters:
US President Barack Obama has joined the this grand movement by participating in ceremonial Diwali lamp at white house. Although it was Bush era back in 2003 when Diwali celebration began at white house, Obama was the first American president who had fortunate opportunity to personally inaugurate the ceremony.
Finally, for the geeks in Austin, there is great opportunity to personally attend the celebration and thereby know more about the festival. Barsanadham temple is celebrating grand festival on this Saturday, Oct, 17th 2009 beginning at 5:00 PM. Here is the published schedule:
5:00 pm Dinner prasad
6:00 pm Temple tour (in prayer hall)
7:00 pm Temple tour (in prayer hall)
7:30 pm Temple program – State Representatives & community leaders lighting the dias ceremony, kirtan, pravachan, arti
9:00 pm Grand fireworks display
9:30 pm Ras Garba – Live garba singers: Sur Sangam of Hurst, TX
Address: Barsana Dham
(SW of Austin on FM 1826, 7 miles from Hwy 290)
400 Barsana Rd.
Austin, TX 78737
(512)288-7180
I am there along with my friends and family. Be there and be part of “The Light”.