Diwali: the festival that ignites the fire of knowledge
Monday, November 1, 2021
Diwali is the one festival that is celebrated across all parts of India and anywhere Indians reside. It is a festival that shows how such a large and diverse nation can still stand strong after many invasions and looting. Diwali is a representation of the oneness Indians have with the nation and with each other.
The festival of lights, as it’s popularly called has always represented the victory of good over evil. Celebrated on the thirteenth or fourteenth day of the darkest half of the Kartika Masa is a depiction of how light can shine even in the darkest of nights. This day has witnessed many historic events in India. It is on this day that Lord Rama had reached Ayodhya with his wife Mata Sita and brother Lakshmanan after their fourteen years of exile. In the north of India, this day is celebrated as Diwali, and Diya’s are lit on this day to express the happiness of the people on return of their king.
Another legend goes that this was the day that Lord Krishna had defeated the demon narakasura and freed the gopikas from his capture. Many people from the south of India celebrate this day as Diwali. The people from different parts of the country celebrate Diwali for different reasons but all these represent the triumph of knowledge over ignorance. This is a festival of happiness, joy, and celebration of life.
According to a very popular belief, it was on the day of Diwali that Vamana the 5th incarnation of Lord Vishnu rescued Goddess Lakshmi from the prison of Bali. this is the reason that Goddess Lakshmi is invoked during Diwali. Rangolis are drawn in front of the households to welcome her with happiness and beauty. Rangoli is a very special way to direct her into our homes, people draw beautiful patterns with colored rice powder and keep their homes clean to invoke the Lakshmi in their homes. It is a representation of happiness and liveliness in the family. It is also believed to drive away bad luck with it. People also hang lanterns outside their houses during Diwali, it is believed that by doing so the spirits of the dead relatives visit them to wish them luck and offer their blessings. It is also considered that if the lanterns are not hung it can bring bad luck into the family.
With its different believes and ways to celebrate this magical festival, it is a very spiritual festival too, it reminds us of the importance of conquering the demon of ignorance in us with the light of knowledge. The diya that is used in Diwali is a clear representation of exactly that. This festival reminds us to lure our inner light of truth to light this world and enlightens the soul. We will always be grateful for land that reminds us to look inwards and find ourselves with its festival. Diwali can be summed in a verse from the Vedas “asatoma sadgamaya thamasoma jyothirgamaya mrityoma amritam gamaya om shanti shanti shanti hi” From ignorance lead me to truth, from darkness lead me to light, from death lead me to immortality om peace peace peace. Happy Diwali to all.
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