Diwali An Ancient Festival for the Modern World. By Malini Bisen Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is celebrated every year on Amavasya, the fifteenth day of the Hindu month of Ashwin (October/November). It symbolizes Indiaís age-old culture and teaches Hindus to vanquish the ignorance that subdues humanity and drive away the darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. Even today in the modern world, Diwali projects the rich and glorious Indian past and shows how to uphold the true values of life. The term "Diwali" is a corruption of the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" – “deepa” meaning “light” and “avali” meaning “row.” Indeed, illumination constitutes the festival’s main attraction. Every Hindu home, from the hut of the poor to the mansion of the rich, is alit with the orange glow of twinkling diyas (small earthen lamps) to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Multicolored designs, floral decorations and fireworks lend a sense of picturesqueness and grandeur to this holiday, which heralds joy, mirth and happiness in the ensuing year. The festival is celebrated on a grand scale in almost all regions of India and looked upon as the beginning of a new year. Countries like Guyana, Thailand, Trinidad, and Malaysia observe it as well, though in their own ways. ____________________________ Every Hindu home, from the hut of the poor to the mansion of the rich, is alit with the orange glow of twinkling diyas (small earthen lamps) to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. ____________________________ The first day, Dhanteras, falls on the thirteenth day of Ashwin. The word “dhan” means “wealth.” This day has great importance for the rich merchant community of Western India. Houses and business premises are renovated and decorated and entrances enlivened by lovely traditional motifs to welcome the goddess Lakshmi. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the house. Believing this day to be auspicious, women purchase gold, silver or new utensils. In villages cattle are adorned and worshipped by farmers, as they form their main source of income. The second day is called Narka-Chaturdashi and takes place on the fourteenth day of Ashwin. The story goes that after defeating Lord Indra, the demon king Narakasur, ruler of Pragjyotishpur (a province in southern Nepal), snatched away the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the mother goddess, and imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of the gods and saints in his harem. On the day before Narka-Chaturdashi, Lord Krishna killed the demon, freed the imprisoned damsels and recovered Aditi’s precious earrings. The womenfolk massaged scented oil over Krishna and gave him a bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since that time the custom of taking a bath before sunrise has become a traditional practice on this day, especially in the Indian state of Maharashtra. In Maharashtra as well, early morning baths with oil, "uptan" (gram flour paste) and fragrant powders are a must. All throughout the bathing ritual, deafening sounds of firecrackers and fireworks ensure that the children enjoy the bathing. Afterwards steamed vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed rice with curd are served. The third day of Diwali, also known by the name of Chopada-Puja, is devoted to the goddess Lakshmi. The strains of joyous-sounding bells and drums float from the temples as people invoke Lakshmi in a wondrous holy "pouring-in" of their hearts. This self-enlightenment is expressed through twinkling lamps that illuminate the palaces of the wealthy as well as the lowly abodes of the poor. It is believed that on this day Lakshmi walks through the green fields and loiters through the by-lanes showering her blessings on man for plenty and prosperity. Feasts are arranged and gifts exchanged on this day as colorfully dressed men, women and children go to temples and fairs to visit friends and relatives. The fourth day, called Padwa, marks the coronation of the legendary King Vikramaditya. This day is observed as “Annakoot,” meaning “mountain of food.” In temples following prayers and traditional worship, innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before the gods, after which devotees approach the mountain of food and take from it. ____________________________ It is believed that on this day Lakshmi walks through the green fields and loiters through the by-lanes showering her blessings on man for plenty and prosperity. ____________________________ The goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in every Hindu household and her blessings sought for success and happiness. This day is considered auspicious for starting a new venture. In many Hindu homes it is customary for the wife to put a red tilak (ceremonial dot) on her husband’s forehead, place garlands around his neck and pray for a long life for him. In appreciation, the husband gives his wife a costly gift as a symbol of the love and devotion between the couple. On this day newly married daughters and their husbands are invited for special meals and given presents. The fifth and final day of Diwali is known by the name of "Bhayya-Duj." As the legend goes, Yamraj, the god of death, visited his sister Yami on this particular day. Brother and sister ate, talked and enjoyed themselves to their hearts’ content. Since then, this day has been observed as a symbol of love between sisters and brothers. In today's world, when pressing everyday problems seem to overwhelm personal relationships, the celebration of this day is important in maintaining ties between siblings. Diwali on the whole has always been a festival with more social than religious connotations. It is a people-oriented occasion during which enmities are forgotten and families and friends meet, enjoy one anotherís company and establish closeness. As a festival of light and beauty, Diwali encourages artistic expression through home decorating, stage plays, speeches, singing and dancing, gift-making and cooking, thereby allowing the celebrants to discover new talents. As a result, innumerable communities with different cultures and customs mingle together to make Diwali celebrations a very happy occasion for all. The Indian poet Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore has so aptly put forth the true significance of Diwali in these beautiful lines: “The night is black Kindle the lamp of LOVE With thy life and devotion." This article first appeared in Bawarchi.com (www.bawarchi.com). This website: Copyright © 2004Dream World Media, LLC. / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in Urban Mozaik Magazine are not necessarily those of Urban Mozaik Magazine and the publisher cannot be held responsible for them. 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