We all know what Diwali is – the most important festival of Vaishnavite Hindus who celebrate the return of the popular king Rama from his 14 year exile to the forest, during which his wife was abducted by Ravana, and Rama killed Ravana and released his wife from captivity. Such is the popularity of Rama even today that it is hard to find a gathering of Hindus in which multiple persons are not named after him. He must have been immensely loved by his people in those ancient times, which is why they chose to celebrate his return with a big festival and ensured that all posterity of theirs does the same.
Diwali is typically celebrated by placing rows of oil lamps on ledges and the railings of the houses, making them look great and beautiful. In fact the proper Sanskrit word for Diwali is “Deepavali”, which literally means “row of lamps”. Hindus also express joy by bursting firecrackers in the evening. This is one day on which just about every Hindu household buys and bursts firecrackers. Children eagerly wait for Diwali to be able to do so.
Of course, there is also the Hindu ritual of worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this day, along with Lord Ganesha. It is the Hindus’ way of inviting the Goddess to their homes, which is meant to bring wealth because Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth in the Hindu pantheon. The ritual itself consists of placing the idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha on a platform, ritually washing them with water and Panchamrit, clothing them in new “clothes”, and then offering them fruit, sweets and other items. All the acts are accompanied by chanting of sacred mantras.
But there is more to Diwali than the return of King Rama from exile and Lakshmi-Ganesha poojan. And in this article, I am outlining some of the lesser known facts about Diwali.
Do we know, for instance, that Diwali is celebrated in a major way in many countries outside India? Apart from Nepal, where it is the biggest five day festival like India, Diwali is a holiday in Pakistan also. Though the holiday was granted there to the miniscule minority of Hindus, even Muslims also celebrate Diwali to this day. In many other countries, from Australia to USA, from Fiji to Mauritius, Diwali was taken by Hindu expatriates and now it has become a major local festival in those countries also.
Moreover, Diwali is not just the day of Rama’s return to his birthplace. Diwali is also the day on which Pandavas returned from their thirteen years of exile. Indeed, Diwali would appear to be the happy day of return of popular Hindus to their home city. Perhaps this is the reason Hindus find it so important to be in their home town on this day.
Other legends associated with Diwali are:
1. This is the day the critical dialogue took place between Yama and Nachiketa, which is one of the cornerstones of Hindu thought and philosophy. The wonderful dialogue about the nature of death is narrated in Katha Upanishad and reading it will connect you to the finest in Hindu philosophy.
2. The day immediately prior to main Diwali is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi in many parts of the Indian subcontinent. Legend says that on this day Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura, who was infamous for tyrannical rule and mistreatment of women.
3. It is said that Goddess Lakshmi appeared first on the day of Diwali. That is the reason the worship of Lakshmi has special significance when Hindus celebrate Diwali.
4. Two days after Diwali is Bhai Dooj, the special day of meeting and expression of love between brother and sister. It is said that on this day, Lord Yama (God of death) visited his sister Yamuna. He gave a boon to her that whoever visits her on this day will attain Moksha (liberation). Then on, a tradition came about that brothers visit their sisters on this day.
Diwali is indeed a wonderful festival. The rows of lights / lamps give a wonderful feeling of peace and happiness. The gaiety all around is infectious. The colorful attire and Rangoli are a sight to behold. So this time, when you celebrate Diwali, remember that it is a happy day of homecoming, and also remember our great ancestors who make us remember our great men, and through them the great values inherent in our culture.
