“Ram! The light of light, the inner self light, shines always in your heart chamber. Sit still. Just close your eyes. Close your eyes. Remove senses. Fix the thoughts on this highest light and experience the true Deepavali by achieving the soul’s brightness.”
Diwali is India’s largest celebration of glory and joy. However, in different areas of the country the convictions and means of commemorating that event vary, but the spirit of the celebration is the same all around. For Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Nepaleses, the event has tremendous religious importance. In India, Diwali is becoming more a national celebration and most of the Indians celebrate it irrespective of faith. It is usually celebrated with the decoration, the fire cracks, the sparkling wines, sweets, the mouth-watering of other meals, the prayer of Gods and of Goddesses, the observance of religious rites and new clothes and the reception of wishes and presents. For Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Nepaleses, the event has tremendous religious importance. In India, Diwali is becoming more a national celebration and most of the Indians celebrate it irrespective of faith. It is usually celebrated with the decoration, the fire cracks, the sparkling wines, sweets, the mouth-watering of other meals, the prayer of Gods and of Goddesses, the observance of religious rites and new clothes and the reception of wishes and presents.
Lakshmi, a deity of light and riches, and the New Year and the Ramayana Story are celebrated at the event. The lamps and candles of Diwali are illuminated (inviting Goddess to a dwelling), festive activities are feasted, and presents are exchanged.
The festival of light is celebrated throughout different religions and regions in India. The Hindus believe that Diwali would reward her people with money and pleasure by Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of prosperity. The Jains celebrate their festival to commemorate the day Lord Mahavira reached Nirvana, the final of the 24 Tirthankaras. The Sikhs are celebrating the event as a
commemoration of their Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed in Gwalior on this day from the Mughal prison.The lively show of devotion and delight ranges from Kashmir to Varanasi to Goa Beach Destination. On this day, some burn devils, some float, and certain string flowers, and light up their dwellings. See how the event takes place in various parts of India.
Diwali is a festival that lasts 5 days. It begins with house and shop cleaning. People then begin to decorate them. Everything happens during that period – whether it is to wash the window curtains or to purify your fans or to paint the dwellings to eliminate those objects that are old and unneeded. On the last day, people begin to decorate their homes with colorfully lanterns, sunflowers, candles and rangolis on Diwali. During the evening. They wear new robes and worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi and share sweets with friends and family.
It is also an opportunity to visit and exchange presents with friends and family. Many residential companies now host Diwali celebrations, inviting all families to celebrate regardless of their faith.
DIWALI CELEBRATION IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA
NORTH INDIA-
Northern India’s Diwali’s religious importance is connected with Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile with Sita’s wife and Laxman’s brother. Since the month of Kartik was a new moon day, it was entirely dark. But, in order to welcome their home, the Ayodhya people shone with diyas and fireworks around the Kingdom and celebrated the event with great enjoyment and crackers. Also connected with the importance of the victory of good above evil was Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya. The traditions still exist today in the neighboring districts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar.
THE WAY OF CELEBRATION-
It is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil or of pureness and truth when Ram came back after Ravana had been overthrown in Lanka. Each year on Diwali the house of Lord Rama with lights, fireworks and joy is honoured. Every year, this old custom continues, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar. North India, the Diwali celebrations begin with Dussehra, where Ramlila, the narrative of the Ramayan is dramatically portrayed. The defeat of Ram (Good) by Ravana (Evil) continued for a few nights. The inhabitants of Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab also play gambling on the night of Diwali. In Punjab, the Sikhs themselves do not celebrate Diwali although they do participate in celebrations with candles and diyas and light their houses in their own right. On Diwali night the gurudwaras are lighted. Households are decked with candles, lights, diyas, bandhanwars and rangolis in Delhi, UP and other nearby places.
EASTERN INDIA-
In Eastern India, the essential traditions remain the same and encompass lights, candles and diyas as crackers break. Some folks open their doorways so Goddess Lakshmi can enter. The houses are shiny because of Goddess Lakshmi conviction that they are not entering a gloomy abode.
THE WAY OF CELEBRATION-
In Eastern India, Diwali celebrations especially in Western Bengal are the day on which the Divine Parvati assumed the shape of the Kali goddess to the monster, Bakrasura. The divine Kali is Goddess Durga’s tenth incarnation, symbolizing power and might. Kali Puja performs on the nights of Diwali in East India States. Rangolis traditionally created for Diwali is not rice paste, but red paste with diyas adorned and called alpona. There is a Bali ritual or sacrifice at the occasion in some regions. A goat is sacrificed to the goddess and is a very holy and fortunate ancient rite.
Also, the recollection of forefathers in that time as in Odisha is a prevalent subject through Eastern states in India. People carry light clay lamps and burn juice to illuminate the gloomy route purportedly taken by the ghosts of ancestors to return to paradise.
Lakshmi Puja is made early in West Bengal and Kali Puja is done in Diwali’s fervent form on Durga. Kali Puja is highly joyous when gatherings of friends and families decorate their homes with rangolis, candle rows are enlightened, new clothing is put in and improved pandals have been built, and crackers are exploding and the flames are showcased.
WESTERN INDIA-
Celebration in Gujarat- Western India has a major economic and trading relationship. A few days before Diwali, Diwali buyers flood Western India marketplaces. Guajarati’s construct colorful rangolis in their houses in the night before Diwali in Gujarat. In all the western Indian states, Rangolis is an important element of Diwali. Also footsteps are drawn to the goddess Laxmi. Homes are brilliantly illuminated on Diwali. Diwali’s new year for Guajarati’s. Any new business, the purchase of property, the establishment of offices, stores and significant celebrations like as marriages are regarded as favorable today. A diya lit with ghee is left in some households in Gujarat all night long. The next morning a flame is utilized to produce kajal that is applied to women’s eyes from this diya. This is a highly encouraging habit, and prosperity is expected to continue throughout the year. Diwali is also celebrated in Western India for five days like North India.
Celebration in Maharashtra- Four days are commemorated in Diwali in Maharashtra. Vasubaras is the first day and is held by the cows and calves Aarti. This means that the mother and the infant love themselves. The next day is celebrated like in other places, such Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanatera. Narakchaturdashi, on the third day, early in the morning, people take the olive oil bath and visit a temple. The Marathis will then be celebrated with a unique Diwali preparation made with delectable sweets like “karanji” and “ladoo” as well as spicy food such as “chakli” and “sev.” This festival is called Faral. Lakshmi Puja is celebrated on the fourth day, the major Diwali day.
SOUTHERN INDIA-
Celebration in Tamil Nadu- In the Tamil month of Aipasi (Thula month), Diwali is also celebrated, and ‘Naraka Chaturdashi’ thithi is also observed. The amavasai day goes by this day. In southern India, the primary day of the Diwali festival is Naraka Chaturdashi. The oven is cleaned and then coated with lime, one day before the main day. Religious symbols are pulled, filled with water, from the oven, and utilized for the oil bath on the main day. You wash and adorn your dwellings with kolam patterns, comparable to those of rangolis in northern India. Firecrackers burst and new clothing is part of the festivities. On a platter to be used on Diwali are kept crackers and new clothing. The celebrations begin with an oil bath before dawn on the Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi morning. Sweets will then be consumed, and new clothing will be donned. “Thalai Deepavali” is another unique ceremony practised in South India during Diwali. The first Diwali is spent on this day in the parents’ house of the bride’s.
Celebration in Andhra Pradesh- In several locations Harikatha or Lord Hari’s musical narrative is performed. The demon Narakasura was said to have been killed by Lord Krishna’s wife Satyabhama’s. Prayers are therefore presented to Satyabhama’s unique clay statues. The rest of the celebrations in other southern states is similar.
Celebration in Karnataka- The folks take an oil bath on the first day, the day of Ashwija Krishna Chaturdashi. There’s an assumption that after slaying Narakasura, Lord Krishna took a bath of oil to wash the blood from his body. Bali Padyami is Diwali’s third day when ladies are making colourful rangolis from cow dung in their dwellings. The legends of King Bali are being commemorated this day. These are Diwali’s two major days in Karnataka.
CONCLUSION
We must realize that the Deepavali celebration signifies lamp, love and prosperity and not pollution from firecrackers and garbage. That is why our modest work during the Deepavali festival may bring great improvements.
We are constantly eager to continue on in this festival. This Festival reminds us never to fear the dark since a tiny light may convert the dark into light, thus we should always be hopeful and cheerful in life. A symbol of cultural and social peace is the Diwali Festival. This celebration gives everybody delight. This Festival has led to the continuation of social harmony among the people.
Finally, Diwali’s five days are devoted, celebrated, shopped and enjoyed throughout the country. While some areas are famed for the lighting, others offer the greatest marketplaces to buy in Diwali. Wherever you are in India, you will certainly be delighted to celebrate Diwali with the same amount of fireworks and splendour as anyone in India.
BY- NAMRATA AHUJA
