Diwali - Chase Away the Evil, Welcome the Good

November 12, 2012

Deepavali (Diwali, Divali or Deepavali ) also known as the festival of lights is an Indian festival that brings a series of festivities with it. The feast symbolizing the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word “Deepavali” refers to rows of diyas or clay lamps. This is one of the most popular festivals in the Hindu calendar. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. It celebrates the victory of goodness over evil and light over darkness. People are cleaning their houses and wear new cloths and share sweets, people enjoy this festival by playing, bursting crackers, feasting, dancing and making of crafts like star and goodudeepa as well as cooking special meals. This festival falls on the last 2 days of the dark half of karmic (Oct-Nov). It commences on the 13 the day of the dark half of karthik, followed the next day by the Narak Chavdas the 14th day and by Deepavali proper on the 15th day.

India is a land of diverse culture and traditions as there are hundreds of festivals celebrated, the Diwali festival holds a special place for all people of the world in general & Hindus in particular. It is one of the most auspicious and grand occasion celebrated with great zeal and warmth among all races & religions in India, not only from religious but also from aesthetic aspects of this festival. People indulge themselves in a number of activities to utilize their holidays in the best possible way. More to say even in the past years Deepavali was celebrated in the White House, USA.

Diwali is a five day long festival and for some it is 3 days. Each day being significant in its own terms.The celebrations commence on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdashi and culminate on Kartika shudha vijaya, the first day of this festival is called “Dhan Trayodashi or Dhanteras” wherein people worship Goddess lakshmi and purchase utensils made of silver. The second day of Diwali is called Narak chaturdashi which is popular as “Chhoti Diwali” , the third day of Diwali which is also called “Badi Diwali” is the main day of the celebrations of the festival. People perform lakshmi Puja (Worship of Goddess lakshmi) on this day they offer prayers to her. To bless them with wealth and prosperity.

The fourth day of Diwali is devoted to Govardhan Pooja (Worship of Lord Govardhan Pavat). The fifth or the last day of the Diwali is” Bhai Dooj”, the time to honor the brother – sister relationship, bursting crackers, social gatherings, exchange of greetings/sweets and gifts with the loved ones are also part of the festival. People following Hinduism offer prayers and worship their favorite deity, worshipping of Goddess lakshmi, worship of Lord Ganesha, worship of mother Kali worship of Chitragupta and worship of Govardhan pavat is considered very auspicious for the occasion.

Deepavali celebrations take place in many countries in the world. On the first day of the Diwali people pray and having a special breakfast made of many different foods. The Hindu Goddess Lakshmi’s statue and images are carried through the streets in procession. There are various legends and stories associated with the Diwali festival. The story of Bali emergence of Laxmi, Krishna narakasur fight, victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and many more. Dipa lights (also called Diwali Diyas), kankils, ghee lamps or Parvati Ganesha lamps) made of clay, fueled with oil from coconuts, mustarad ghee the wick made of cotton wool – are placed outside of houses, on floors and doorways. During Diwali festival doorways are hung with torans of mango leaves and merigolds. Deepavali meals are being served and enjoyed by Hindus, Sikhs, jains & Buddhist alike, on the day of Diwali people exchange gifts, bursting fire crackers, lighting fireworks, colorful sparklers and bonfires and having festive meals with other religious people. Diwali melas (Fairs) are held throughout India and the celebrations abroad. The Indian festival of lights takes place after the mansoon season has finished and the weather is nice and pleasant.

The festival is special for the children as they buy firecrackers from pocket money or collected money from parents and enjoy the occasion with celebrating of firecrackers along with all family & other religious groups of faiths. They also wear new clothes and exchange special homemade sweets and eatables.

Waking up during the Brahmamuhurtha (at 4 a.m.) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work and spiritual advancement.  On this day Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. The homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated by night with earthen oil-lamps. The best and finest illuminations are to be seen in Bombay and Amritsar. The famous Golden Temple at Amritsar is lit in the evening with thousands of lamps placed all over the steps of the big tank. Vaishnavites celebrate the Govardhan Puja and feed the poor on a large scale.

He who Himself sees all but whom no one beholds, who illumines the intellect, the sun, the moon and the stars and the whole universe but whom they cannot illuminate, He indeed is Brahman. He is the inner Self. Celebrate the real Deepavali by living in Brahman, and the eternal bliss of the soul. The sun does not shine there, nor do the moon and the stars, nor do lightnings shine and much less fire. All lights of the world cannot be compared even to a ray of the inner light of the Self. Merge yourself in these lights and enjoy the supreme Deepavali.

In a happy mood of great rejoicing village fold move about freely, mixing with one another without any reserve, all enmity being forgotten. People embrace one another with love. Deepavali is a great unifying force. Those with keen inner spiritual ears will clearly hear the voice of the sages, “O children of God! Unite, and love all”. The vibrations produced by the greetings of love which fill the atmosphere are powerful enough to bring about a change of heart in every man woman in the world. That heart has considerably hardened, and only a continuous celebration of Deepavali in every home can rekindle in us the urgent need of turning away from the ruinous path of hatred.

Many Deepavali festivals have come and gone. Yet the hearts of the vast majority are as dark as the night of the moon. The house is lit with lamps, but the heart is full of the darkness of ignorance. O man! Wake up from the slumber of ignorance. Realize the constant and eternal light of the Soul which neither rises nor sets, through meditation and deep enquiry.

May all attain full inner illumination! May the supreme light of lights enlighten your understanding! May all attain the inexhaustible spiritual wealth of the Self! May you all prosper gloriously on the material as well as spiritual planes!

Wishing all the readers in particular and to everyone a very Happy Deepavali ! May God bless all.

Please note the writer is a fan of this great festival of Deepavali and his birthday falls on during the festivities of Deepavali.

 

Alban D'Souza Archives:


 

Compiled by Alban D'Souza, Udyavar
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Comment on this article

  • Alban D' Souza, Udyavara Mumbai Doha Qatar

    Tue, Nov 13 2012

    Thanks Dr.Urban for your good comments on this article. As your brother I appreciate and being a Doctorate in Science your humble nature and great ideology of belief in Unity in diversity and faith in God and one another and genorosity is noteworthy. God bless.

  • raghavendra, udupi

    Tue, Nov 13 2012

    ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಎಂದರೆ ದೀಪಗಳ ಹಬ್ಬ. ಕತ್ತಲಿನಿಂದ ಬೆಳಕಿನೆಡೆಗೆ ಕೊಂಡೊಯ್ಯುವ ಬೆಳಕಿನ ಹಬ್ಬವಾಗಿರುವುದರಿಂದಲೇ ಸರ್ವರಿಗೂ ಆನಂದದಾಯಕ ಹಬ್ಬ. ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಾದ ಬಲಿ-ವಾಮನನ ಕಥೆ ಯಾರಿಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ ? ಬಲಿಯನ್ನು ಸಂಹರಿಸಿದ ವಾಮನರೂಪೀ ವಿಷ್ಣು ನಾಡಿನ ಸಮಸ್ತ ಜನತೆಗೂ ಮುಕ್ತಿ ನೀಡಿದ ಹಬ್ಬವೇ ದೀಪಾವಳಿ.

    ಕತ್ತಲೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರಜ್ಞಾಪೂರ್ವಕವಾಗಿ ದೂರಕ್ಕೆ ಅಟ್ಟಿ ಎಲ್ಲ ದಿಕ್ಕುಗಳಿಂದಲೂ ಬೆಳಕನ್ನು ಹೀರಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಹಬ್ಬ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕತ್ತಲೆಯೆಂದರೆ ಕೇವಲ ಭೌತಿಕ ಅಂಧಕಾರವಲ್ಲ. ಕತ್ತಲೆಗೆ ನೂರು ಮುಖ. ಅಜ್ಞಾನ, ಆಲಸ್ಯ, ಆನಾರೋಗ್ಯ, ದಾರಿದ್ರ, ನಿರಾಶೆ....ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಕತ್ತಲೆಯ ಅವತಾರಗಳೇ. ಇವಲ್ಲದೆ ಅಹಂಕಾರ,

  • Alban D' Souza, Udyavara Mumbai Doha Qatar

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Thanks Mr. S. Shetty! for your good comments. I always try to follow my faith but at the same time wanted to know other faith in a better way.You are welcome and your encouragement is great. Let us live in harmony celebrating all the festivals together.

  • Peter Pereira, Pune

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Happy Diwali to all Hindu brothers and sisters. May this festival of light bring peace, love, understanding and unity among all Indians irrespective of religion.

  • ISMAIL.K.PERINJE, PERINJE-YANBU/KSA

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Wishing all my friends in DAIJIWORLD A VERY HAPPY DEEPAVALI.

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    BELAKINA HABBA SAMASTA JANARIGU SHUBHA TARALI...HAPPY DEEPAVALI..

  • rajesh, kuwait

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Dear All ,

    May The Lamps Of Joy, Illuminate Your Life And Fill Your Days With The Bright Sparkles Of Peace,
    Mirth And Goodwill. I Wish You a Very Happy Deepawali !!! May God Bless You!!!

    Wishing You Happy Diwali

  • Daniel, Mangalore

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Happy Deepavali to all. Dear Alban D'Souza, Udyavar you done a wonderful act by putting in words. It is the days old tradition of INDIA,joining all together in the celebrations/festivals of each others faith. Let us continue....

  • RGHU, MANGALORE

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    May This Diwali Be As Bright As Ever.
    May This Diwali Bring Joy, Health And Wealth To You.
    May The Festival Of Lights Brighten Up You And Your Near And
    Dear Ones Lives.
    May This Diwali Bring In U The Most Brightest And Choicest
    Happiness And Love You Have Ever Wished For.
    May This Diwali Bring You The Utmost In Peace And Prosperity.
    May Lights Triumph Over Darkness.
    May Peace Transcend The Earth.
    May The Spirit Of Light Illuminate The World.
    May The Light That We Celebrate At Diwali Show Us The Way And
    Lead Us Together On The Path Of Peace And Social Harmony
    “Wish U A Very Happy Diwali” .

  • Jagdish, Riyadh/Kaup

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    May This Diwali be as bright as ever.
    May this Diwali bring joy, health and wealth to you.
    May the festival of lights brighten up you and your near and dear ones lives.
    May this Diwali bring in u the most brightest and choicest happiness and love you have ever Wished for.
    May this Diwali bring you the utmost in peace and prosperity.
    May lights triumph over darkness.
    May peace transcend the earth.
    May the spirit of light illuminate the world.
    May the light that we celebrate at Diwali show us the way and lead us together on the path of peace and social harmony
    “WISH U A VERY HAPPY DIWALI”

  • Raj, Udupi

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Festival Of Lights will bring Happiness to each and everyone.
    Lets celebrate Indian National Festival Deepawali by helping poor and needy.

  • Naveen D'souza, Valencia-Kuwait

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Wishing you Happy Deepavali To You All Daijiworld Readers & And Your Family.

  • Allen, Mangalore

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    A very happy Diwali to all. Let this festival of Lights bring peace, harmony,happiness and prosparity in our lives.

  • Amin Bhoja, Patte / Riyadh

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Thank you Mr Alban D'Souza
    It is the festival of Lights over Darkness and the Goodness over the Evils.In this occasion
    I Want Wish to all my Dear Friends
    A Happy Diwali and a year of prosperous.

  • Dr Urban D'Souza, Professor School of Medicine, Udyavar/Malaysia

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Unity in diversity is the motto of peace loving South Canara people. The very fact of Alban D'Souza highlighting the importance of Deepavali festival is a live testimony of our Karavali people towards our love to one another irrespective of religion and caste. When our united spirit continues, the dark is already chased away. Let the festival of light be an eye-opener for all of us to live in harmony, peace and unity irrespective of any religion. Let us be first human and Indian than, Christian, Hindu or Muslim. Very informative article on the festival of lights and congratulate Alban D'Souza who is also my elder brother. Happy Diwali to all brothers and sisters

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Very good compilation by Dear Alban D'Souza, Udyavar. Thank you “Daiji and Alban” for your most valuable info drafted in depth to know the Diwali Festival. Dear Alban, being a devoted Christian, still you know much more about Hindu Tradition, Culture and Festivals. I wish all our devoted people “A Very Happy Diwali”

  • Nishar, Mangalore / Dubai

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    ** WISHING U ALL TO HAVE BLESSED DAYS AHEAD, VERY HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS. (***PLEASE TAKE CARE WITH CRACKERS**)

  • Valerian Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Deepavali is feast symbolizing the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness.
    Let the light illuminate minds of our people, remove every form of evil, hatred, un-forgiveness, corruption of MONEY & MINDS.
    Let the light shine upon everybody in service of one another and the nation. Let there be a NEW CHAPTER.
    HAPPY DEEPAVALI TO ONE AND ALL.

  • S.M. Nawaz Kukkikatte, udupi

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Wish You Happy Diwali to all my Friends,


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