Diwali. It’s a Festival that glows and lights up the Earth, spreading joy in every heart. It is a festival that transforms the world into a land of countless luminaries. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, has all the enchantment, glory, and magnificence to illuminate our thoughts and emotions while also encouraging much-needed peace, love, and fraternity in society. It is a Festival that unites all religions, homes, and hearts. Diwali has a profound spiritual significance; “Awareness of the Inner Light”, which means, it is a celebration of the waking and understanding of our inner light, which has the capacity to overcome darkness and remove all difficulties in life. On this auspicious day, the lighting of a diya is part of the celebrations and traditions. The warm, bright glow created by a diya is considered positive – it represents enlightenment, prosperity and wisdom. Diya symbolises the power of light over darkness. It further brings in hope to a lot of people implying good will always win over evil and darkness in one’s life will be replaced by light. Hence, this hope lights up every home and heart, bringing immense positivity and faith.The Diwali celebration reminds us all that life is more than just a journey; it is a never-ending quest seeking truth and wisdom. The Diwali Festival, which is a mix of spirituality, religion, culture, and social ideals, also brings people together.Diwali begins with the first day known as ‘Dhanteras’ or the worship of wealth. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this day and there is a custom to purchase something precious. People clean and decorate their homes. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali. People wake up early and apply aromatic oils on them before taking a bath. This is said to remove all sins and impurities. They wear new clothes, offer Puja and enjoy by lighting diyas.The third day is the main Diwali festival. Lakshmi Puja is performed on this day. Goddess Lakshmi is believed to enter homes and bless people with good fortune. Tiny oil diyas, candles and electric lights are placed around the house. Families exchange gifts and gather together.The fourth day is Govardhan Puja or Padva. It is the day when Lord Krishna defeated Indra by lifting the huge Govardhan Mountain. People make a small hillock, usually of cow dung, symbolising Govardhan and worship it.The fifth and last day is Bhai Dooj. On this day sisters invite their brothers for a lavish meal and perform a ‘tilak’ ceremony.North Indians believe that the return of Lord Rama from his exile to Ayodhya. To welcome the homecoming of Lord Rama along with his wife, Sita and brother, Laxman, everybody lights the house with rows of diyas. While in South India it signifies the victory of Lord Krishna over demon Narakasura. Ultimately both remind us of the necessity to destroy evil forces and strengthen divine forces.In Eastern India, many believe that keeping their doors open on the occasion of Diwali will allow the entry of Goddess Lakshmi in their house. So, every individual lights their whole house with diyas and lamps. In Bengal, Diwali is celebrated as Kali Puja. The people of Odisha worship the ancestors in heaven on the auspicious festival of Diwali. They burn jute sticks to seek blessings and receive luck on this day. While in western India, a few days ahead of the festival, the markets in this region are flocked with several diyas, lamps, firecrackers. Maharashtra, the traditional Diwali food remains ‘Faral’ popularly called by Maharashtrians. Gujarat celebrates Dhanteras on a grand scale. In many households, women apply kajal made from the flames of the diyas to bring in some fortune and prosperity. Temptations for sweets: Diwali is a celebration where sweets tempt us all day. If there is one holiday that boasts of an abundance of sweets, it is without a doubt Diwali, which is just incomplete without them. Sweet boxes are kindly distributed between friends and families, spreading love and unity among one another. Diwali festivities are no longer limited to India, but are celebrated with the same joyful spirit by Indians all over the world. It promotes fraternity by encouraging people to get together and celebrate the occasion irrespective of their background.Diwali is the festival bringing joy and smiles from people from all over, gathered at their separate locations with their family and friends lighting up the entire nation. Everyone lighting lamps inside and outside their homes, regardless of where they live in India, is a sign of unity and prosperity, and is like ‘Aarthi’ for our Mother India and a beacon to the entire world, showing how bright our country is and how bright the entire world can be if we all supported each other and lit each other’s hearts by helping those in need and indeed bringing light into each other’s lives.The Divine light shines within and around us. Let this Diwali bring happiness and joy to all mankind. Let the Lights of Happiness spread throughout the world. Leading from darkness to light, wishing everyone a very happy and safe Diwali.
Diwali: Leading from darkness to light.
