Today is Diwali also popularly known as Deepavali
or the Festival of Lights. To those who don’t know what it is let me put it
this way. It is the Christmas of India. This ancient Hindu festival is
celebrated every autumn in a grand way. Weeks before Diwali the mood sets in
and children are happy about the school holidays that they get and new clothes,
toys and crackers. For elders, it is the time to meet and greet and of course,
eat. The festival spans over five day period and the atmosphere across the country
is quite electrifying as people are glad about being with their loved ones and
spending some great moments.
While India is quite diverse in terms of
culture, traditions and even religion Diwali acts like a single grand festival
that bonds all of India together. I believe Diwali is the only festival that is
celebrated throughout India covering more states than any other festival. It
has cultural significance in many different religions and cultures and
therefore everybody is able to associate with it.
Religious Significance
For Hindus, Diwali marks the day when Lord
Rama, his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman returning home after 14
years of exile. This comes from Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic. There is a
similar story from Mahabharata, another ancient Hindu epic that talks about the
return of Pandavas after 12 years of exile. In some parts of India, Diwali is a
celebration of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Jains in
India believe that Lord Mahavira, the last Jain Tirthankar (holy man) of this
era attained moksh (salvation) on this day. There are many other theories that
go around Diwali depending on different states and cultures that we come
across.
Shopping Time
Diwali is the time to shop and billions
across India get busy with purchasing new clothes, household appliances, home
refurbishments, gifts, gold jewelry and automobiles. Since the festival is
closely associated with Goddess Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity many
believe that it is a good sign to invest and spend money. Gambling is also
considered to be a way to invite more money into your home. Shopping malls and
retail stores bring out their new stock and offer discounts and offers that
tempt consumers to shop more. These days the competition has just moved on to
the next level as online retailers like Flipkart, Amazon and Snapdeal have
joined the competition driving the product price down.
Firecrackers
Diwali is incomplete without firecrackers
and therefore many temporary stalls sprung up all over the country to make
money out of this short term business. In cities, you will find firecracker
stalls in almost every block. As a kid, I have always loved Diwali for fire
crackers. I would go shopping for fire crackers with my mother and select from
wide range of fire crackers available. However, over a period of time I
realized that it can lead to air pollution, noise pollution and even burn
injuries so I no longer involve in it. I do lit oil lamps outside my home to
celebrate Diwali in a peaceful way.
Diwali Lamps
Traditional Diwali lamps are usually orange
and yellow in color. However, people are now sort of bored with the same old
design. Hence, today you will find wide range of designs and colors being
infused in the Diwali lamps. Like firecrackers, Diwali lamps are very much in
demand for these five days so price bargain is tough, but they are not that
expensive either. I believe some Diwali lamps are available at Rs. 150 to 200
and above so that’s around $3 and above. People across India decorate their
homes with lights and Diwali lamps on their windows which makes the entire city
shimmer in light of orange and yellow.
Oil Lamps
Indians might be stepping quickly into the
new age technological world, but at heart we are still firmly rooted in our
culture and traditions. This is why you will still find oil lamps lit outside
every household during Diwali. The literal translation of the word Diwali means
“row of lamps”. In the earlier days, oil lamps were considered to be a symbol
of purity, goodness and good luck. It is also used to weaken the evil forces
around the house. The oil lamp outside every house door symbolizes the inner
spiritual light of each individual that must reflect outside as well. It also
stands for unity because everybody has similar pattern oil lamps symbolizing
social togetherness and bonding.
Rangolis
More than the firecrackers, I am more
passionate about watching women creating these beautiful handmade designs right
outside their home entrance that simply leaves you in awe. Females painstakingly
create patterns using the white chalk powder and then use color powder to bring
some life to it. These floor decorations are done right at the entrance to
welcome Goddess Lakshmi and guests. Some designs are small, some are large and
some designs are beyond the wildest imagination. The below rangoli design was made at my work place at the reception area by 3 housekeeping girls.
Socializing
Diwali is also a time to be with loved
ones. It’s a national holiday, but many take extra holidays at work to stay
away from their hectic schedule and visit their native places and family
members, friends and relatives. In cities, it is all about visiting friends and
families and offering sweets and dry fruits. Some families plan dine-out party
where they can have some great time together and talk over a delicious meal. Teenage
kids these days prefer to have their own private parties at some locations like
KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut and other international joints. Food and culture go
hand in hand. Diwali is the time to bring out some of the best Indian dishes on
the dinner table. Females prepare delicious meals for the family and the guests
and the regular normal dinner routine turns into a mini over-the-table-in-house
party.
No matter which God you believe and no
matter whichever religion you follow here in India, Diwali is a time of
celebration with your loved ones. It’s a mega party that sweeps the entire
nation into one collective fold. For me Diwali has always been a special
festival as I celebrate it with friends and loved ones. It gives me a feeling
that world is not too bad as we think. I see darkness disappearing as lights
from firecrackers and sparklers take over signifying the victory of good over
evil and hope over despair. Surprisingly, Diwali is also the only Hindu
festival that falls on a New Moon night which makes the firecrackers look more
spectacular.
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