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Indians celebrate many festivals in a year. Which is hardly surprising, as it is a land of many gods and cultures. The same festival may also be celebrated differently in different regions. Most of the religious festivals of the Hindus celebrate the victory of good over evil, and Diwali, also desribed as the Festival of Lights, is no exception. During Diwali, Hindus light diyas inside and outside their homes to symbolize that light always overcomes darkness.
Legends of Diwali
Return of Lord Rama
Diwali has many legends around it. To most people, it commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over the demon Ravana. To welcome him back home, the people of Ayodhya lit lamps all along the path he would take, as it was a new moon night. With the return of Rama, the darkness that had enveloped the kingdom after he left came to an end.
Lord Krishna kills Narakasura
Diwali is also the day Lord Krishna killed the demon, Narakasura. This is how southerners perceive this festival. Narakasura got a boon from Brahma that he would die only at the hand of his mother. Narakasura thought she would never kill him as she loved him. But his mother took birth as Krishna’s wife, Satyabhama. When Narakasura wounded Krishna in battle, she killed him. Before he died, Narakasura requested that his death should not be mourned but celebrated like a festival.
Birth of Goddess Lakshmi
On the day of Diwali, people perform Lakshmi Pooja. Lakshmi is the goddess of fortune, wealth, and abundance. The story goes that once, Lord Indra’s arrogance made Lakshmi leave heaven in a huff and live in the Milky ocean. Without Lakshmi’s presence, the world became bleak, and the gods lost their power and wealth. After the demons and gods churned the Milky ocean for 1,000 years, Lakshmi was reborn. She emerged from the ocean, and the world was restored to its former glory. So, on Diwali, people light lamps to guide the goddess into their homes in the hope that she will bring good fortune and prosperity with her.
Return of King Bali
The fourth day of Diwali is Balipratipada. This celebrates King Bali’s return to earth. Bali, a powerful king, ruled the 3 worlds. The gods wanted Lord Vishnu to get rid of him. Vishnu took birth as Vamana, a dwarf, and appeared before Bali. He sought as much land as he could cover in 3 paces. Bali granted his wish. But then, Vishnu became huge in size, covered Bali’s kingdom in just two paces, and with the third, pushed him down into the underworld. But as he was a good king, Vishnu allowed Bali to return to earth for one day every year. This day is said to fall on Diwali.
Other Myths
Diwali was also the day when the Pandavas, who were in exile, returned to their kingdom. The festival is also related to Goddess Kali. After killing the demons, Kali could not control her blood lust and went on a killing spree until Lord Shiva put a stop to it. Diwali is said to be the day Kali repented her act.
The Jains also celebrate Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira attained Nirvana. The Sikh version of Diwali is Bandhi Chhor Divas, when Guru Hargobind was released from prison.
How is Diwali Celebrated?
People sweep and mop their homes thoroughly and decorate them in preparation for the Diwali festival. They also buy new clothes and jewelry and exchange gifts and sweets.
In North India, people play card games before or after Diwali.
People do not observe fasts during Diwali festivities. On the contrary, they tend to feast and indulge themselves in sweets like laddoo, barfi, kaju katli, pedha, halwa, etc., and savories like samosas, aloo tikki, bhajjis, etc. Non-veg food, too, may be part of the menu.
The main menu includes both vegetarian and non-veg dishes. The sweets are mostly milk-based and are offered to the gods as well.
5 days of Diwali Celebrations
Diwali is a 5-day festival. It begins with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj.
On Day 1 or Dhanteras, people clean their homes thoroughly. They also buy gold or kitchen equipment, as it supposedly brings good fortune.
On Day 2 or Narak Chaturdasi, people use lanterns and clay lamps to decorate their homes and draw rangolis on the floor with colored powders or sand.
Day 3 is the main day. People wear new clothes and worship at temples. In the evening, they perform Lakshmi Pooja. This is followed by bursting firecrackers and feasting.
On Day 4, Govardhan Pooja is performed. This is said to be the first day of the new year. People meet friends and relatives and exchange gifts and greetings.
On Day 5, people celebrate Bhai Dooj. Brothers visit their married sisters, who give them a warm welcome and treat them to a delicious meal.
Diwali Greetings in different Indian languages
Tamil: எல்லோருக்கும் இனிய தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்! Anaivarukkum iniya Deepavali nal vazhthukkal.
Malayalam: എല്ലാവര്ക്കും സന്തോഷവും ആഹ്ലാതവും നിറഞ്ഞ ദീപാവലി ആശംസകള്. Ellavarkkum santhoshavum ahlathavum niranja Deepavali ashamsakal
Telugu: Andariki Deepawali shubakankshalu
Kannada: ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ನದ ಹಾರ್ದಿಕ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು ಮೋಜಿನದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಹಾರ್ಧಿಕ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು DeepavaLi habbada hardika shubhashayagaLu.
Sanskrit: शुभ दीपावली । सर्वे भवान्तु सुखिनः Shubhah Deepavalihi.. Sarve bhavantu sukhinah
Konkani: तुन्का सग्गाठंकयी दीपावली ची हार्दिक शुभेच्छा । Antu asile pura lokaku amgel kadechan Deepavali parbeche shubhashay.
Gujarati: Diwali ni hardik shubechao ne nutan varshabhinandan
Marwari: थे लोंगा ने दिवाली की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं. Ram Ram sa Diwali ra jualda karu sa,aapne or aapre sagla pariwar ne diwali ra ramasama karu sa.
Punjabi: त्वानूं सब नूं दिवाली दी लख लख बधाइयाँ। Twahnu Diwali diyan lakh-2 badhaiyan!!
Marathi: तुम्हा सर्वाना सुखी अणि आनंददायी अश्या दिवाळीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा Tumha sarvana, sukhi ani aanandmayi asha ya Diwlicha hardik shubbhecha.
Bhojpuri: Raurake Diwali ke badhayi ho.
Bangla: Sakalkeyi Diwali priti o antarik subhecha. Asha kori, ei Dibas apnar jibone Anando niye ashe
English: Wishing you all, a very happy and fun-filled Diwali. Happy Diwali.
Hindi: आप सभी को खुशियों और उल्लास से भरी दिवाली की शुभ-कामनाएं ! Aap sab ko prasannata evam anand se paripoorn Diwali ki shubhkaamnaayein!
Diwali 2022 Dates
· 21st October 2022 - Friday - Ekadashi - Vasu Baras
· 22nd October 2022 - Saturday - Dwadashi - Dhantrayodashi/Dhanteras
· 23rd October 2022 - Sunday - Trayodashi - Kali Chaudas
· 24th October 2022 - Monday - Chaturdashi - Narak Chaturdashi/Lakshmi Puja/Diwali Puja
· 25th October 2022 - Tuesday - Amavasya - Diwali Snan/Diwali Devpuja
· 26th October 2022 - Wednesday - Pratipada - Govardhan Puja, Bali Pratipada, Gujarati New Year, Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej, Yama Dwitiya.
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