Diwali

Diwali
Festival name	Diwali
Caption	Diwali lights in Mumbai
Observedby	Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists
Relatedto	Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kali, Durga

Diwali. The festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, is a significant event in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It is associated with the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, as well as other deities like Kali and Durga. The festival is also celebrated by the Tamil people in Tamil Nadu, the Telugu people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and the Marathi people in Maharashtra.

Introduction

Diwali is a five-day festival, typically celebrated between mid-October and mid-November, with the main festivities taking place on the third day. The festival is associated with the Ramayana, the ancient Hindu epic, and the return of Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. It is also linked to the Mahabharata, another significant Hindu epic, and the goddess Lakshmi, who is often depicted with Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other major cities in India, as well as in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries with significant Hindu and Sikh populations, such as United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.

History

The history of Diwali dates back to ancient India, with references to the festival found in the Puranas and other Hindu scriptures, such as the Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana. The festival is believed to have originated in the Vedic period, with the worship of Lakshmi and other deities, and was later influenced by the Buddhist and Jain traditions, particularly in Magadha and Gupta Empire. The festival was also celebrated by the Mughal Empire, particularly during the reign of Akbar, and was an important event in the Sikh Empire, founded by Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh. The festival has been celebrated by many notable figures, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi, in India and other countries, such as South Africa and United Kingdom.

Celebrations

The celebrations of Diwali typically begin with the cleaning and decoration of homes, often with diyas (earthen lamps), candles, and lights, as well as the worship of Lakshmi and Ganesha. The festival is also associated with the exchange of gifts, particularly sweets and clothing, and the distribution of prasad (offerings) to friends and family, often in temples and other places of worship, such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in many cities, including Varanasi, Jaipur, and Udaipur, and is an important event in the Indian calendar, along with other festivals like Holi and Navratri. The celebrations are also marked by the display of fireworks, often in public spaces, such as the India Gate in Delhi and the Marine Drive in Mumbai.

Mythology

The mythology surrounding Diwali is complex and varied, with different regions and communities having their own unique stories and legends, often associated with the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The most widely accepted myth is the return of Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile, which is celebrated as a victory of good over evil, and is often depicted in Hindu art and literature, such as the Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas. Other myths associated with the festival include the story of Lakshmi and Naraka, the demon king, and the legend of Krishna and the Gopis, which are often celebrated in theatrical performances and dance dramas, such as the Kathakali and Bharatanatyam. The festival is also associated with the worship of other deities, such as Durga and Kali, who are often depicted in Hindu iconography and art.

Regional_variations

The celebrations of Diwali vary significantly across different regions and communities, with unique customs and traditions, often influenced by the local culture and history. In North India, the festival is often associated with the worship of Lakshmi and Ganesha, while in South India, it is associated with the worship of Durga and Kali. The festival is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in East India, particularly in West Bengal and Odisha, where it is associated with the worship of Kali and Durga. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated with the worship of Lakshmi and Ganesha, and is an important event in the Gujarati calendar and the Marathi calendar. The festival is also celebrated in other countries, such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, where it is an important event in the Nepali calendar, the Sinhalese calendar, and the Malaysian calendar.

Cultural_significance

The cultural significance of Diwali is immense, with the festival being an important part of the Indian heritage and identity. The festival is a celebration of the victory of good over evil, and is often associated with the values of truth, justice, and morality, as embodied in the Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu scriptures. The festival is also an important event in the Sikh calendar, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Punjab and other parts of India, as well as in Pakistan and other countries with significant Sikh populations. The festival has been celebrated by many notable figures, including Rabindranath Tagore, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Jawaharlal Nehru, and is an important part of the Indian culture and tradition, along with other festivals like Holi and Navratri. The festival is also celebrated in many universities and institutions, such as the University of Delhi, the University of Mumbai, and the Indian Institute of Technology, and is an important event in the academic calendar.

Category:Hindu festivals