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Diwali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepavali, is popularly known as the “festival of lights” and is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November by Sikhs, Hindus, South Indians, and Jains around the world for different reasons.
For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. Deepavali is celebrated for five days according to the lunisolar Hindu Calendar. It begins in late Ashvin (between September and October) and ends in early Kartika (between October and November). The first day is Dhan Teras. The last day is Yama Dvitiya, which signifies the second day of the light half of Kartika. Each day of Deepavali marks one celebration of the six principal stories associated with the festival.
For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC. Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankar of this era, attained Nirvana or Moksha on this day at Pavapuri on Oct. 15, 527 BC, on Chaturdashi of Kartika.
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhorh Divas to mark the return of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners) at the same time from the famous fort of Gwalior by making clever use of Emperor Jahangir’s orders to allow any who could hold on to the Gurus coat tails to leave the fort with the Guru (October, 1619). And so the kings/rajahs were freed and the Guru became known popularly as the Bandi Chhor (deliverer from prison). He arrived at Amritsar on the Diwali day and the HarMandar (also known as the Golden Temple) was lit with hundreds of lamps to celebrate his return and hence the day came to be known as the “Bandi Chhor Divas” (the day of freedom).
The name Diwali is a contraction of Deepavali, which translates into ‘row of lamps’. Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.
The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation, vanquished the Bali, and banished him to Patala. It is on the fourth day of Deepawali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to Patala and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.
North India
In Northern India, the Diwali has religious significance because on this day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and younger brother Laxman after 14 years of exile. His return to Ayodhya denotes the victory of good over evil, and this belief continues till today in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and neighbouring areas. In Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab, people also like to gamble on Diwali night as it is believed that Goddess of money and prosperity, Maa Lakshmi, will bestow riches on gamblers.
In Punjab, the Sikhs and Hindus both light their houses with candles and diyas, and the gurdwaras are also illuminated on Diwali night. In Delhi, UP and other neighbouring states, people decorate their houses with candles, lights, diyas, bandhanwars and rangolis. Laxmi puja is done at night, and also there is a tradition of putting a silver coin in a tumbler containing milk, which is sprinkled throughout the home.
Eastern India
The basic rituals are the same in Eastern India, including crackers, gambling, and lighting of lamps, candles, diyas. Also, doors of the houses are kept open during the whole night so that Goddess Lakshmi can enter. Conversely, any house that is not lit well is ill-placed on Diwali because it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi does not enter a dark home.
In West Bengal, people do Laxmi Puja six days after Durga Puja takes place. Diwali is celebrated and seen as Kali puja, with late night worshipping of Goddess Kali done on this night. Apart from Kali puja, the other rituals of diwali remain the same and the rangoli is also done as part of the celebration.
Western India
In Western India, this day is associated mostly with business and trade. As in other states of India, the markets of Western India are thronged by Diwali shoppers in the days before Diwali. Rangoli is an integral part of Diwali in all states in Western India, and in Gujarat, on the night before Diwali, Gujaratis like to do colourful rangolis in front of their houses. And to welcome Goddess Laxmi, footprints are also drawn. On Diwali, houses are brightly lit, and it can be said that for Gujaratis, Diwali is the New Year.
In Maharashtra, people celebrate Diwali for four days. Vasubaras is the first day and aarti of the cows and calves is performed on the first day, signifying the love between a mother and her baby. The next day is Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi, the process and rituals are the same as in other regions. On the third day, which is Narakchaturdashi, there is a ritual of taking scented oil bath very early in the morning and visiting a temple. The fourth day or the Diwali day, Lakshmi Puja is done, and money and jewellery are also worshipped.
Southern India
In Tamil Nadu, Diwali is celebrated in the Tamil month of aipasi (which is thula month), also ‘naraka chaturdasi’ thithi, which is the day that precedes the amavasai day. In South India, Naraka chaturdashi is the main day of the Diwali celebrations. The oven is cleaned and smeared with lime a day before the big day. People draw religious symbols on the oven and fill it water, and this over and its water are used on Diwali for oil bath. Homes are washed, cleaned and decorated with kolam designs, which are similar to rangolis in North India. Another unique ritual in South India that is worth mentioning is the observance of Thalai Deepavali. On this day, newlyweds celebrate their first Diwali in the parental home of the bride.
Diwali: A Global Festival
Apart from Indian subcontinent, Diwali is celebrated in various parts of the world, particularly those with large populations of Hindu and Sikh origin. These include countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Guyana, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. With more and more Indians now migrating to various parts of the world, the number of countries where Diwali / Deepavali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it has become part of the general local culture. In most of these countries, Diwali is celebrated on the same lines as in India, but some important variations occur in every nation.
Diwali in Australia and New Zealand
In Australia, Diwali is celebrated publicly among the people of Indian origin and the local Australians in all the major cities today.
Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) in association with Brisbane City Council organised deepawali celebrations in King George Square, Brisbane, last year. The gala event was full of cultural performances and dances. A similar event is planned for this year too.
On 21 July 2002, the organisation The Australian Indian Innovations Incorporated (AIII) consisting of a conglomerate of independent organisations and individuals was formed to celebrate Indian festivals in Melbourne. AIII facilitated opportunities to depict the cultural kaleidoscope of India and assist Indians in Melbourne to showcase Indian art, culture, style, traditions, and food via various activities, seminars, festivals, fairs, and events. The first Inaugural Diwali Festival-2002, was held at Sandown Race Course on Sunday, 13 October, 2002. Since then, until October 2008, about 140,000 people visited this Australian Indian Cultural Extravaganza filled with culture, fun, and cuisine. This 10-hour festival has been depicting India through 50 stalls, 10 food stalls, and an 8-hour cultural programme with Dj, Children’s rides, and spectacular fireworks over the last 10 years. Similar events and programmes are held at all the major Australian cities.
In New Zealand, Diwali is celebrated publicly among many of the South Asian diaspora cultural groups. There are main public festivals in Auckland and Wellington, with other Diwali events around the country becoming more popular and visible every year. An official reception has been held at the New Zealand Parliament since 2003.
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