DEEPAVALI

Deepavali, known popularly in the Western world as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated allover India on a grand scale on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Kartik (early November) every year. In Sanskrit language, the basis for most Indian languages, the word Deepavali is derived from Deepa meaning light and Avali, meaning rows, i. e. rows of lamps. It symbolizes the disappearance of darkness (ignorance/ sorrow) and the establishment of light (knowledge/happiness). Note that Amavasya, the new moon day, is the darkest day of the month. "Diwali" is the colloquial form of Deepavali, and is commonly used, especially in the Northern parts of India.

Deepavali, is one of the most colorful festivals celebrated in all parts of India by the rich and the poor alike with very little religious connotations. Houses are decorated with lamps (generally earthen lamps with oil and wick); extra special, home made, delicious Indian cuisine; friends and relatives exchange visits and gifts; the newly married couples visit their in-laws, especially that of the groom; businessmen send gifts to their customers and bankers; and lastly children as well as adults wear new clothes and display fireworks that give lights of various colors as well as sounds

Though Deepavali has some religious implications, it is celebrated mostly as a social, joyous event. It is the religious overtones, in fact, gives the added meaning and significance to this festival. Business community, especially from Maharastra and Gujarat States in India consider this as the beginning of the financial year. They worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity as part of the celebration. Others visit the temple of their choice (as individuals or as a family), as is common with most festivals of any religion.

Deepavali is a very important festival not only for the Hindus but also for the Jains. For the Jain religion, it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, the spiritual head of Jainism. The new Jain year commences on this day.

For the Hindus, there are several mythologies associated with the Deepavali festival. It is the day marking the triumphant return to Ayodhya (the Capital of the kingdom) of .heir king, Lord Rama along with his queen Sita after defeating Ravana. Upon their arrival, the subjects were ecstatic and celebrated the event by lighting lamps to mark the end of darkness and return of light in their lives.

Deepavali, festival is celebrated up to five days with the grand finale on the Deepavali Amavasya day. The day before Deepavali is known as the Naraka Chaturdasi marking the triumphant return of Lord Krishna and His consort Sathyabhama after vanquishing the immensely powerful demon, Narakasura. Chaturdasi means the 14th day of the new moon cycle. Lord Krishna, also an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, preached Bhagavath Geetha (the Song Celestial) to Arjuna in the Kurukshetra War (Mahabharata War) in which He declares :

meaning, for the protection of the good, for the destruction of the evil and for the establishment of righteousness, I come into being from age to age. In Krishnavatara, Lord Vishnu came to this earth in the human form of Lord Krishna to kill the wicked demon Narakasura and to establish righteousness. It is also on this very day that Lord Krishna discarded His mortal remains and returned to Sri Vaikunta, His heavenly abode.

The day before Naraka Chaturdasi is known as Dhan Trayodashi. The word Dhan means wealth or prosperity and Trayodashi means the 13th day of the new moon cycle. That day Lakshmi Puja (worship of Goddess Lakshmi) is performed especially by the business community , but not exclusively, to welcome Goddess Lakshmi to their homes. That is one of the reasons why they clean their homes and decorate it. So much is involved behind the scenes of this festival.

Deepavali, the festival of lights and sounds, also encourages artistic expressions through home decorations (Rangolies), stage plays, elocution competitions, singing and dance programmes thereby discovering new talent amongst young people. Mingling of customs and cultures of innumerable Indian communities during this festival make this festival specially unique.

Altogether, Deepavali is celebrated as a joyous occasion by all Indians whether they are in India or in other parts of the world. Where there is a significant migration of Indians for generations, such as in Kenya, Singapore, Thailand, Trinidad, Malaysia, Bali, to name some, Deepavali festival is celebrated in their own style although certain salient features are retained.