Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in India. Often referred to as the "Festival of Lights," Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The celebration of Diwali spans five days, each day carrying its own significance, rituals, and traditions. Rooted in ancient mythology and spiritual teachings, Diwali continues to be celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor, not only in India but also by the Indian diaspora around the world.
This blog post delves into the history, mythology, and traditions associated with Diwali, and explores how the festival is celebrated across different regions and communities. It also reflects on how Diwali's core values of unity, prosperity, and spiritual growth remain relevant in today’s world.
The Origins of Diwali: Myths and Legends
Diwali’s origins can be traced to ancient India, and its celebrations are linked to multiple legends from Hindu mythology. The most prominent mythological narrative associated with Diwali is the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. According to the epic Ramayana, Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya welcomed them by lighting oil lamps (diyas) to celebrate their return and the victory of good over evil.
Another legend links Diwali to the goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. Diwali is considered to be the night when Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during the churning of the cosmic ocean, also known as the Samudra Manthan. Many Hindus believe that Lakshmi visits homes on Diwali night, bringing blessings of wealth and prosperity to those who have cleaned and decorated their homes.
For some communities, Diwali is also associated with the worship of Lord Vishnu’s avatar Vamana, who defeated the demon king Bali. In South India, Diwali marks the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura, freeing 16,000 captive women from his clutches. These multiple myths underscore Diwali's central theme: the triumph of virtue, light, and wisdom over the forces of darkness and ignorance.
The Five Days of Diwali: Rituals and Celebrations
Diwali is celebrated over a period of five days, each day having its own unique significance and set of rituals. The festivities begin with Dhanteras and culminate in Bhai Dooj, with the third day being the main event of Diwali.
1. Dhanteras (Day 1): The Festival of Wealth
Diwali begins with Dhanteras, which is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and healing. The word "Dhanteras" is derived from two Sanskrit words: dhan meaning wealth and teras meaning the thirteenth day of the lunar cycle. On this day, people clean and decorate their homes to invite the goddess Lakshmi, believing that she brings prosperity and good fortune. Traditionally, families purchase new utensils, gold, or silver items as a symbol of auspiciousness.
Business owners, especially in the Indian subcontinent, consider Dhanteras a highly significant day as it marks the beginning of the new financial year. The day is filled with prayers, rituals, and offerings to Lakshmi, seeking her blessings for wealth and well-being.
2. Naraka Chaturdashi (Day 2): The Day of Abolishing Evil
The second day of Diwali, also known as Choti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi, commemorates the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. It signifies the vanquishing of evil forces and the destruction of negative influences. On this day, people wake up early in the morning, perform a holy oil bath, and cleanse their homes to purify the space and rid it of negative energies.
Choti Diwali is a more subdued celebration compared to the main day of Diwali. In some parts of India, people light a few diyas in their homes as a symbolic gesture of illuminating their surroundings with positive energy.
3. Diwali (Day 3): The Main Festival of Lights
The third day of the festival, known as Diwali or Deepavali, is the most significant and widely celebrated. On this day, homes and public spaces are adorned with glowing diyas, electric lights, and rangoli (decorative patterns made from colored powders or flowers). The evening is marked by prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, seeking her blessings for health, wealth, and prosperity. Families come together to perform the Lakshmi Puja, lighting lamps and offering sweets, fruits, and other delicacies.
The lighting of diyas and fireworks is a central element of Diwali celebrations. Fireworks symbolize the joy and happiness of the occasion, and the lights are believed to ward off darkness and evil spirits. In many households, this is also the time to exchange gifts with friends, neighbors, and relatives, strengthening bonds of love and unity.
4. Govardhan Puja (Day 4): Worshiping Nature and Lord Krishna
The fourth day of Diwali is celebrated as Govardhan Puja or Annakut, particularly in Northern India. This day commemorates an event from Lord Krishna’s life, in which he lifted Mount Govardhan to protect the people of Vrindavan from torrential rains sent by Indra, the god of rain. It is a day of gratitude to nature and the land for providing sustenance.
In many homes, families prepare an elaborate meal known as Annakut, a feast offering to Lord Krishna made from a variety of vegetarian dishes. Temples and communities organize grand feasts to celebrate the occasion, and prayers are offered to Krishna as a way of expressing gratitude for his protection and blessings.
5. Bhai Dooj (Day 5): Celebrating the Bond Between Siblings
The final day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj, a festival dedicated to celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. It is similar to Raksha Bandhan, another sibling-focused festival in the Hindu calendar. On Bhai Dooj, sisters perform a ceremonial tilak on their brothers' foreheads, praying for their long life and prosperity, while brothers offer gifts as a token of love and protection.
This day emphasizes the importance of familial relationships and is an opportunity for siblings to strengthen their bond and share in the joy and love of the Diwali season.
Diwali Across India: Regional Variations
While the core theme of Diwali remains the same across India, there are significant regional variations in how the festival is celebrated, with each region adding its own unique flavor to the festivities.
Northern India
In Northern India, Diwali primarily celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. Cities like Delhi, Varanasi, and Jaipur are illuminated with lights, and homes are decorated with rangoli and diyas. The night sky is lit up with fireworks, and families come together for Lakshmi Puja, followed by feasts and the exchange of sweets and gifts.
Southern India
In Southern India, Diwali is associated with the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura. The day starts with early morning oil baths, followed by prayers and feasting. In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, people prepare traditional sweets such as murrukku and adirasam, and homes are decorated with flowers and kolam (rangoli designs made with rice flour).
Western India
In Gujarat, Diwali marks the end of the harvest season and the start of the new financial year. Business owners perform Chopda Pujan, a ceremony in which accounting books are worshipped, seeking prosperity and growth for the coming year. Govardhan Puja is also widely celebrated in Gujarat with grand feasts and offerings to Lord Krishna.
In Maharashtra, Diwali celebrations begin with Vasu Baras, which honors cows, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali, and Bhai Dooj. The people of Maharashtra prepare special sweets like karanji and ladoo for the occasion.
Eastern India
In West Bengal, Diwali coincides with the worship of Goddess Kali, known as Kali Puja. Devotees offer flowers, sweets, and animal sacrifices (in some regions) to Kali, seeking her blessings for protection and the destruction of evil forces. The night of Diwali is marked by the illumination of homes and temples with lamps and candles, and the bursting of fireworks.
In Odisha and Assam, Diwali is celebrated with a focus on Lakshmi Puja, and homes are decorated with lamps and rangoli. The celebrations also include the lighting of traditional lamps near bodies of water to honor ancestors.
Diwali for the Global Indian Community
Diwali has grown beyond the borders of India, becoming a global celebration for the Indian diaspora. Countries with large Indian populations, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia, have embraced Diwali as a cultural and spiritual event. Communities come together to celebrate Diwali with cultural performances, feasts, and public displays of fireworks.
In recent years, Diwali has gained recognition as an official holiday in countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname. It has become a symbol of Indian culture and identity, providing an opportunity for people to connect with their roots and share their traditions with the broader community.
The Deeper Significance of Diwali: Spiritual and Social Lessons
While Diwali is widely known for its festive celebrations, lights, and fireworks, the festival carries a deeper spiritual significance that resonates with people across time and cultures. Diwali is not merely about external celebrations; it is also about illuminating the inner self.
