How Diwali is celebrated in India
Diwali, known as the "Festival of Lights", is the biggest festival of the year in India. This five-day festival commemorates the victory of good over evil, and in particular honors the return of Lord Ram and his wife Sita to Ayodhya (after the defeat of demon Ravan and rescue of Sita from his evil clutches on Dussehra).
Candle lights, earthen lamps, house filled with sweet smell of sweets, warmth of families and friends, and the chills of approaching winters that is how a perfect picture of Diwali celebration in India is painted. Diwali, popularly known as the “Festival of Lights” is the biggest festival in India. It is celebrated with great grandeur and valor. Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains all come together during this five-day festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil. It honors Lord Ram and his wife Sita’s return to Ayodhya, after defeating the evil demon Ravana.
It is an occasion for prosperity and family togetherness. Also, it is a chance for people to move on, let go of past grudges, and make merry with everyone.
If you are thinking spend Diwali this year, here are some diverse destinations and ways to celebrate for a memorable time.
North India
In North India, Diwali is celebrated commemorate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya with wife Sita and brother Laxman after 14 years of staying in exile. As it was new moon it was dark all around. However, to make their homecoming special, the locals of Ayodhya light each corner of the kingdom with diyas (earthen lamps) and fireworks. They celebrated this significant event with great zeal and bursted numerous crackers. Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya is remembered as the victory of ‘Good over Evil’.
Diwali celebrations begin with Dussehra, where Ramlila, a dramatic rendition of the story of the Ramayan is depicted by actors on stage. The traditions and rituals are followed even today in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, and other neighboring areas. In Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab people also indulge in gambling on Diwali night as it is considered to be auspicious.
Punjab:
Though the Sikh community does not traditionally celebrate Diwali, they do take part in the celebrations. They light their houses with candles and diyas and also illuminate the gurdwaras Diwali night.
Delhi and Uttar Pradesh
With beautiful decorations of candles, lights, diyas, bandhanwars, and rangolis, people in these places perform Laxmi puja on Diwali night. Some houses also perform the ritual of putting a silver coin in a tumbler of milk, which is later sprinkled around the house. Shopping, cleaning, gambling, decoration, whitewashing, gift exchanging and sweets are part and parcel of Diwali celebrations.
East India
East India celebrates Diwali just like the others. The basic rituals such as lighting of lamps, candles, diyas, and bursting of crackers, remain the same. Some people even keep the main doors of their houses open so that Goddess Lakshmi can enter peacefully and shower them with her blessings. The houses are brightly illuminated as the people believe that Goddess Lakshmi does not step into houses that are dark.
West Bengal and Assam
In West Bengal, Laxmi Puja takes place six days after Durga Puja. Diwali here is celebrated as Kali Puja, which includes late night worshipping of Goddess Kali. Kali Puja pandals are set up in various places, while other rituals remain the same. The night of Diwali believed to be the night of the ancestors, so diyas are lit on long poles to guide their souls to heaven. Locals in Bengal and Assam follow this tradition religiously even today.
Odisha
Just like West Bengal, in Odhisa also, Diwali is an occasion of paying tributes to forefathers. The famous saying there is, “Badabadua ho andhaara e asa Aluaa e Jaao Baaisi pahacha e Gadagadau thaao”, It translates to “oh our ancestors, seers and gods, you came on the dark night of Mahalaya, and now it is time for you to depart for heaven, so we are showing light, may you attain peace in abode of Jagannatha!”
Western India
West India is mainly linked to business and trade. Merely some days before Diwali, markets and shops are bombarded with buyers who enthusiastically shop for making it a grand celebration. Rangoli is an integral part of Diwali in all states in Western India.
Gujarat
In Gujarat, a night before Diwali, people draw colorful rangolis at the entrance of their houses. Footprints of the feminine deity are also drawn to welcome Goddess Laxmi. On Diwali night, houses are brightly lit.
Diwali also marks as a new venture for many. Buying new properties, opening of offices, shops, and special occasions such as marriages are considered auspicious. Some houses leave a diya lit with ghee burning for the whole night. The next morning, the flame collected from this diya is used to make natural kajal. It is considered to be a very auspicious custom and is believed to bring prosperity for the entire year. Just like North India, Western India too celebrates Diwali for five days.
Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, Diwali or commonly known as Deepavali is celebrated for four days. The celebrations begin with Vasu Baras, recognised for honouring cows and calves. An arti of the cows and calves is performed to signify the endearing love between a mother and her baby. The following day is Dhanteras, which is celebrated in the same manner as other states. On the third day known as Naraka Chaturdashi, people take bath with scented oil early morning and visit a temple. After this, the Maharashtrians feast (Faral) on a special Diwali delicacy such as karanji, ladoo, chakli, sev and more. The fourth day, the main Diwali day, Lakshmi Puja is performed. In every house, Goddess Lakshmi and items of wealth such as money and jewelry are worshipped.
South India
Southern India celebrates Diwali in the Tamil month of aipasi (which is thula month. The main day of Diwali celebrations is Naraka Chaturdashi. One day before the main celebration, the oven is cleaned, and smeared with lime. Religious symbols are drawn on the oven, filled with water and used oil bath. People clean homes and decorate them with kolam designs, which are similar to rangolis in the Northern states. Bursting crackers and wearing new clothes are part of the celebrations. In fact, firecrackers and new apparels are kept on a plate to be used on Diwali. On the morning of Diwali, the celebrations start with an oil bath before sunrise. Afterward, sweets are devoured, and new clothes are worn.
Another unique ritual followed down south on Diwali is Thalai Deepavali. On this day, newlywed couples spend their first Diwali at the bride’s parental house.
Andhra Pradesh
People perform Harikatha or the musical narration of the story of Lord Hari in many areas. It is believed that Lord Krishna’s consort Satyabhama had killed demon Narakasura. Thus, prayers are offered to special clay idols of Satyabhama. Other celebrations remain the same as observed in southern states.
Karnataka
On the first day of Ashwija Krishna Chaturdashi people bathe in oil. The ritual is followed as people believe that Lord Krishna took oil bath to remove the blood stains from his body after killing Narakasura. On the third day, known as Bali Padyami, women sketch colorful rangolis in their houses and build forts from cow dung.
Around the World
This occasion of joy, merrymaking, and togetherness is celebrated not only in India, but also across the world. Countries such as Nepal, Srilanka, Mauritius, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia, Britain, Malaysia, Thailand, Guyana, Japan, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Africa, and Australia celebrate Diwali on a grand scale.
Tips for Safe Diwali Celebration
- Don’t wear synthetic fabrics, instead go for cotton clothes
- Keep a fire extinguisher and first aid kit handy in your house
- Avoid burning firecrackers in closed areas, as it will lead to major burning
- Don’t allow kids burn aerial fireworks such as rockets alone
- Don’t light a firecracker while holding it in your hand. Maintain a safe distance
Apeksha News Network Wishes You A Happy & Safe Diwali!
