India - Rich Heritage and Culture: India and Festivals

Hello Friends,

Here we are again from Phila Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd. with yet another blog, giving information about India and this time we are right on time of the Festival of Diwali, also known as Deepawali. This festival is one of the most important, hugely awaited and immensely cherished also popularly known as “Festival of Lights” is celebrated with great gusto and is observed as an official holiday across India and in parts of Nepal. Originally, the name was Deepawali, which has its origin from Sanskrit, meaning “Rows of Deep”.

The Importance of Diwali:

The festival of Diwali is not only significant to Hindus, but, has importance in Jainism, Arya Samaj and Sikhism also. It was on the birth of the new moon in the month of Kartik (Diwali Day) when Maharshi Dayananda, one of the greatest reformers of Hinduism and the founder of Arya Samaj attained his nirvana. Mahavir Tirthankar, considered to be the founder of modern Jainism also attained his nirvana on Diwali day. The third Sikh Guru Amar Das institutionalized Diwali as a Red-Letter Day when all Sikhs would gather to receive the Gurus blessings. In 1577, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar was laid on Diwali. In 1619, the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind, who was held by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, was released from the Gwalior fort along with 52 kings.

There are many Hindu Mythological stories over celebration of Diwali, some of them as such as: Welcoming Lord Rama with Sita and Laxman, after their 14 years of Exile from Ayodhya, another says about Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi being incarnated on this day of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan), Also it is believed that on the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakasur. The celebration of this freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival. Again another story goes as of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the tyrant Bali and banished him to hell. Bali was allowed to return to earth once a year, to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance, and spread the radiance of love and wisdom according to the boon given by Lord Vishnu. It is also believed form Mahabharata Epic, it was this day when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice.

Even it is true that just like Christmas, Diwali also is celebrated world around, wherever Indians - Hindu are living, the Diwali is celebrated with the same enthusiasm, even, in 1999, Pope John Paul II performed a special Eucharist in an Indian church where the altar was decorated with lamps, the Pope had a ‘tilak’ marked on his forehead and his speech was bristled with references to the festival of light.

Traditional Celebration :

The Tradition of Diwali is ultimately symbolizing victory of good over evil and freedom from darkness, and it is always celebrated in such a way by decorating “Rangoli” and lighting “Diya” (earthen lamps), cleaning and decorating homes keeping doors and windows open, wearing new clothes and celebrating with fireworks. Each has its own meaning; Rangoli at door steps is for inviting good omen at home, lighting Diya is to illuminate light over darkness; cleaning and decoration of places by keeping doors and window open is to welcome Gods in the clean and pure place along with the happiness and prosperity, wearing new cloths is specially to feel the pureness and cleanliness of body and soul to pray towards Gods and Goddesses and celebrating the fireworks to thwart away the evil spirits and celebrating joy.

Though as each and every day has its own importance, Dhan Teras, is the day when tools of the trade are cleaned and given priority with worshiping, next day of Kali Chaudas, is the day when Goddess Kali had killed the Evil Asura Mahisasur, so on this day, Goddess Kali is worshiped and prayer are for keeping devotees away from the bad omen and make them safe, healthy and happy. Main days is the Amavasya, which also the last day of the Hindu calendar year and this day Goddess Laxmi’s pooja, prayer is done to show the gratefulness of the Goddess during the year which is ending and welcoming her to be with the devotees for the next year and bring the prosperity along with her. The next day, is the first day of New year, and it is celebrated by wishing near and dear for happy and prosperous new year, elders are praised and thanked for their support and guidance, young ones are given wishes to progress and happiness. The last day is Bhai Dooj, the story goes as The God of Death and keeper of Hell, Yamaraj, was invited on this day by his sister and was worshiped and served well, by this he was happy and asked for a boon to his sister, and she replied that, all bother be safe from going to Hell and sudden death, and Yama added that if they go to Sister’s home and the sister who serves well to her brother on this day will not become widow.

Thus all 5 days are auspicious and celebrated with enthusiasm by young and old alike, New clothes are purchased for whole family, shopping of ornaments and other things are done, sweets are prepared or purchased eaten and shared along the family, friends and relatives, fireworks take place and the decoration and atmosphere becomes so lively, that without actually seeing, it would not be possible to understand, So, we invite you to come to India during Diwali and enjoy the Festival personally and with friends and family, any information more required, do not hesitate to contact us.