Of course, I couldn’t help asking her about the origin of their sudden artistic fever and she explained to me that ‘Diwali’ was a very important festival in India. "It could probably be considered to be the Indian equivalent to Christmas in western countries, at least in terms of importance for us", she said. She also described the origins of the celebration and some of the stories behind it. Today, I decided to do a little bit of research of my own and share it with you here. I even had a phone conversation with my friend Avinash, who provided some very enlightening insight into the subject. The following is a summary of what I’ve found.
* * * * *
The legend
Rama or Ramachandra was a legendary king of Ayodhya in ancient India. In Hinduism, he is considered to be the seventh Avatar of Vishnu. As a person, Rama personifies the characteristics of an ideal hero who is to be emulated. He had within him all the desirable virtues that any individual would seek to aspire, and he fulfils all his moral obligations.
For the sake of his father's honour, Rama abandons his claim to Kosala's throne to serve an exile of fourteen years in the forest. His wife, Sita and brother, Lakshmana being unable to live without Rama decide to join him, and all three spend the fourteen years in exile together.
This leads to the kidnapping of Sita by Ravana, the evil Rakshasa with 10 heads, monarch of Lanka.
After a long and arduous search that tests his personal strength and virtue, Rama fights a colossal war against Ravana's armies. In a war of powerful and magical beings, greatly destructive weaponry and battles, Rama slays Ravana in battle and liberates his wife.
Having completed his exile, Rama returns to be crowned King in Ayodhya (the capital of his Kingdom) and eventually becomes Emperor of the World, after which he reigns for eleven thousand years - an era of perfect happiness, peace, prosperity and justice.
The Festival
Today Diwali is one of the few grandest festivals celebrated all over India. The word ‘Diwali’ is the abbreviation of the Sanskrit word 'Deepavali', which means 'rows of lights'. The celebration commemorates the returning of Rama and Sita to their kingdom. The people of Ayodhya welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name.
It is mainly a five- day festival but we can see people preparing Diwali weeks ahead by cleaning and decorating their households. The main festival day falls on the no-moon day of the dark half of Kartik, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
Celebrated with vigor and gaiety by people of every religion, the magical and radiant touch of Deepavali creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity. Innumerable lamps are lit on the roofs and windowsills of the houses, thus, giving an ethereal and almost divine look to the whole scenario. It is said that Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth roams the earth on this day and enters the house that is pure, clean and brightly illuminated. Young and old, men and women, all dress up in new clothes and buy new utensils on this day. They worship the deities, Lakshmi and Ganesha, and share sweets and gifts with their relatives and friends. Ultimately, Deepawali symbolizes the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. It is the celebration of victory of good over evil - and the glory of light.
(sources for images and facts: wikipedia, iloveindia, ashram)
Wow great post on Diwali festival and thanks for informative post on diwali legands and such a great pictures on diwali festival. But Diwali Celebration is incomplete without exchange of special Diwali Gifts. but it is difficult for NRI people to meet relative face to face on this holy festival. so they send online diwali gifts to india and keep the tradition of this festival.
Dear sir
Very good and detailed information on Diwali festival. Thanks for sharing very valuable information.
Please see my Lamps of India post (message) relating to Diwali festival which i shared in my Heritage of India blog.
http://indian-heritage-and-culture.blogspot.in/2013/09/lamps-of-india.html
Sir alongwith sharing my collections relating to Indian Heritage and Culture in my blog i am also giving seminars to school and college children and so far i gave 2 seminars on Indian Heritage and Culture.
Sir these are my 2 seminars links.
http://indian-heritage-and-culture.blogspot.in/2013/02/my-first-seminar-on-indian-heritage-and.html
http://indian-heritage-and-culture.blogspot.in/2013/07/my-second-seminar-on-indian-heritage.html
Sir please look into my Heritage of India blog and share your comments.
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