The most favorite and significant festival for Indians is here. Diwali, is the most-awaited time of the year when everything feels bright and glitzy. The festival comes with loads of cultural and religious sentiments among the Hindu community. Where Hindus celebrate it to mark the return of Lord Rama, Sikhs celebrate it to celebrate the return of their sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib. As Diwali is associated with so many unique reasons, there are many distinguished rituals of Diwali, followed across India.
Let this article take you on a festive journey where you will witness the richness and cultural exchange of Indian festivals.
An Overview of the Historical Significance of Diwali
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, has a deep-rooted historical, cultural, and religious significance among various traditions. Nonetheless, Diwali is prominently celebrated in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Let’s explore a few of the aspects:
Hindu Tradition
Return of Lord Rama
In Hindu Folklore, Diwali commemorates the defeat of the demon king Ravana and the return of Lord Rama from his exile of 14 years. To mark this celebratory moment the people of Ayodhya lit lamps that represent light over darkness.
Goddess Lakshmi
The festival is also linked with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. She is the goddess of wealth and prosperity and people believe that at Diwali she visits their home.
Jain Tradition
For Jains, the festival holds a different meaning. According to them, the festival honors the attainment of moksha (liberation) by Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankara, in 527 BCE. The festival also signifies the victory of spiritual enlightenment.
Sikh Tradition
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas on Diwali. For them, the festival celebrates the return of Guru Hargobind Ji (the sixth guru of Sikhs).
Cultural Importance
Promoting values of charity and family bonding is what Diwali stand s for. The festival is also a medium to renew social ties by exchanging sweets and gifts.
Distinguished Rituals Followed on Diwali Across India
The Return of Guru Hargobind Ji in Punjab
The Sikh Community in Punjab widely celebrates Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas. The historical background of this divas marks the return of Guru Hargobind Ji from the imprisonment of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Guru Ji along with 52 other Hindu kings, were set free on this day.
On this day, the Sikh people visit Gurdwaras, light diyas or candles, and offer sweets to each other. The candle lighting symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The Golden Temple of Amritsar is illuminated with many lights and decorations. Many Sikhs also host langars, to celebrate the value of charity.
Summoning Ancestors in Odisha
Diwali in Odisha is associated with a very distinguished ritual, called Kauriya Kathi. The ritual involves the burning of jute sticks and chanting mantras to seek blessings from their ancestors. People of Odisha believe that their ancestors are alive in heaven. And by doing this, their forefathers will bless them and their families.
Burning Narkasur’s Effigy in Goa
Goa celebrates Diwali in a unique way. The people of Goa burn the effigies of Narakasura that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Narkasura was a demon king, who used to harm people and, on this day, Lord Krishna killed him.
The Narkasur Chaturdashi is celebrated on the same day as Diwali. People make huge effigies of Narakasura using cloth, paper, straw, and firecrackers. They parade them on the streets and later burn them at dawn.
Marriage of Crops in Chhattisgarh
The tribal communities in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region celebrate Diwali as “Diyari.” The communities celebrate it with distinctive rituals. The festivities begin with a ceremonial marriage of crops, with the idol of Lord Narayana, placed in the fields. The tradition is followed by the practice of stockpiling food grains.
The festival is observed for three days. Throughout this time, cattle are adorned with flowers, crops are worshipped as representations of Goddess Lakshmi, and drums are played.
Dev Deepawali of Varanasi
It is impossible to wrap up the Diwali discussion without mentioning the Dev Deepawali of Varanasi.
Varanasi celebrates Diwali in a lavish way. Dev Deepawali is also known as the festival of the gods. There’s a saying that the deities descend to earth and bathe in the Ganges, on this day.
Residents of the sacred city adorn the ghats with earthen lamps and flowers, to honor the arrival of the gods. They also perform the grand Ganga Aarti, a ceremonial worship of the river, and enjoy the vibrant display of fireworks and cultural representation.
From illuminated Mandirs and Gurudwaras, Diwali is the most adorned day of the year. Despite the diversification of communities and their distinguished rituals of Diwali, the festival promotes the values of love, charity, and brotherhood.
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Naina Jaggi is an author deeply rooted in Journalism, mainly writing on lifestyle, entertainment, travel, politics and financial markets. This diverse experience has allowed her to blend rich details with engaging narratives that capture the essence of various worlds. When she is not crafting tales, you’ll find her immersed in music and enjoying the company of dogs. She is also into K-dramas, thriller and horror movies that fuel her imagination, bringing the same spark to her stories.
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