Deepavali or Diwali that falls on a moonless night in the month of Kartika (October-November) is widely celebrated all over India, embracing all sections and communities. Diwali is derived from ‘Dipavali’, a Sanskrit word which means ‘a row of lights.’ Light represents strength while darkness represents weakness. The demonical forces which are at work within us destroying the strength and purity of our lives are the symbols of darkness. 

In Brihadaranyak Upanishad, there is a prayer.
Asoto ma sad gamaya
Tamaso ma Jyotirgamaya
Mrutorma amrutam gamaya.
(From the unreal, lead me to the real
From the darkness, lead me to light
From death, lead me to immortality).

Thus, the Upanishad explains unreal and darkness means death, and real and light implies immortality. Troubled by the forces of staticity and darkness human beings seek light for their deliverance. The lamps of Diwali are meant as symbols, as a means of the end. But what is this end? What is the real darkness which must be dispelled? It is the darkness within us, the darkness of ignorance of selfishness of duality that has to be eliminated.

There are different legends associated with this festival. It was celebrated in Ayodhya as Lord Ramachandra’s victory over Ravana of Lanka and safe return from 14 years of exile to his capital Ayodhya. The people of Ayodhya, burning the lams of earthen pots of ghee welcomed Shri Ramachandra. Since then, people have been celebrating the festival to commemorate Rama’s victory over Ravana, with the same enthusiasm. In Assam region, this festival is related to the killing of demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna.

Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankar attained his Nirvana on the day of Deepavali at Pavapuri. His disciples surrounded him and were in tears saying, ‘Don’t leave us’. Mahavira advised them not to grieve but to light the lamp within their heart and conquer the darkness surrounding them. Thus, the Jain devotees celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm as Nirvana Day of Lord Mahavira.

Diwali is celebrated in honour of Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that the Goddess blesses those with prosperity, who keeps their houses neat clean on this day. She is supposed to visit the homes of her devotees at midnight. For the business community, this festival signals the beginning of a new financial year, and they open their new cash registers and books of account on this day.

There is another reason for worshipping Lakshmi on Deepavali. It was on this day that when Vishnu in the form of Vamana had sent the demon king Bali to nether-world and Goddess Lakshmi was freed from the prison.

There are historical references that king Vikramaditya was crowned on this day at Ujjain, commencing an era named after him. Abul Fazal’s Akbarnama informs us that the Mughal Emperor Akbar had adopted the Hindu way of life and began to celebrate many Hindu festivals like Diwali. The Arya samajists commemorate the celebration with pomp and show because Maharshi Dayananda, one of the greatest reformers of Hinduism and the founder of ‘Arya Samaj’ attained his salvation on this day. The Sikh regard Diwali as an auspicious day for the reason that the sixth Guru Hargovinda Sahib, who was held by the Mughal emperor Jahangir, was released from the Gwalior fort on this day.

Probably the most commonly celebrated aspect of Diwali is that it is the festival of lights. Homes, offices, shops and streets are lined with brightly lighting diyas or earthen lamps. It is also celebrated as the day of general ‘Shradha’- oblations to the ancestral spirits of the family. Thus, the festival brings happiness and joy for the people and weaves them together in closer bonds of love and friendship. Buy Lamps & Diyas Online.

Reference: Balabhadra Ghadai, Principal, M.K. College, Khiching, Mayurbhanj.