Diwali – Festival of Lights

As rightly said, “Modern day India represents the largest democracy in the world with a seamless picture of unity in diversity unparalleled anywhere else.” We in this beautiful subcontinent of India, celebrate a lot of festivals, each state following its own culture and way of celebration. One such festival is the ‘Festival of Lights’. So fasten your seat belt guys, because I am going to give you a glimpse of how Diwali is celebrated in India, but in different ways in different states!There is no one reason as to why this sacred festival is celebrated. North Indians celebrate it because it commemorates the return of Lord Rama  to Ayodhya along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14 year long exile after vanquishing the demon Ravana.

Ramlila in Delhi

In South India, Diwali commemorates the killing of the evil demon Narakasura by Krishna’s wife Sathyabhama. Some people also celebrate this festival to show their joy on the return of the Pandavas after their 12 years of exile and 1 year of living incognito. The Jains celebrate the ‘Festival of Lights’ because it marks the attainment of ‘moksha’ by Mahavir Jain and the reasons can go on and on.

Krishna Battles the Armies of the Demon Naraka (Photo: Wikipedia)

In North India, the Diwali celebrations begin with Dhanteras, on which businessmen start their financial year as the day is considered very auspicious. It is followed by Choti Diwali. The day after this is celebrated as Diwali, which is celebrated by lighting diyas in the house and by bursting crackers. Also how can we forget the auspicious Lakshmi Puja! The day after Diwali is celebrated as Govardhan Puja, the day Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain on his tiny finger to save people from floods. The day after this is Bhaiya Dooj. On this day sisters pray for the well being of their brothers. Such importance to relationships can be seen only in this magical country.

Dhanteras Puja – People prefers to buy new metal things like cars, bikes, utensils etc. on this day.

Diwali Puja – Traditional puja of Sri Ganesh and Laxmi ji in Indian Home.

Govardhan Hill made of Prasadam!! (Photo: Rupanuga Prabhu and Vanamalini Dasi)

Bhaiya Dooj – Sisters put tilak to their brothers

Celebrations in South India take place on a similar note. The first day of the festival is known as Naraka Chaturdasi as it commemorates the victory of Krishna over Narakasura. This is the most important day of the festivities. This falls on the same day as Choti Diwali in the north. On the next day, people perform Lakshmi puja and burst crackers to celebrate the victory of ‘good over bad.’ The next day is Bali Pratipada.  In South, this day commemorates the victory of Lord Vishnu over the demon Bali.

Bali Pratipada (Photo: Kavita Gunani)

Gujaratis begin their celebrations even before Dhanteras.  The first day is celebrated as Agyaras, when the tastiest of snacks is prepared, to wish New Year to neighbours and relatives. Sounds mouth-watering! The second day is called Vagh Baras, as on this day people worship the cow and the calf. Also, on this day people repay all their financial debts. The next day is Dhanteras, followed by Kali Chaudash. Lakshmi Puja is performed on the next day and people also burst crackers to welcome the ‘New Year’ as Diwali is considered as the last day of the Hindu calendar.

Vagh Baras (Photo: Amisha Patel)

Bestu Varas is the Gujarati New Year and is celebrated on the first bright day of Kartik. The next day is celebrated as Bhai Bij, which is similar to Bhai Dooj. The fifth bright day of Kartik is celebrated as Labh Pacham and on this day people start their businesses. Kartik Poornima falls on the 15^th bright day of Kartik. People burst crackers on this day as they consider it to be the last day to greet the ‘New Year’.

In Rajasthan, the festival is celebrated in a way similar to most of the other Northern states. The Pink City looks more beautiful than ever. Delicacies like Mawa Kachori, Jalebi, Besan Barfi, Til ke laddu are prepared on this special occasion. Wish I could go there right now!

Jodhpur is famous for Mawa kachori, filled with milk solids and nuts and sugar. (Photo: SRA)

Diwali starts with a customary oil bath before sunrise, in the beautiful city of Tamil Nadu. After bath, people wear new clothes and then perform Lakshmi Pooja. Relishing sweets, going to the temple, lighting diyas in and around the house are certain things done without fail. Also since Diwali is considered to be one of their most important festivals, people spend it by bursting crackers with their entire family. Thus one can call it a ‘Festival of Reunion’!

Lakshmi Puja (Photo: Stock Photo)

People in Karnataka and Kerala celebrate Diwali in a manner similar to how it is celebrated in all the other South Indian states. Sweets like jalebis, laddoos, unniappam, paalappam are made with lots of love and sent to relatives and neighbours.

The name Paal Appam just means that coconut milk is added to the batter which provides a sweet coconutty flavor. (Photo: Manju)

While in Andhra Pradesh, celebrations take place in almost the same manner, people also host story telling sessions called ‘Hariktathas’ in their homes. Children burst crackers with loads of enthusiasm. The city is said to look brighter than the sun itself! People make beautiful rangolis to adorn the entrance of their houses.

Rangoli (also known as Muggulu in Andhra) at the entrance of the house (Photo: Sarika Chowdhery Sharma)

Diwali in Maharashtra is similar to the Diwali celebrations in Gujarat. The first day is celebrated as Vasu Baras, when the cow and calf are worshipped. The next day is Dhana Trayodashi, the day which is auspicious for purchasing gold and silver. This is followed by Naraka Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Pooja.

Dhana Trayodashi (Photo: Ashish)

Padwa is the first day of the new month Kartik and is considered as an important day for husband and wife. This is followed by Bhaubeej which is similar to Bhai Dooj.

In Orissa, Diwali is celebrated with equal joy and happiness.  After dusk, all the members of the house gather and make a rangoli of a ‘sailboat’ with 29 chambers, on the ground. Over the drawing of each chamber, several items such as cotton, mustard, salt, turmeric etc are kept. Over the central chamber, the Prasad is kept. On top of the Prasad, there is a jute stem with a cloth wick tied around the edge. The wick is lit at the beginning of the Pooja. Holding a bundle of jute stems in their hands, the members pray for the attainment of ‘moksha’ of their forefathers.

Diwali Celebration in Delhi (Photo: Wahid Bukhari)

What makes Diwali unique in West Bengal is that, while people in other states worship Goddess Lakshmi, the deity Kali is worshipped here on Diwali. It is also a common belief among people there that, Diwali is the night of ancestors, and so people light lamps on long poles to guide their ancestors’ souls.

In other places like Assam, Madhya Pradesh and all other northern states, Diwali is celebrated with pomp and grandeur. Also in North India, during Diwali, Ramlilas and dramatic performances of the Ramayan can also be seen.

As the journey we embarked has almost come to an end, I feel like quoting the words of a great man. “It is impossible not to be astonished with India”. Diwali, the festival of beauty and lights, is a festival close to the hearts of us Indians and hence with every increasing year, the excitement and love increases by leaps and bounds.

As our Diwali is round the corner, I wish all of you a ‘Happy and safe Diwali’.

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