Diwali: History, Significance and Traditions Around the Festival of Light
Last updated on January 5th, 2024 at 05:38 pm
Diwali, the festival of lights is here, it’s the time to wear your festive gear and spread some cheer.
Deepavali, as this festival is also called, is the time to hang lanterns and light oil lamps, in the effort to banish the darkness from not just our surroundings but also our hearts.
Diwali is the time to illuminate every dark corner around and within us, and enlighten our minds. It is perhaps the most important festival in India and is celebrated with great aplomb by Indians across the globe. Here is an overview of the history of this festival and its cultural and spiritual significance.
Why is Diwali Celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated in the northern hemisphere on Trayodashi (the 13th day) of the Karthigai month in the lunar calendar, marking the onset of winter. This seasonal timing has deep scientific significance in this culture, as it helps people navigate the dark winter months without losing their sense of balance and purpose.
Mystic Takeaway by Sadhguru
According to Sadhguru, the tradition of lighting lamps during Diwali dates back to ancient times, spanning thousands of years. People observed that life tends to slow down during this period due to the changing seasons. Diwali, in essence, is a way to combat this inertia and stagnation.
Diwali celebration is a reminder that by dispelling these negative forces and embracing the light, individuals can bring forth a new, positive energy in their lives.
Diwali is celebrated with a rich tapestry of legends, and a few of these narratives are presented below.
1. Naraka Chaturdashi: The Triumph of Good Over Evil
Diwali, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, commemorates the death of the demon king Naraka at the hands of Lord Krishna.
Naraka, who had a noble background but engaged in evil deeds, came to a realization of his negative actions at the moment of his death. He requested that his death be celebrated as the victory over his own negativity.
Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and the need for individuals to recognize and eliminate the negativity within themselves during their lifetimes.
The festival serves as a reminder that one can choose to transform themselves for the better or wait for life to force them into change.
Sadhguru says – “Naraka chose that Krishna should come and whip him while, Krishna chose to whip himself into shape. That is a big difference. One gets worshipped as a god, another gets put down as a demon – this is all it is.
Either you beat yourself into shape or life will one day beat you into shape – or out of shape, whichever way. Diwali is a reminder of this. Let’s light it up.”
2. Return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya
It is believed that Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, to the kingdom of Ayodhya, where people greeted him by lighting oil lamps along the way.
3. Legends Surrounding Goddess Lakshmi
Diwali is commonly linked with the birth of goddess Lakshmi and it is believed that she was born out of the Samudra Manthana (churning of the cosmic ocean). According to another legend, the night of Diwali was when Goddess Lakshmi got married to Lord Vishnu.
The mythological tales around the reasons for Diwali celebration vary. However, the common thread between them is the triumph of good over evil and Deepavali celebrates light which is a representation of positive energy, vibrance and knowledge.
How is Diwali Celebrated?
The 5-day festival of Deepavali begins two days before the amavasya (new moon) of the month of Ashwin and extends into the month of Kartik. Let’s look at the significance and the customs and traditions of the five days of Diwali.
Day 1. Dhanteras: Celebrating the Emergence of Dhanvantari
The first day of Diwali is Dhanteras. According to Hindu traditions, this day marks the emergence of Dhanvantari from the Samudra Manthan. He came out with a pot of elixir (amrut) held in one hand and the sacred text of Ayurveda held in the other.
On Dhanteras, houses are cleaned and entrances are decorated with oil lamps, lanterns and rangolis, and Dhanvantari, the god of health and Ayurveda, is worshipped in the evening.
Day 2. The Day of Narkasura’s Defeat
The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi, which marks the day when lord Krishna killed Narkasura. The rituals for this day include an early morning bath and lighting of an oil lamp to worship lord Yama. Various delicacies are prepared and savored on this day. This tradition is probably linked with the origin of Diwali as a harvest festival.
Day 3. Worshiping the Goddess of Wealth
Next comes Lakshmi Puja. On this day, goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Most people perform a puja of their wealth and valuables, as a symbol of Lakshmi. This day falls on amavasya. So, it is a custom to light oil lamps and illuminate the house and surroundings, so as to vanquish darkness (both literally and figuratively). The ritual of the lighting of lamps is a symbolic way to eliminate the darkness of ignorance, laziness, sorrow and evil.
Day 4. Victory of Lord Vishnu
Then comes Padwa (Balipratipada). It is the 3rd day of Deepavali and falls on the first day of the month of Kartik. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu took the form of a batu (young boy) and defeated Baliraja who had conquered heaven and Earth, thus posing a threat to the Gods.
Diwali Padwa also celebrates the relationship between a husband and wife. Wives pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands and the husbands shower the wives with gifts, to express gratitude towards them.
Day 5. Celebrating the Bond Between Siblings
Bhai Dooj is the fifth day of Diwali. It celebrates the beautiful bond between a brother and his sister. On this day, sisters pray for the long life and well-being of their brothers and the brothers return this gesture with a token of appreciation for their sisters in the form of gifts.
A legend says that Lord Yama agreed that a sister who invites her brother and serves him food on this day, will never be a widow. So, traditionally, sisters invite their brothers on the day of Bhai Dooj.
This was an overview of the reasons behind Deepavali celebration and the customs and rituals around this festival of lights. Diwali 2023 is fast approaching; are you prepared for it?
The dates for Diwali 2023 are:
- November 10: Dhanteras
- November 12: Naraka Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Pujan
- November 14: Diwali Padwa
- November 15: Bhaidooj
Get ready to shop for yourself and your dear ones, it’s time to bring on the celebration and add some sparkle to your lives! Declutter your houses and your hearts and make space for light and color.
Come to think of it, Diwali embodies the nurturance of health, worship of wealth, kindling of knowledge, power of the good, and gratitude towards the people in our lives. So, Diwali is a celebration of light; no, life!