|
DIWALI
 Diwali
has a special importance, which has come up through the last
5000-7000 years. It is the gayest of the festivals; an occasion
of great excitement and rejoicing. It is an occasion in honour
of Rama's victory over Ravana; of Truth.
The original form of Diwali is Deepawali,which
literally means a row of lights. During Diwali, the feast
of lamps, every house is lit with little earthenware vessels
containing oil and a lighted wick, and groups of men and women
assemble along the river bank setting these little lanterns
afloat on tiny rafts and watching with intense interest the
frail craft, as they float down streams. The festivity is
in honour of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, one of
the trinity.
The myth behind the origin of Diwali is
that Lord Vishnu in his eighth incarnation as Krishna, destroyed
the demon Narakasura, who was causing great unhappiness amongst
the people of the world. Diwali or Narakachaturthi celebrates
the end of this evil.
Diwali is a festival in reverence to Lord
Rama. Illuminating the house with colourful lights means that
the mind should be decorated with spiritual accessories such
as peach, love, tolerance, generosity, etc. The earthly lamps
called Deeyas (Deep) represent the body, which is a combination
of the five elements i.e., fire, water, air, space and earth.
It is perishable and is only lent to us for a period of a
time ash to ash, dust to dust.
A bath in starlight, before sunrise is accepted
as a bath in the holy Ganges, so purifying soul and body and
auspicious way to begin the day. Such cleaning and focus on
newness are symbolic of the casting off of the last year's
sins and hope for a fresh new year.
Gold threaded saris are often exchanged,
symbolic of the golden Age in the Hindu cycle of time, a time
of purity and harmony. Old clothes are cast off as a reminder
that the old world, now in the Iron Age, will end and make
way for the new.
Deepawali (Diwali) festival is a four day
festival, which includes Laxmi Pujan, Narak Chaturdashi, Deepawali
and Bhau Beej. Laxmi Pujan is the day, when people buy new
utensils. Narak Chaturdashi is known as Chhoti Diwali (minor
Diwali) when in every household 5-7 panteo (lamps)
are lit on the door and corners.
Diwali falls on the day of Amavaseya, the
next day of which is called Pratipad, when every kind of transaction,
receipt or payment and business is postponed. On this day,
many people try the their luck of gambling.
Bhau beej falls on the next day, when the
brothers visit their sisters, out of love and affection. As
the time of Diwali approaches, there are grand preparations
by young, old, rich, poor, weak and strong. The buildings,
trees, animals, man kinds and statues are all adorned with
colourful lights and costumes.
This festive mood fills the air with great
excitement, joy and happiness. Twenty days after Sudsehra,
every house is illuminated on the day of Diwali, to commemorate
the return of Rama after 14 years in exile. Cultural programmes
and night long fire works mark the occasion.
Crackers and cacophony, colour and colourful
mood, crowd and noise, and celebrations. The dazzle of the
occasion ushers in an all pervading and overpowering spirit
of happiness and laughter and an inescapable feeling of joining
in.
 During
such time, the business men close their books of old accounts
and start new ones. This denotes the giving up of bad habits
and cultivating new attitudes. Exchanging cards and gifts
means to share the most elevated teachings (Godly teachings/Knowledge)
and have good wishes and pure feelings for all-love the neighbour
as thyself.
In Goa, huge effigies of Narkasura the demon,
are made and burnt at dawn. The night of Diwali is also be
jewelled with millions of flickering candles and an explosion
of fire works and fire crackers, so it is known as the Festival
of Lights. Lighting of lamps is one of the most beautiful
aspects of Diwali. It is the festival of Row of Lights.
It is always celebrated on the darkest night
of the year. The lamps signify enlightenment or upliftment
of the mind and edification of the spirit.
Click HERE
to see a Photo Gallery of Diwali celebrations.
See Also Hindu Festivals Celebrated in
Goa:
| Chovoth
| Diwali | Gokulashtami
| Holi | Lairai
Jatra | Nagpanchami |
| Gudi Padwa | Raksha
Bandhan | Ram Navmi | Vasco
Saptah | Chikhalkala |
|
