For Hindus, Diwali is not only a festival of lights, but also a special occasion to worship Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Mahabali. For Jains, it is an occasion to remember Lord Mahavira.
Diwali, also called Deepavali is a major Hindu festival that is very significant
in Hinduism, Sikkhism and Jainism.
Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolises the victory of good over evil,
and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. Celebrations
focus on lights and lamps. Fireworks are associated with the festival in many
regions of India.
Diwali is the name used by North Indians for the festivals while South Indians call it Deepavali. However, both names literally translated mean the same, which is "row of lights".
Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days at the end of the Hindu month of Ashwayuja. It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals in India. Hindus and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. For Hindus it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the Hindu year. Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark the time when Lord Ram achieved victory beating Ravana. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith.
Diwali is also known as festival of lights. The festival marks the victory of good over evil. The Sanskrit word Deepavali means an array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. As the knowledge of Sanskrit diminished, the name was popularly modified to Diwali, especially in northern India. In South India, Diwali does not coincide with the beginning of a new year as South Indians follow a different calendar. On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes, share sweets and snacks, and light firecrackers. The North Indian business community usually starts their financial new year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day.
Hindus find cause to celebrate this festival for different reasons.
Flowers are an integral part of Diwali as are many decorations.
While Deepavali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant
esoteric meaning is "the awareness of the inner light".
Central to Hindu philosophy, is the assertion that there is something beyond
the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the
Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the
celebration of this Inner Light, in particular the knowing of which outshines
all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the
individual to ones true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite,
immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman, comes
universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher
knowledge). This brings Ananda (Inner Joy or Peace).
Deepavali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing sweets, and worship. While the story behind Deepavali varies from region to region, the essence is the same - to rejoice in the Inner Light Atman or the underlying reality of all things Brahman.
Diwali is celebrated over five days in most of North India. All the days except Diwali are named using the designation in the Indian calendar. A lunar half-month is 15 days. Diwali as a new-moon day, marks the last day of a 15-day period. The celebrations vary in different regions:
Sikhs celebrate Diwali to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone for the Golden Temple in 1577. It is also known as Bandi Chhorh Divas. The Mughal emperor Jahangir arrested the Sikh Guru Hargobind and imprisoned him in Gwalior with 52 kings. Later Jehangir relented and released the Guru. The Guru asked that 52 rulers imprisoned with him should also be released. To the joy of the Sikhs the Guru returned to Amritsar on Diwali and it prompted the followers to celebrate the day with joy and happiness.
Henna is applied on women's hands at a Diwali Mela.
To add to the festival of Diwali, fairs called Melas are held throughout
India. Melas are to be found in many towns and villages. A mela generally becomes
a market day in the countryside when farmers buy and sell produce. Girls and
women dress attractively during the festival. They wear colourful clothing,
new jewelry and their hands are decorated with henna designs.
Among the many activities that take place at a mela are performances by jugglers, acrobats, snake charmers and fortune tellers.
Food stalls are set up, selling sweet and spicy foods. There are a variety of rides at the fair, which include Ferries wheels and rides on animals such as elephants and camels. Another attraction is the puppet shows that are shown throughout the day.