Deepawali

Deepawali or Diwali is the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It's the festival of lights (deep = light and avali = a row i.e., a row of lights) that's marked by four days of celebration, which literally illumines the country with its brilliance, and dazzles all with its joy. Each of the four days in the festival of Diwali is separated by a different tradition, but what remains true and constant is the celebration of life, its enjoyment and goodness.

The Origin of Diwali

Historically, the origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali or 'Deepawali.' Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. Whereas in Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day. In Jainism, Deepawali has an added significance to the great event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss of nirvana. Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.

Diwali Celebrations across India:

The markets of Gujarat liven up almost a whole month in advance for Diwali shoppers; from Jewelery; clothes; sweets; gift articles; shoes; etc to fire crackers; everything is in demand and plentiful in supply. It's a mad frenzy of shopping everywhere, in the days leading up to the festival.

Gujaratis start celebrations on the night before Diwali by creating designs - usually depicting nature or the gods - from natural powder colours in verandas. These are called "rangoli" and are supposed to welcome Goddess Lakshmi to the house. In a way they are a means of competition and pride amongst their creators. Also, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses.

On Diwali day the clothes worn are usually Jhabba (kurta)-dhotis or Jhabba-legengas for the men, while the women are in saris. A visit to the temple is customary. The day is spent preparing food and sweets. Shops are open, but business comes to a halt on Dhanteras, two days before Diwali, and doesn't resume until Labh Pancham, the fifth day of the newyear. For traders and businessmen, this is the time for a vacation. Diwali evening is celebrated by lighting up streets and markets, and bursting crackers.

In Tamil Nadu Diwali commemorates the death of Narakasura at the hands of Lord Sri Krishna. Typical Deepavali celebrations begin with waking up early in the morning, before sun rise, followed by an oil-bath. The bathing tradition involves extensive massaging of warm til-oil containing pepper corns, betel leaves. New clothes are typically worn as a part of celebrations. After the bath, a home-made medicine known as "Deepavali Lehiyam" is consumed, which is supposed to aid in smoothening digestive problems that may ensue due to feasting that occurs later in the day.

Diwali is celebrated with great joy in Odisha. Rows of oil lamps, candles adorn the thresholds of all houses. Tarpanam is done in the morning of diwali. A rangoli(Muruja) of a sailboat is made on the ground. The boat has seven chambers in north, ten chamber in east, and twelve chamber in south. The east chamber are meant for gods, north chamber for seer or Rishi and south chambers for manes and forefathers. Over the drawing of each different chamber several items are kept – cotton, mustard, salt, asparagus root, turmeric, sweets, cakes and a wild creeper. Over the central chamber are the offerings meant for [prasad]. Perched over the prasad is a jute stem with a cloth wick tied around the edge. It is lit at the beginning of the puja.

Dev Deepavali is celebrated on the 15^th day after Diwali, on Kartik Purnima. The festival is celebrated as a welcome to the Gods and Goddesses on Earth on the banks of the Holy Ganges.  The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department organizes a four day festival and showcases the heritage and culture of Varanasi. The day is celebrated with offering prayers to the Holy Ganges. The prayers are offered by chanting vedic scriptures, hymns and lighting big Diyas (clay pots). The Ganges looks ablaze with so many diyas lit on its banks. It’s a breathtaking sight as thousands of diyas flicker.

Diwali in Nepal

Diwali is known as "Tihar" or "Swanti" in Nepal. It is celebrated during the October/November period. Here the festival is celebrated for five days and the traditions vary from those followed in India.

In Nepal, family gathering is more significant during Diwali. People in the community play "Deusi and Bhailo" which is a kind of singing and dancing forming a group. People go to all the houses in the community and play songs and dance, and give blessings to the visited house, whereas the home owner gives gifts like rice, Roti, fruits and money. After the festival, people donate some part of the collected money and food to the charity or welfare groups and with the rest of the money and food, they go for a picnic. People also play swing called Dore Ping made out of thick ropes and Pirke Ping or Rangate Ping made out of wood.