Diwali 2024: The Festival of Lights, Joy, and Unity

a candle on a colorful mandala

Diwali, sometimes referred to as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most celebrated and most treasured festivals in India and worldwide. With its bright traditions, glowing lamps, family gatherings, and the atmosphere of joy, Diwali is more than just a religious holiday; it is the celebration of hope, prosperity, and light over darkness.

Let’s dig deeper into where the festival of Diwali came from, what this festival symbolizes, the kind of rituals that are executed on Diwali and how it has been celebrated or modified over time.

  1. The Origins and Mythological Significance of Diwali

Diwali dates back thousands of years. There are descriptions in ancient Hindu scriptures as early as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Different regions within India have different mythologies about Diwali’s origin. The most widespread are:

a. Lord Rama’s homecoming to Ayodhya

Diwali in northern India celebrates Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana coming home after a 14 year long exile of Lord Rama by defeating the nefarious king Ravana, based on the epic poem Ramayana. During their return home at Ayodhya, Sita and Lakshmana accompanied with Rama, they received warm welcome and kudos from all citizens through diya lightening. Meaning good victory over evil.

b. The Legend of Lord Krishna and Narakasura

In South India, Diwali is tied up with the story of Lord Krishna when he killed the demon Narakasura, which terrorized people with his misdeeds. After killing Narakasura, Lord Krishna brought peace once again and symbolized the victory of good over evil.

c. Birthdate of Goddess Lakshmi

a woman sitting on a pile of coins
  • Diwali is considered the birthday of Goddess Lakshmi. She is, in fact, the god of prosperity and wealth. The followers believe that goddess Lakshmi bestows good luck, prosperity and wealth upon the worshiper during Diwali night. Several families and trade houses also believe in Puja performed on Lakshmi’s night during Diwali.

d. Lord Mahavira’s Enlightenment

  • To Jains, Diwali is the enlightenment of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. According to the Jain texts, He attained nirvana on this day. To the Jain communities, it is a day of reflection, prayer, and kindness.

These various traditions explain the richness of the mythological Diwali story and the broad appeal of fighting darkness and spreading light.

2. The Five Days of Diwali: A Day-by-Day Guide

Diwali is celebrated over five days each being special with its own significance and rituals.

Day 1: Dhanteras

Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali. It is an auspicious day to buy precious metals, especially gold and silver. This day speaks prosperity. On this day, many clean their houses in anticipation of the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi.

Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)

  • Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali: This is the second day of Diwali when Lord Krishna defeats Narakasura. It is done by taking an oil bath, lighting the lamps and preparing sweets in the same manner as mentioned above that sets the festival mood for the people.

Day 3: Lakshmi Puja (Main Diwali)

a woman sitting on the floor with candles and flowers
  • The third day is the last day of Diwali, in which people worship Goddess Lakshmi. People clean and decorate their homes with diyas, rangolis, and flowers to welcome prosperity and wealth into their homes. Business places also submit their annual accounts and pray to God for a prosperous account year. Fireworks can be seen lighting up throughout the night.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja / Annakut

  • Govardhan Puja in Northern India commemorates the day Lord Krishna raised Mount Govardhan to save his devotees from heavy rains. It is said that part of the country is known as Annakut where foodstuffs were offered to deities elaborately as a mark of thanks for the blessings provided by nature.

Bhai Dooj-Day 5

  • The last day of Diwali is called Bhai Dooj. On this day, brothers and sisters celebrate their relations. Sisters do aarti for their brothers, praying to God for their long life and good health. The brothers give gifts to their sisters, showing mutual love and protection.

These five days of Diwali combined represent joy, unity, and prosperity.

Diwali decoration has much to do with the gaiety of the festival. Every ornamental thing is something worthwhile and enhances the symbolism of the festival and its beauty.

a group of lit candles on a table

a. Diyas (Oil Lamps)

  • Diyas are the quintessential symbol of Diwali that represents the theme of lighting up darkness. People paste their homes with diyas in doorways and windowsills symbolizing triumph of knowledge over ignorance to welcome positive energy into their lives.

b. Rangoli

Rangoli is a beautiful design made with colored powders, flowers, or rice in front of homes on doors. Traditionally performed for welcoming guests, the rangoli patterns also bring along the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. Family and friends compete with one another to make pretty rangolis and make it an amusing art culture.j

c. Torans (Door Hangings)

  • Torans or Bandanwars: These are decorated with newly bloomed leaves and colorful beads that are fixed on every entrance of the house. Torans are considered auspicious that bring good fortune and happiness in one’s life.
     
    d. Candles and Fairy Lights
    Modern times make use of fairy lights and scented candles. These add a warm, glowing ambiance to homes, enhancing the festive spirit and giving a modern touch to traditional decor.

4. Traditional Diwali Sweets and Delicacies

Diwali became synonymous with excess indulgence in the sweets and the savories of yesteryear. Sweets are exchanged in boxes with families as goodwill gestures. Friends get together and just indulge in all sorts.

a. Ladoo

  • Ladoos are round-shaped sweets made of gram flour, coconut, or sesame seeds. The flavoring is cardamom, and the outer covering is edible silver leaf. The variety of ladoos differs from region to region and adds to the festive feel.

b. Barfi

  • Barfi is a highly dense sweet, prepared with milk, sugar, and ghee with an essence of pistachio, almond, and saffron. Different flavors for Barfi can be prepared using chocolate, mango, or rose to make this famous dish enjoyed during Diwali.
    c. Kaju Katli
  • Cashew fudge is a sweet rich, prepared with cashew nuts along with sugar, flavored delicately by the texture of cardamom. The smooth texture and tasteful richness make the Namkeen or savory snacks one of the most popular sweets to gift as well as receive during Diwali.

d. Namkeens (Savory Snacks)

Along with the sweets, savory snacks such as chakli, sev, and samosas are prepared to balance the flavors and enhance the festive meals. These snacks add variety to the Diwali platter, making it an indulgent feast.

These delicacies shared with family and friends strengthen bonds and bring a sense of joy and togetherness.

5. The Environmental Impact of Diwali and Sustainable Celebrations

While Diwali is believed to bring happiness, these festivities, especially the one involving firecrackers, also harm the environment. For example, firecrackers pollute the air and raise the noise level. More lighting also translates to more energy.

Over time, many people have come to embrace Diwali practices that cause less damage to the environment; among them are:

  • The clay diyas are biodegradable and energy-saving. Using soy-based or beeswax candles instead of paraffin also helps in reducing the emissions of toxic fumes in the atmosphere.

b. Curbing or Ban on Fireworks

  • Fireworks lead to respiratory problems especially in towns where air pollution levels are already high. People avoid or reduce fireworks, opting for laser shows, music, or other celebrations that do not harm the environment.
fireworks

c. Reuse and Upcycle Decorations

  • Many families, instead of buying new decorations every year, use or create decorations out of recycled materials. Doing this, they give their homes uniqueness and save the environment with minimal production of waste.

d. Donation to Charities

In this new beautiful tradition, most families now spend a share of their Diwali budget on charity, such as education, healthcare, and food security. This makes the festival even more meaningful as it extends the spirit of giving to those in need.

Through these sustainable practices, families can have a joyous and eco-friendly Diwali.

6. Diwali International: International Festival

While Diwali continues to be India’s largest celebrated festival, it has become accessible to people around the globe through Indian expatriate communities.

a. Diwali in the United States

  • In most American cities, Diwali is a cultural festival. There are community celebrations, cultural events, and public fireworks. In 2021, New York City added Diwali to the list of holidays for schools as it has cultural significance.

b. Diwali in the United Kingdom

Diwali is also celebrated effusively in the UK, primarily in cities which contain large Indian populations, for example, London, Leicester, and Birmingham. Among the largest Diwali celebrations outside India, the city of Leicester hosts events where thousands gather each year to watch fireworks and pray together.

c. Diwali in the Caribbean and South Africa

  • Diwali is a public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and South Africa where Indian communities preserved and shared their heritage. Diwali celebrations take the form of prayers, dance, music, and traditional food.
    Diwali celebrates across the world; therefore, the universal appeal it possesses indicates a collective human need for peace, prosperity, and community.

Conclusion

Diwali is more than just a festival. It is a tapestry of ancient stories, cultural traditions, and universal values of light, hope, and unity. From lighting diyas to exchanging sweets, Diwali brings together families and communities to celebrate the blessings of life and the triumph of good over evil.

Diwali stands aloft through the ages by embracing sustainable practices and the message of light and unity. So, this Diwali, light that diya, share a sweet, and let the spirit of unity and joy make it extraordinary to celebrate.

A Detailed post on Dhanteras https://knowledgekendra.com/dhanteras-2024things-to-buy-and-avoid/

Rangoli designs for diwali decorations https://knowledgekendra.com/rangoli-design-for-diwali-2024-vibrant-patterns-to-try/

also visit https://www.britannica.com/topic/Diwali-Hindu-festival

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