Deepavali, known as the festival of lights is celebrated by all Hindus worldwide. Lighting of oil lamps during deepavali signify victory of good over the evil within an individual.
This festival usually falls between mid October and mid November, it is celebrated in the Tamil month of aipasi (thula month) 'naraka chaturdasi' thithi, preceding no moon day (Amavasai). While Divali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light".
The Legend -
There are many interesting legend behind this festival. For Tamils, Diwali festival often commemorates the conquering of the Demon king Narakasuran. The story goes that Narakasuran, a demon, ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Naraka, son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power from a blessing given by Lord Brahma after a severe penance. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace with his invincible might.
Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture. But Narakasuran had a boon that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Sathyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka.
When Krishna fell unconscious after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Sathyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Naraka, killing him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhudevi. Bhudevi, mother of the slain demon Naraka, declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. It is said Lord Krishna had an oil bath to rid himself off the blood spattered on his body when Naraka was killed. The day Narakasuran died was celebrated as Deepavali, the triumph of good over evil!
The tradition is followed and people offer prayers on the previous day of the Naraka Chaturdashi to the vessel in which water is being heated for having bath. The house is washed the previous day and decorated with kolam. Hindus light fireworks, which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasuran who was killed on this day.
Some believe that when Narakasuran was to be killed, Lord Krishna asked him his last wish. Narakasura replied that he wanted to enjoy the last day of his life in a grand manner and Diwali was celebrated. That was the beginning and the practice continued.
In the northern part of India it is celebrated as the return of Ram along with Sita and Lakshman from his 14 years of exile after killing Ravana. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his subjects illuminated the kingdom and burst crackers. For the Gujaratis, Marwaris and other business community Diwali marks the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and also the beginning of the new financial year.
Celebrations -
Deepavali celebrations begins early in the morning and the first ritual will be having an oil bath, which is an important feature of Deepavali. The eldest family member applies oil on the heads of all the family members and all set for bath. It is believed that taking a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still visible in the sky is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy Ganges.
After bath all family members emerge with new clothes and a special puja is performed for the family deities. And the youngsters worship the elders and get blessed. The family then sit together and enjoy the breakfast that consists of variety of sweets and traditional dishes.
In the evening, lamps are lighted and crackers are burst.
The Diwali Celebrations include a visit to the temple, visiting close relatives houses and receiving blessings of elders, sharing meals and exchanging gifts.
Some, would not go visiting on that day but would stay at home to welcome the guests who visit them.
Deepavali (Dīpāwali or Dīwali) is also a significant festival in Sikhism, and Jainism, and an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
In many parts of India Deepavali (Diwali) celebrations are spread over five days. As per Hindu calendar, Diwali is centered on the new moon day that ends the month of Ashwin and begins the month of Kartika, beginning on the 13th day of the dark half of Ashwin (Ashwin 28th) and ending on the 2nd day of the bright half of Kartika (Kartika 2nd). The main day of celebration varies regionally.
In Jainism, Diwali marks the attainment of nirvana by Mahavira on 15 October, 527 BC.
Diwali has been significant in Sikhism since the illumination of the town of Amritsar commemorating the return of Guru Har Gobind Ji (1595-1644), the sixth Guru of Sikhism, who was imprisoned along with 52 other Hindu kings at Fort Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir. After freeing the other prisoners, he went to the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in the holy city of Amritsar, where he was welcomed happily by the people who lit candles and divas to greet the Guru. Because of this, Sikhs often refer to Diwali also as Bandi Chhorh Divas - "the day of release of detainees."
Gujaratis, Marwaris and some North Indian business communities start their financial year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day.
For Bengalis, it is the time to worship Goddess Kali or Durga. The Goddess Durga continued her "Vilaya Tandava" even after killing demon Mahishasura.
Spiritual significance -
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 Athma. 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 one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Athma comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Anantham (inner joy or peace).
While the story behind Dipavali varies from region to region, the essence is the same - to rejoice in the inner light (Athma) or the underlying reality of all things (Brahma).
