THE STORY OF DIWALI

The Festival of Lights

DIWALI THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

The word "Diwali" comes from the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" - Deepa meaning light and Avali, meaning a row. Diwali therefore literally means a row of lights and indeed illumination forms one of its main attractions. Every home is lit up with the orange glow of twinkling diyas - small earthen lamps - to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. Multi-coloured Rangoli designs, floral decorations and fireworks lend warmth and colour to this festival, which heralds joy and happiness in the year ahead. This festival is celebrated on a grand scale throughout India and symbolises the beginning of the New Year. Diwali is celebrated for five days and each day has its own significance in terms of myths, legends and beliefs.

THE FIRST DAY - DHANTERAS The FIRST day of Diwali is called DHANTERAS. The word "Dhan" means wealth and as such, this day is particularly important for the rich mercantile community of Western India. Houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colourful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. On this day, women purchase some gold or silver, believing this day to be particularly auspicious. "Lakshmi-Puja" (prayer) is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans" (devotional songs) in praise of the Goddess are sung and "Naivedya" (offerings) of traditional sweets are made to her. Throughout Indian history, there is a tradition of myths and legends, which serve to illustrate many of these beliefs: The son of King Hima was doomed to die by a snakebite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that day, his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all her ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the door of her husband's bedroom and lit numerous lamps all over the palace. She sat up all night telling stories and singing songs. When Yam, the God of Death, arrived there disguised as a serpent his eyes were blinded by the brilliance of the lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of ornaments and coins and sat there the whole night listening to the melodious songs. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then, this day of Dhanteras is also known as the day of "YAMADEEPDAAN" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night to ward off evil. [We eat the Lapsi in honour of Lakshmi]

THE SECOND DAY - NARAKA-CHATURDASHI

The SECOND day is called NARAKA-CHATURDASHI and is the darkest day of all. Throughout India, people wake before sunrise and take ritual baths, often using sandalwood paste, to cleanse themselves. The story goes that the demon king, Narakasur, after defeating Lord Indra, snatched away the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the Mother Goddess and imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of the gods and saints in his harem. On the eve of NarakaChaturdashi, Lord Krishna killed the demon king, liberated the imprisoned damsels and recovered the precious earrings. As a symbol of that victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon king's blood before returning home very early the next day. The womenfolk of the village, helped bathe away the blood and therefore, the custom of taking an early bath on this day has become a traditional practice. [We eat the Ghugra to remember Lord Krishna]

THE THIRD DAY LAKSHMI-PUJA The THIRD day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of LAKSHMIPUJA (prayer), which is entirely devoted to praising the Goddess Lakshmi. This day is also known by the name of "CHOPADA-PUJA". When the sun sets in the evening and ceremonial worship is finished, an array of homemade sweets is offered to the Goddess as "Naivedya" and then distributed to everyone as "Prasad". Feasts are arranged and gifts are exchanged on this day. Colourfully dressed men, women and children go to temples and visit their friends and relatives. On this day, the sun enters its second course and passes through Libra, which is represented by the scales. Hence, the scales symbolise the balancing of books and the closing of company accounts. Many businessmen continue this tradition today. The joyous sound of bells and drums floats from the temples, as throughout India, people make offerings to the Goddess of Wealth. It is said that the Goddess Lakshmi descended to earth from heaven in a blaze of light amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. At that moment, a sublime light of knowledge dawned upon humanity and this enlightenment is symbolised by the twinkling lamps that illuminate houses throughout India at Diwali. One of the most curious customs which characterises the festival of Diwali is the indulgence of gambling, Legend has it that the Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband, Lord Shiva, on this day and decreed that whoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the coming year. [We light a candle to honour Lakshmi and eat the Bharfi]

THE FOURTH DAY - PADWA The FOURTH day is PADWA, the first day of the Hindu New Year. This day is looked upon as the most auspicious day of the year to start any new venture. This day is also observed as ANNAKOOT, meaning mountain of food. In temples throughout the country, after the traditional prayers, a mountain of delicious sweets is ceremoniously placed in front of the gods and later eaten as Prasad (blessed food) by the congregation. In many Hindu homes it is a custom for the wife to put the red tilak on the forehead of her husband, garland him and pray for his long life. In return, the husband showers her with gifts as a symbol of his devotion to her. The story goes that the Lord Indra, in a fit of rage, sent a deluge of rain upon the people of Gokul after they failed to worship him. However, Lord Krishna saved the people of Gokul by lifting a mountain and holding it over the village as an umbrella. On this day, in some regions of India, people build hillocks, decorate them with flowers and then worship them to remember Lord Krishnas kindness. [We turn to each other and say SALMU-BARAK, to honour the New Year and eat the Gulab Jambu]

THE FIFTH DAY BHAYYA-DUJ

The FIFTH and final day of Diwali is known as "BHAYYA-DUJ" and is traditionally the day when sisters are bought presents by their brothers. The celebrating of this day is particularly important for continuing the love between brothers and sisters. It is also, once again, a day of food sharing and gift-giving. As the legend goes, Yam, the God of Death, visited his sister Yami on this particular day. She put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, garlanded him and fed him with special dishes and both of them sat together, ate the sweets, talked and enjoyed themselves. When he left, Yam gave her a special gift as a token of his love for her and pronounced that any brother who receives tilak from his sister will never cast her aside. Since then, this day celebrates the love between brothers and sisters.

Diwali has always been a festival with more social than religious connotations. It is a personal, people-oriented festival when enmities are forgotten, families and friends get together and new beginnings are made. As a festival of light, Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over dark. [WE RECITE TOGETHER] The night is black Kindle the lamp of LOVE With thy life and devotion. [WE EAT THE JELLABI TO CELEBRATE THE LAST DAY OF DIWALI]

AND NOW IT IS TIME FOR FIREWORKS !!!!