The word ‘Deepavali, means
an array of lights (Deep – Lamp, Aavali – Array). It falls on the previous day
of the New Moon in between mid of October and November.
Deepavali is
celebrated by the lighting of many lamps in every courtyard and bursting of
crackers. Sweetmeats and new clothes are part of the celebration. The festival
of lights is celebrated all over the world in different forms
The celebration of Diwali is
closely related with India’s two classic epics the Ramayan and Mahabharata. According
to mythology, this is celebrated to commemorate Rama’s return from exile at the
end of fourteen years. It is also in memory of the destruction of the demon
called Narakasura by Lord Krishna.
The people of Dwaraka
greeted Lord Krishna with illumination and rejoicing in honuor of his victory.
The darkness of the Chatudasi night forced them to use many lamps on the
occasion, and the illumination became a part of this celebration.
Before sunrise, all have
their oil bath and put on new clothes. Sweets are served followed by bursting
of crackers. As the light dispels darkness, ignorance is replaced b knowledge.
The prayer in the Upanishad ‘Thamasoma Jyothirgamaya’ means “lead us from the
darkness to light.”
Deepavali is associated with
merchants and the Goddess of weath. It is the practice in south India to
consume a preparation of dry ginger and jiggery soon after the oil bath on the
Deepavali day. Dry ginger and jiggery from the Niveda (offering) for
Dhanwantari, the great exponent of Ayurveda.
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