Diwali

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Diwali or Dipavali is an All India Festival. It is one of the most joyful and beautiful festivals to be celebrated on the Indian subcontinent. The word Dipavali literally translates as a row of lamps in Sanskrit. It is traditional for adherents of Diwali-celebrating faiths to light small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil within an individual. It is generally celebrated in the months of October or November, according to the English calendar. It is one of the most important Indian festivals and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed around the world regardless of faith. On this auspicious day people dress up in their best new clothes and visit their relatives and friends with boxes of dry fruits and sweets and loads of love in their huge generous hearts.

History - Though it is celebrated by people of all faiths, this day has a great significance, especially for the people belonging to Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. This day marks certain important events for all the three religions.

Hinduism - Diwali marks the return of Lord Raama to his kingdom Ayodhya after defeating Ravana (the Demon King) - the ruler of Lanka in the epic story of Ramayana. Lord Rama, wife, Sita and loyal brother Lakshman had been exiled for 14 years beyond the kingdom of Ayodhya. King of Ceylon, Ravana, abducted Mataa Sita while they were in exile. An epic battle took place between Lord Raama and Ravana in order to rescue Mataa Sita.. In this battle Lord Rama was ably helped by Lord Hanuman and his army of monkeys as well as an army of courageous bears. After emerging victorious in the battle, it was time for Lor Raama to return to Ayodhya, as 14 long years of exile spent in the forest were coming to an end. The people of Ayodhya lit lamps in every home to welcome their true King as well as celebrate his victory over Ravana and also the safe return of their Queen Sita. They danced and made merry to express their joy over his return. And as a mark of respect and worship the festivities continue every year till today.  

Another occasion that marks Diwali celebrations is the victory of Lord Krishna who battled a demon called Narakasura and emerged victorious. The people of the city were overjoyed and welcomed Krishna back with lamps in their hands. Since Rama and Krishna are two of the most popular gods in the Hindu lore, Diwali is celebrated with much pomp and glory. Both signify the victory of good over evil.

Jainism - Diwali marks the attainment of moksa by Mahavira in 527 BC. Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, attained Nirvana or Moksha on this day at Pavapuri on Oct. 15, 527 BC, on Chaturdashi of Kartika, as Tilyapannatti of Yativrashaba from the sixth century states. Mahavira attained his nirvana at the dawn of the amavasya (new moon). According to the Kalpasutra by Acharya Bhadrabahu, 3rd century BC, many gods were present there, illuminating the darkness. The following night was pitch black without the light of the gods or the moon. To symbolically keep the light of their master's knowledge alive : 16 Gana-kings, 9 Malla and 9 Lichchhavi, of Kasi and Kosal, illuminated their doors. They said: "Since the light of knowledge is gone, we will make light of ordinary matter"

Sikhism -  Diwali commemorates the return of Guru Har Gobind Ji to Amritsar after freeing 52 other Hindu kings imprisoned in Fort Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir in 1619. He was welcomed by the people who lit candles and divas to celebrate his return, which is why Sikhs also refer to Diwali also as Bandi Chhorh Divas meaning "the day of release of detainees".

The Mughal Emperor Jahangir had imprisoned Guru Har Gobind Ji and 52 other Hindu Rajas (Kings). Emperor Jahangir had imprisoned the sixth Guru because he was afraid of the Guru's growing, followings and power. The Emperor was asked to release Guru Hargobind which he agreed to do. However, Guru Hargobind asked that the Hindu Kings be released also. The Emperor agreed, but said only those who could hold onto his cloak tail would be allowed to leave the prison. This was in order to limit the number of prisoners who could leave. However, Guru Hargobind had made a large cloak with 52 tassels and so each King was able to hold onto one tassel and leave prison. Sikhs celebrated the return of Guru Hargobind Ji by lighting the Golden Temple and this tradition continues today.

Diwali as a Five Day Festival - Amongst Hindus, Diwali celebrations are spread over Five Days in India and all over the world. All the days except Diwali are named according to their designation in the Hindu calendar. These are :

• Vasu Baras (27 Ashvin or 12 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Baras means 12th day and vasu means cow. On this day cow and calf are worshipped.
• Dhanatrayodashi or Dhan Teras (28 Ashvin or 13 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "13th day". Thus, as the name implies, this day falls on the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month. It is an auspicious day for shopping of utensils and gold.This day is also regarded as the Jayanti of God Dhanvantri who came out during the churning of the great ocean by the gods and the demons.
• Naraka Chaturdashi (29 Ashvin or 14 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Chaturdashi is the fourteenth day on which demon Narakasura was killed by god Krishna - an inacranation of god Vishnu. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness (Gujarati: Kali Chaudas, Rajasthan : Roop Chaudas). In south India, this is the actual day of festivities. Hindus wake up well before dawn, as early as two in the morning, have a fragrant oil bath and wear new clothes. They light small lamps all around the house and draw elaborate kolams /rangolis outside their homes. They perform a special puja with offerings to Krishna or Vishnu, as he liberated the world from the demon Narakasura on this day. 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 the puja, children burst firecrackers heralding the defeat of the demon. As this is a day of rejoicing, many will have very elaborate breakfasts and lunches and meet family and friends.
• Lakshmi Puja (30 Ashvin or 15 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Lakshmi Puja marks the most important day of Diwali celebrations in North India. Hindu homes worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings, and then light lamps all across the streets and homes to welcome prosperity and well-being.
• Bali Pratipada and Govardhan Puja (1 Kartika or 1 Shukla Paksha Kartika) : In North India, this day is celebrated as Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut, is celebrated as the day Krishna - an incarnation of god Vishnu - defeated god Indra and by the lifting of Govardhana hill to save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods. For Annakut, a mountain of food is decorated symbolizing Govardhan hill lifted by Krishna. In Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it is celebrated as Bali-Pratipada or Bali Padyami. The day commemorates the victory of Vishnu in his dwarf form Vamana over demon-king Bali, who was pushed to the nether world and the return of Bali to earth from the nether-world. In Maharashtra, it is called as Padava or Nava Diwas ("new day"). Men present gifts to their wives on this day. It is celebrated as the first day of the Vikram Samvat calender, in Gujarat.
• Bhaiduj (also Bhayyaduj, Bhaubeej or Bhayitika) (2 Kartikaor 2 Shukla Paksha Kartika): on this day, brothers and sisters meet to express their love and affection for each other (Gujarati: Bhai Bij, Bengali: Bhai Phota). It is based on a story when Yam, lord of Death, visited his sister Yami. Yami welcomed yam with an Aarti and they had a feast together. Yam gave a gift to Yami while leaving as a token of his appreciation. So, the day is also called 'YAM DWITIYA'. Most Indian festivals bring together families, Bhaiduj brings together sisters and brothers, and is a significant festive day for them. This festival is ancient, and pre-dates 'Raksha Bandhan' another brother-sister festival celebrated in the present day.

Diwali as a Three Day Festival - Jains celebrate Diwali in a different manner. There is a note of asceticism in the way they celebrate Diwali. The Jains celebrate Diwali during the month of Kartik for three days. During this period, among the Shvetambaras, devoted Jains observe fasting and chant the Uttaradhyayan Sutra, which contain the final pravachans of Lord Mahavira, and meditate upon him. Some Jains visit Pavapuri in Bihar where he attained Nirvan. In may temples special laddus are offered particularly on this day.

Vira Nirvana Samvat: The Jain year starts with Pratipada following Diwali. Vira Nirvana Samvat 2534 starts with Diwali 2007. The Jain businesspeople traditionally started their accounting year from Diwali. The relationship between the Vir and Shaka era is given in Titthogali Painnaya and Dhavalaa by Acharya Virasena: Thus the Nirvana occurred 605 years and 5 months before the Saka era. On 21 October 1974 the 2500th Nirvana Mahotsava was celebrated by all the Jain throughout India.

Alternate Names - Deepavali, Festival of Lights, Bandi Chhorh Divas, Tyohar (Nepal).

Holiday Status - It is Government Holiday in India, Nepal, Guyana, Malaysia, Singapore