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Diwali

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Diwali or Deepawali, literally meaning, ‘row of light’, is a prominent festival of Hindu, Sikh and Jain religion. The festival is celebrated by every person with great splendor and enthusiasm. Diwali is a five day long festival starting from 15th day of Kartik month in Hindu calendar around September or October. The festival is marked by start of new Hindu Year in Gujrat state. Many regional stories and significance is attached to Deepawali festival.

Diwali is a sacred festival of Sikhs as on this day Guru Har Govind Singh freed 52 Hindu kings from imprisonment in Gwalior fort. The festival is also called as Bandi Chhor Divas among Sikhs.

For Jains the day is marked by Nirwan or libration of Mahavir Swami. The people light lamps in remembrance of the sage saying that since the light of knowledge has gone, lit the light of earthly lamps. Jain calendar starts with Diwali.

Hindus celebrate the festival of light for full six days. First day is named as Vasu Baras is the day to worship cows. Second day is Dhan Teras, the day for shopping utensils. The day also commemorates coming out of God Dhanvantari from churning of the sea. Third day is marked as Narak Chaturdashi, the day when Lord Krishna killed demon Narkasura. This day is celebrated as Diwali in south India. Fourth day is the most important of all the five days. On this day worship of Laxmi-Ganesh is done for wellness and prosperity. Lamps are lighted on this day. Fifth day is celebrated as Bali Pratipada in south India and Govardhan Puja in North India. This day reminds two incarnations of lord Vishnu, namely Vaman and Krishna. Sixth day is Yam Dyutiya, day of pious relation between brother and sister.

The six day long celebration marks the end of harvest season and a time to celebrate for the farmers. In spite of all these variations and diversity the core of the festival is the realization of inner light ‘the Atma’ or the soul.