In Hindu Culture, light is a powerful metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. Lighting a lamp signifies the value Hindus attach to education, self-enquiry and improvement, which bring harmony to individuals and communities.
The act of lighting a lamp affirms the fact that knowledge dispels ignorance just like light dispels darkness.
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Asato ma sad gamaya Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya Mrtyor ma amrtam gamaya |
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From ignorance, lead me to truth; From darkness, lead me to light; From death, lead me to immortality |
Abstinence purifies
Whether an organisation is hosting a public Deepawali (Diwali) Party or it is a quieter celebration, the following guidelines will help in marking the occasion with authenticity and cultural appropriateness.
Deepawali is a very pious and spiritual festival. It is customary to start the celebrations by lighting a lamp, without wearing any footwear. Once the lamp is lit, the space is sanctified.
The pious spirit of Deepawali is best honoured in a tobacco-free and alcohol-free environment where only vegetarian food (no poultry, fish or meat) is served.
Wearing ethnic dress is welcome to make the celebration vibrant and colourful.
Usually, a group of people celebrating Deepawali together bring with them a plate of vegetarian (no poultry, fish or meat) sweets to celebrate.
‘Happy Diwali’ is the most common greeting exchanged between families and friends.
Make the Festival of Lights very special for everyone attending your celebration.
The purpose
In an increasingly culturally diverse New Zealand, organisations (workplaces, private and public institutions) now celebrate multicultural festivals.
Deepawali is one of them. It is the biggest and brightest of festivals celebrated by Hindus.
Deepawali is a Sanskrit word comprising two roots, namely Deep and Awali, which mean ‘Row of Lights.’ The word is often contracted to ‘Diwali.’
On Deepawali day, rows of small clay lamps (Diyas) are traditionally lit and placed in houses. Fireworks are seen everywhere giving Deepawali its description, ‘Festival of Lights.’
Deepawali is the biggest and most significant Festival celebrated by Hindus around the world. It symbolises the light of knowledge that destroys ignorance. In Hindu culture, striving to remove ignorance is the primary goal of life.
Evil destroyed
Deepawali was the day on which the Kingdom of Ayodhya rejoiced on the home coming of Lord Rama after victory over the tyrannical king Ravan thousands of years ago.
Also, on this day, Lakshmi, the Goddess of Peace and Prosperity, incarnated. Hence, the association of Deepawali with the worship of Lakshmi.
According to another legend, Deepawali also marks the victory of Lord Krishna over the diabolical Narakasura and the rescue of 16,000 women from his captivity.
Five Festive days
Deepawali is marked by five days of celebration. Each of the five days of festivities denotes a different tradition with the common theme of reverence towards goodness in the natural order and celebration of life.
Dhan Teras
The ‘Festival of Wealth’ (Dhan means Prosperity and Teras means the 13th Day) is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the fortnight of waning Moon (Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu month of Karthik (October-November).
This day marks the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi.
Chhoti Deepawali
Chhoti (mini) Deepawali, also called ‘Narak Chaturdashi,’ celebrated on the eve of Deepawali. The demonic Narakasura was slain on this day by Lord Krishna.
Deepawali
Deepawali commemorates that auspicious day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravan. Since then, this day symbolises victory of good over evil.
Govardhan Pooja/Annakoot
Govardhan Pooja follows the day of Deepawali. It commemorates Lord Krishna’s feat of lifting the Govardhan Mountain on his little finger to save the residents of Vrindavan from torrential rains.
Bhaiduj
Bhaiduj is a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters, who prey together on this day for peace and harmony of people around the world.
The above Guidelines were issued in public interest by The Hindu Council of New Zealand Inc, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua and reproduced here with the permission of Council President Vinod Kumar
The following information appeared under Hinduism and Diwali under ‘Region Facts’ website:
Gambling good
Gambling is encouraged during the Diwali season as a way of ensuring good luck for the coming year and in remembrance of the games of dice played by the Lord Shiva and Parvati on Mount Kailash or between Radha and Krishna in Vrindavan.
In honour of Lakshmi, the female player always wins during Diwali.
The fourth day, the main day of Diwali and the beginning of the Lunar month of Kartika marks the beginning of the New Year according to the Vikrama calendar.
On this day, merchants perform religious ceremonies and open new account books.
It is generally a time for visiting, exchanging gifts, cleaning and decorating houses, feasting, setting off fireworks displays, and wearing new clothes.
Regional Variation
In South India, which uses the ‘Shalivahana’ calendar, Diwali does not coincide with the beginning of a New Year. Ugadi Day in April is the New Year’s Day for people of Karnataka, Andhra and Telangana, while Keralites mark their New Year with Vishu. Tamils mark their New Year’s Day on April 13 or 14.
In England, Dhanteras, Narak Chatrudashi, Lakshmi-Pooja Padwa (or Varshapratipanda) and Bhaiya Dooj (or the Teeka Ceremony) are important. In Trinidad and Tobago, the Diwali Day is a public holiday and celebrations precede Lakshmi Pooja for about two weeks. This event is one of the foremost religious observances in the country.
Other Religions
The Diwali season is also significant to Sikhs. During the Festival time in 1620, the Sixth Guru, Hargobind Singh gained the release of 52 Hindu princes, who had been falsely imprisoned in the Gwalior Fort by the Mughals.
The Golden Temple of Amritsar was lit with many lights to welcome the release. Sikhs have maintained the tradition with great dignity and honour.
Jains also celebrate Diwali to commemorate the establishment of the Dharma by Lord Mahavira. The lights symbolise the Light of Holy Knowledge.
Additional reading on Diwali around the World elsewhere in this Diwali 2014 Special.
