Diwali Festival represents vigor truly.Hinduism and festivals are virtually inseparable; it can be said that the religion and its views are best expressed through these festivals. Nevertheless, there are differences too. Since Hindu culture is not homogeneous and ethnicity and linguistic identity do play major roles at times, a number of festivals do exist in different parts of India and around the globe. Only a few Hindu festivals do exist, celebrated by all Hindus irrespective of social echelons and ethnic and linguistic differences. One of these is certainly Diwali or the festival of lights. Well, the word happens to be a contraction of the original word Deepavali in Sanskrit, ancient language of Hindu India.
What does the word Deepawali signify then? It, if truth be told, embodies a row of lamps that are lighted to celebrate the triumph of virtue over vice and of good over evil forces. What is most striking, none knows anything of the origin of this festival but has been going on through ages incessantly.
But surely the most popular legend regarding Diwali is associated with Lord Rama. According to one school of thought in the realm of Hinduism, the festival celebrates the historic and victorious return of the Indian emperor to his kingdom after overcoming King Ravana in Lanka. There are other religious legends too. Diwali also commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over Naraka Sura, the noted demon king. Diwali is also celebrated by both Jains and Sikhs. In Jainism, Dioali symbolizes Lord Mahavir’s accomplishment of moksha in 527 BC.
Well, by now Diwali has become a national festival in the domains of both India and Nepal and people in both of these countries leave no stone unturned to make the festival a grand success. Almost every lane and alley even in these two countries get illuminated and perhaps the overall picture can be seen best from the heaven.
In many parts of India, especially the north, people, during this time, are found to be dressed in new clothes and partake in distributing sweets among others. Furthermore, a number of Indian business communities begin their financial year on this day.
What does the word Deepawali signify then? It, if truth be told, embodies a row of lamps that are lighted to celebrate the triumph of virtue over vice and of good over evil forces. What is most striking, none knows anything of the origin of this festival but has been going on through ages incessantly.
But surely the most popular legend regarding Diwali is associated with Lord Rama. According to one school of thought in the realm of Hinduism, the festival celebrates the historic and victorious return of the Indian emperor to his kingdom after overcoming King Ravana in Lanka. There are other religious legends too. Diwali also commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over Naraka Sura, the noted demon king. Diwali is also celebrated by both Jains and Sikhs. In Jainism, Dioali symbolizes Lord Mahavir’s accomplishment of moksha in 527 BC.
Well, by now Diwali has become a national festival in the domains of both India and Nepal and people in both of these countries leave no stone unturned to make the festival a grand success. Almost every lane and alley even in these two countries get illuminated and perhaps the overall picture can be seen best from the heaven.
In many parts of India, especially the north, people, during this time, are found to be dressed in new clothes and partake in distributing sweets among others. Furthermore, a number of Indian business communities begin their financial year on this day.
