Diwali History & Legends
Diwali is one of the prominent Indian festivals, celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. People light 'diyas' or lamps and string lights across the rooftops to illuminate their homes and celebrate the day with crackers. At the entrances of homes, colorful 'rangolis' and flowers are displayed.
People clean their houses thoroughly to welcome Goddess Lakshmi into their households. They wear traditional, new clothes and women adorn themselves with ornaments. In modern times, people enjoy shopping with their families and purchase clothes and sweets to gift to their loved ones.
History
:
The festival of Diwali is believed to have originated from
the 'Puranas' and can be traced back to the ancient times. Many legends are
associated with the celebration of this festival .Among these legends, the
commonly believed fable narrates the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom in
Ayodhya, after defeating the 'asura' king Ravana. By lighting oil lamps,
displaying rangoli designs, and decorating households, the people of Ayodhya
rejoiced and welcomed their king, Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his younger brother
Lakshmana.'Narakasura' was an evil 'asura' who obtained a boon from Lord
Brahma, to conquer the both the 'devas' and the mortals. As a result, he
thrashed all who came in his path. Even Lord Indra, was dispelled from his own
kingdom of 'Devaloka'. Mortified, Indra approached Lord Krishna for help. Lord
Krishna along with his wife Satyabhama, headed to kill Naraka at night.This
victory was celebrated by lighting of lamps and feasting.Goddess Lakshmi
appeared when the ocean was churned by devas and asuras in the quest to
retrieve'Amrita' or the magic potion of immortality. She emerged out of the sea
and stood on a blossomed lotus with a lotus garland around her neck. The
festival of Diwali is celebrated to welcome goddess Lakshmi into the household,
who is considered to be the bestower of wealth and prosperity.
Legends :
It is said that the occasion of Diwali is actually the birth
anniversary of Goddess Lakshmi. As per Legends, the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi
was re-incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month while
the samudra-manthan by the Gods and Demons. This is why Diwali is celebrated to
mark the importance of this day and seek the blessings of Goddess of prosperity
for a lucky and happy future ahead. Some of the mythological books also
relate the occasion of Diwali to Lord Krishna’s victory over Narkasur.According
to 'Mahabharata', Diwali is celebrated in order to mark the return of the
Pandavas from 12 year exile. It is said that on the occasion of ‘Kartik
Amavasya', the Pandavas were welcomed by the people of their hometown by
lighting earthen lamps. Since then Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of
Pandava brothers .According to the 'Ramayana', it was the new moon day of
Kartik when Lord Ram, along with his wife Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya
after killing the ten headed Ravana and conquering his empire ‘Lanka’ as well
as establishing a kingdom of peace and prosperity there. The citizens of
Ayodhya overjoyed by the return of their dear prince lightened the entire city
with the earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before. It was when the
first ‘ Diwali’ was celebrated.
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