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.