Diwali Festival of Lights - Maharashtra Today

1. Diwali : Festival of Lights –Maharashtra Today The Festival of Lights is known as Deepavali (deep - lamp, vali - array). This is the name of the festival in Southern India and is how the festival is referred to in other Asian countries such as Malaysia and Singapore. In Northern India, it is more commonly known as Diwali, but they are essentially the same celebration. In these countries and for Hindus around the world, the celebration revolves around the triumph of good over evil, purity over impurity, light over darkness. It is one of the most important Hindu festivals.

2. Traditions of Diwali Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama, who was the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, from a fourteen-year exile. The Festival of Lights takes place on the darkest night (the first night of the new moon) in the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar. Across India streets and temples are decorated with spectacular light displays and colourful garlands. In their homes, people light small oil lamps called diyas. It is believed that deceased relatives come back to visit their families on Earth during this festival and the lights are a way to guide the spirits home.

3. The Five Days of Diwali Diwali is a five day festival that straddles the new moon. Though widely celebrated across all of India, the days may have different names and have additional meanings in some parts of India, there is enough commonality to briefly describe each of the days:

4. Day One 1 : Dhanteras Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day festivities of Diwali.  On this day, it is customary for people to clean their houses, so they are ready to welcome in Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, whose Puja is performed in the evening. This is an auspicious day and a lucky day for buying expensive goods, though it is also a day to consider charity for those less well off. Small clay lamps, called diyas are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.

5. Day Two 2 : Naraka Chaturdashi According to Hindu tradition, the demon Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna on the second day. Marking the coming end of the year in some regions of India, customs on this day are about cleaning the slate before the start of a new year and getting rid of anything bad. People get up early and wash and put on clean or new clothes. In parts of Southern India, this day is celebrated as the main day of Deepavali.

6. Day Three 3 : Diwali The third day is celebrated on the new moon in Kartik. In most parts of India, this is the most important day of the festival and is the last day of the year in many regions of India. On this day, Lord Rama rescued his wife, Sita, from the demon Ravana and returned home after a long exile. Candles are lit to celebrate his victory, and to light his way home after the battle. In the evening, it may seem like the whole of India is lit by explosions as people set off many fireworks.

7. Day Four 4 : Govardhan Puja / Balipadyami The fourth day of Diwali is also the first day of the new year in the Vikram Samvat calendar and may also be known as Pratipada, Govardhan Puja or Annakut. Annakut means 'mountain of food', which is a giveaway that today is all about feasting. Tradition has it that on this day, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to give shelter from torrential rains to local villagers. Today, Hindus prepare a great deal of food and take it to the temples to celebrate the beginning of the new year and give thanks to Krishna for his benevolence.

8. Day Five 5 : Bhai Bij This regional holiday is celebrated on the second day of the Hindu month of Kartik. Also known as Bhai Dooj, this means it is celebrated shortly after the festival of Diwali, which means it falls in either October or November.

9. What Do People Do Diwali ? Diwali celebrations may last for up to five days. Many people decorate their home and workplaces with tiny electric lights or small clay oil lamps. Bowls of water with candles and flowers floating on the surface are also popular decorations. Many people make a special effort to clean their homes and yards before Diwali. They may also wash themselves with water and fragrant oils, wear new clothes and give gifts of sweets to family members, close friends and business associates. Fireworks are set off in the evening in some areas. Melas (fairs) are held in many towns and villages. People in different regions in India may celebrate Diwali on various dates. This is because traditional lunar calendars can be interpreted in different ways. For example, Deepavali in Tamil Nadu is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aipasi.

10. Public Life on Diwali Government offices, post offices and banks are closed in India on Diwali. Stores and other businesses and organizations may be closed or have reduced opening hours. Transport is usually unaffected as many locals travel for religious celebrations. However those wishing to use public transport on the day should check with the local transport authorities on public transit schedules.

11. The rituals vary according to region. However, special blessings are given to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. It's believed that Goddess Lakshmi will visit every home during the Diwali period, bringing with her prosperity and good fortune. It’s said that she visits the cleanest houses first, therefore people make sure their houses are spotless before lighting lamps to invite her in. This cleaning also symbolizes purification of the mind to remove negativity, clutter and ignorance. Small statues of the goddess are worshiped in people’s homes.

12. What to Expect During the Festival Diwali is a family-orientated festival. The lights makes it a very warm and atmospheric occasion and it's observed with much joy and happiness. However, be prepared for lots of loud noise from the fireworks and firecrackers going off. The air also becomes filled with smoke from the firecrackers, which can add to breathing difficulties. If you're visiting India around the time of Diwali, do be aware that this is a peak travel time for Indians, not only during the festival but for a couple of weeks afterwards (due to Diwali school holidays). Trains will be heavily booked and popular destinations will be crowded.

13. Food and sweets on Diwali Indian sweets, or ‘mithai’, are a little different from candies and desserts you might find in other countries, as they are often considered more “sweet meats”. Many use nuts or vegetables as a base, condensed down with sugar and maybe milk. They are also served both alongside a cup of masala chai tea, as snacks, on their own after meals or even sometimes alongside a meal.

14. Fireworks on Diwali Diwali - the Hindu festival celebrated in India and the world on Amavasya. Which is the fifteenth night of the dark fortnight of the month of Kaartik (October/November). The Festival of Lights is celebrated by Hindu’s all over the world and is a great occasion for using fireworks. The displays generally focus less on noise and more on filling the night sky with brilliant light and beautiful colours. Epic Fireworks have designed the very best in half price DIY firework display packs to celebrate 'The Festival of Light'.

15. Due to COVID-19 and Safety Information on Diwali Due to COVID-19 some celebrations may be disrupted, postponed or cancelled. Be sure to check local news as the dates approach. Safety Information It's a good idea to protect your hearing with ear plugs during Diwali, especially if your ears are sensitive. Some crackers are extremely loud, and sound more like explosions. The noise is very damaging to hearing. If you're in Delhi around the time of Diwali, you may also want to consider wearing a mask as pollution has skyrocketed to unsafe levels in recent years.

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