Diwali – Short Essay 1.
Diwali is the biggest festival in India, and it is known as the festival of lights. It is also known as Deepawali. It got its name from deep which means clay lamps and avail which means row.
During this festival, Indians illuminate their courtyards with rows of clay lamps to symbolize the light in their soul which protects them from spiritual darkness.
Diwali is a festival of Hindus, but over the centuries it has now become a national festival.
Interpretation of Diwali by Hindus:
In north India, Diwali is celebrated in memory of King Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the demon king.
In south India, this festival is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna defeated Narakasura.
In the western region of India, this festival is celebrated as the day when Lord Vishnu who is one of the prime Gods of Hindus and also known as the Preserver, sent King Bali who was a demon to rule the world of demons or the nether world.
Celebrations
- Diwali is almost a week-long festival the preparations go on for a much longer time.
- This day is celebrated as the victory and reinstatement of Rama the King in his Kingdom of Ayodhya. Goddess Laxmi bestowing wealth is the presiding deity of the festival.
- Many days before the Diwali, people start cleaning their houses and decorating them. They buy new clothes for the entire family and prepare various traditional dishes.
- On the Diwali day, everyone wakes up and bathes before sunrise among lights and firecrackers. The breakfast has all the sweets and savories prepared days earlier. Children and women draw rangoli outside their houses.
- In the evening everyone dresses up in his or her best clothes and lights many lamps outside his or her houses, inviting goddess Laxmi. They come together to pray to the goddess for prosperity.
- Children look forward to this evening for all the fire crackers that they get to burst. People visit each other and share sweets.
- A day later is the ritual of Bhai dooj which is a special day for brothers and sisters to exchange presents and sweets.
In India, people make plans to visit each other in Diwali many months in advance to be able to celebrate this festival with their loved ones.
Diwali – Short Essay 2
Diwali is the biggest Indian festival, something similar in importance to the Christmas in the Western World. Diwali also called Deepawali, literally means the Festival of Lights [Diwa or Deep = Light]. The basic philosophy behind Diwali is to signify and remind ourselves of the victory of light over darkness, the victory of the positive over the negative, the victory of the good over the evil and the victory of knowledge over ignorance. This festival is celebrated in the months of September or October depending on the Hindu Calendar.
Religious significance
Traditionally, in the Hindu mythology the story of Lord Rama is often connected with the Diwali celebrations. The story goes that Lord Rama, his brother Laxmana and his wife Sita were in exile for many years in a forest. The demon king, Ravana abducted Sita, setting off an enmity between Ravana and Rama. After a long war, Lord Rama defeated Ravana in an epic battle and returned to Ayodhya [his kingdom]. His return was celebrated in Ayodhya with lights lit all over the city. This tradition continues till today as Diwali. So Rama represents the good and Ravana the evil element of life.
Five days of Diwali festival
Day 1: Dhanteras
People clean up their homes and other premises. Lights are lit up at the feet of Goddess Laxmi [goddess of wealth] and Lord Ganesha [god of knowledge].
Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi
This is also called the Choti [small] Diwali and the religious significance of this day is the liberation of the soul from the depths and sufferings of hell [Naraka].
Day 3: Main Diwali or Laxmi Puja
This is the main day of celebration when all houses are lit up with lights across India. This is the day of worshipping [doing Puja for] the Goddess Laxmi [goddess of wealth and prosperity]. All the celebrations and rituals are woven around the celebration of prosperity and joy in life.
Day 4: Padwa is celebrated as the New Year in the Hindu calendar.
Day 5: Bhai duj is a special celebration of the relationship between brothers and sisters.
Deepawali, the festival of lights, is source of great joy to the entire Indian population.
Last updated: February 20, 2019.