Here is wishing “Shubh Deepavali” to the world!

It is that time of the year again!! Spring in Sydney, the weather is warming up, the flowers are blooming, the day is getting longer and the birds chirping with the enthusiasm of a child in the mother’s lap!! But wait, there is more, we are approaching Diwali!!

The festival of lights – Diwali or Deepavali which signifies victory of light over darkness is perhaps the only “international” festival after Christmas with national public holiday in many continents and countries across the world such as India, Trinidad & Tobago, Myanmar, Nepal, Mauritius, Suriname, Guyana, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Fiji – not to leave out Pakistan where too it is an optional holiday. In addition, this could the only multi-religious festival celebrated with equal fervour by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists making this a truly secular festival.In the recent years, with the significant number of Indians spreading across the world, Diwali celebration can be witnessed by way important landmarks being colourfully illuminated in various parts of the world. In Sydney, the Opera House as well as the NSW Parliament building is traditionally decorated with lighting during Diwali. In the capital Canberra the Parliament hosts a Diwali celebration. Internationally, President George W Bush was one of the first US Presidents to attend Diwalievent after which President Barack Obama made it a habit to not only attend Diwalicelebration but also to greet the world on the occasion of Diwali. President Donald Trump is known to have celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office in 2018 with his Indian origin colleagues. Outside of India, Leicester in United Kingdom is known to be the destination to the biggest Diwali celebration.Diwali has now truly become an international festival.

The literal Sanskrit meaning of Diwalior Deepa-valiis – a row lights and hence our homes as well as various public places are decorated with rows of lights during the entire festive season.Diwali is the Hindu New Year, a time when Goddess Laxmi is honoured since she is believed to visit our household – in other words, our house will be filled with wealth and prosperity.The bright lighting is to welcome the Goddess Laxmi since it is believed that the Goddess does not enter a dark place. On Diwali day, Goddess Laxmi is worshipped at home after first offering prayers to Lord Ganesh. The Goddess Laxmi is welcomed by cleaning and decorating the house, wearing new clothes and fashion accessories and stacking up the kitchen with exotic sweets and savouries. Diwali is that time of the year when family members make it a point to be together, enjoy bursting thefireworks, wearing new clothesand exchanging gifts and sweets.In the presence of Goddess Laxmi, many start new accounting cycle and farmers end the harvesting season. In India, Diwali also signals the onset of winter.My own childhood memories of Diwali and the eager anticipation of the day on which we could burst the fireworks with family and friends is still vivid.

Traditional Diwali is of five days duration beginning with Dhanteras – meaning thirteenth day of Karthik Maas, Chota Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi – meaning liberating souls from hell, Diwali or Laxmi Pooja – the main Diwali day – the day when the lights glow, the family gets together and eat together and the bursting of fire crackers happens in the evening. On day 4 – Govardhan Pooja or Bali Padyami – signifying the defeat of Bali by Lord Vishnu. And the last day of Diwali – Bhai Duj – brother’s day celebrating the sister-brother bond during which time the brother goes to meet with the sister.

Diwaliis known to have originated to commemorate the home coming of Lord Rama and Seeta along with Lakshaman and Hanuman after fourteen years of exile in the forest as hermits. After 7000 years, the tradition of welcoming family members with a celebration involving lights has not changed. Even to this day, when family members return home after a long time, they are welcomed with a light called “aarti”. In addition to this, Diwalirepresents other significant mythological events such as celebration of the marriage of Lord Vishnu to Goddess Laxmi and the triumph of Lord Krishna over Narakasura. 

Among the other religions, for Sikhs, Diwali is the most significant event since it marks the release of Guru Hagobind Sahib from the captivity of mogul emperor Shah Jahan and commencement of the construction of the beautiful and world famous Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple in 1577 at Amritsar in Punjab. Similarly for Jains too, Diwali is significant as the festival of lights marks the attainment of Moksha (salvation) by Mahavira.

India being diverse in culture, there is a vast difference in the way Diwali is celebrated in various parts of the country. In West Bengal Diwali is celebrated as Durga and Kali Puja. Late night worshipping of Goddess Kali is done on Diwali night.

In the southern part of India, Diwali more popularly called Deepavali is not considered as New Year (Ugadi in April is). In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day of the Deepavali celebrations.  On the first day, which is the day of Ashwaija Krishna Chaturdashi, people take oil bath before sun rise. In Andhra, during Diwali, Harikatha or the musical narration of the story of Lord Hari is performed in many areas.

In North India, the celebrations of Diwali start with Dussehra, where Ramlila, a dramatic rendition of the story of the Ramayan is depicted. It continues for several nights ending with the defeat of Ravana (Evil) by Ram (Good). In Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab people also engage in gambling on Diwali night, which is considered to be auspicious.

In Western parts of India, on the night before Diwali, colourful rangolis are created in front of their houses. Footprints are also drawn to welcome Goddess Laxmi.

It is very significant to note that at the border with Pakistan, traditionally, Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchange sweets despite all the animosity at other times!

Diwali shopping is often compared to Christmas shopping. These days, due to popularity of the festival total cost of fireworks in India and elsewhere tops 1billion dollars not to mention the other costs such as gifts, sweets and travel.

Wishing the world a very joyful and Diwali and a very happy and prosperous New Year. May the Goddess Laxmi bless all of us with wealth and prosperity.