Diwali originated in ancient India as a combination of harvest festivals, evolving into a national Hindu festival of lights celebrated by lighting lamps to signify the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. The most popular legend is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, while other traditions celebrate Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. The name "Diwali" comes from the Sanskrit word "Deepavali," meaning a "row of lights". It is derived from "deepa" (lamp, light) and "avali" (row).
Diwali's roots lie in ancient India as a harvest festival,
particularly prominent among farmers. By the 7th century CE, it had become a
pan-Indian tradition, as seen in a Sanskrit play that mixed Buddhist and Hindu
elements. The festival is mentioned in early Sanskrit texts like the Padma
Purana and Skanda Purana between the 7th and 10th centuries. The lamps (diyas)
lit during Diwali also symbolize an inner light that protects against spiritual
darkness and represents knowledge.
Link to Deepams and
crackers in Diwali
Diwali firecracker use as a religious ritual to guide
ancestors back to the heavens, a tradition rooted in the belief that the sky
must be illuminated for their return, rather than a mere celebration. Bursting
crackers is a ritualistic act, not just a form of fun or business. The use of
firecrackers is linked to the period before Diwali, known as the Mahalaya
Paksha, when ancestors are believed to visit. The crackers are lit to create a
path and illuminate the sky, helping these spirits find their way back to the
heavens after their visit. Various scriptures, such as the Kartik Mahatma,
which mention this practice, referring to sparklers as 'Ulkadana' and the event
as Akashadipam. The tradition is documented in multiple historical writings,
including those by both Indians and the British, underscoring its long-standing
cultural significance.
It is also believed that Firecrackers are used because it is believed that they drive away negative energies. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.
There is a very similar ancient tradition in China, where in the use of firecrackers in ceremonies for ancestors is a practice rooted in the belief that loud noises and fire can connect the living with the spirit world. The crackling sound and fiery display serve both to scare away evil spirits and to invite the ancestors to join in family gatherings and celebrations.
Refer to end notes on Cracker usage in Ancient India.
Diwali is celebrated for 5 days which include:
1) Dhanteras (Day 1)
2) Day 2: Naraka Chaturdasi (also known as Kali
Chaudas, Narak Chaudas, Roop Chaudas, Choti Diwali, Narak Nivaran Chaturdashi
and Bhoot Chaturdashi):
3)
Day 3: Diwali
4)
Day 4: Govardhan Puja
5)
Day 5: Bhai Dooj
Diwali in North
India:
In North India, Diwali commemorates Prince Rama's return to
his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating King Ravana and completing his 14-year
exile. People lit lamps to guide his path home, celebrating the victory of good
over evil.
Diwali in South
India:
In South India, Diwali celebrates the defeat of the demon
Narakasura by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama killed the demon
Narakasura., symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the liberation of
women who were held captive by the demon. Also called "Naraka
Chaturdashi", this is celebrated the day before Diwali. There are references
to Naraka Chaturdashi in the Vishnu Purana and Harivamsha. The fourth day of
Diwali is called Bali Pratipada, commemorating Vishnu’s Vamana avatar's act of
burying King Bali underground.
In Kerala, it is also celebrated as Balirajya, because on this
day Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort, liberated Bali for a single day, prompting
celebrations by his subjects. Another story goes that Bali ascended the throne
on this day.
Tamil Nadu: Thalai Diwali, in which newly-weds get gifts
In Assam (northern), Sikkim, West Bengal (northern), Nepal
Diwali is celebrated as Tihar or Swarni, where celebrations are almost the same
as on Diwali
According to Padma Purana, the first day of Diwali,
Dhanteras, marks the birth of Goddess Lakshmi from the churning of the primordial
ocean, i.e., samudramanthan. On the third day, the day of Diwali, Lakshmi chose
to marry Vishnu.
The festival is also associated with Lord Vishnu's Vamana
avatar.
Jainism:
In Jainism, Diwali marks the attainment of nirvana by Lord
Mahavira.
Sikhism:
It honors the day that the Sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind
Ji, was freed from imprisonment by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. He was freed on
Diwali from the Gwalior Fort prison, making it a day of celebration for the
Sikhs. Additionally, the city of Amritsar was founded on Diwali in 1677.
For some communities, especially those in business and
trade, Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu financial year, samvat, and the
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in the evening. Many shopkeepers and owners of
small businesses change their account books, or bahi khaata, on this day.
At many homes, playing cards for money on Diwali, or formal
gambling, is an auspicious ritual that is considered to bring wealth and
prosperity to the players. This comes from the legend that once Goddess Parvati
won a game of dice against God Shiva on this day. Elated, she announced that
whoever gambled on the night of Diwali would accumulate wealth throughout the
year.
Buddhism:
Although not a primary festival for the Buddhists, Diwali is
celebrated by the Newar people of Nepal, who follow the Vajrayana school and
worship many deities. Called Tihar, the festivities are similar to those of the
five days of Diwali.The last two days are for Govardhan Puja and Bhai Tika.
There are 10 Sankrit names of Diwali (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17CMDBedFk/)
Deepavali
Dipali
Deepotsava
Deepalika / Deepalikotsava
Deepmalika
Yaksharatri
Kaumudi
Sukhratri/Sukhratrika
Sukhsuptika
Laxmipujan
Why Lakshmi Puja is Performed
on Diwali :
Lakshmi Puja has deep roots in mythology and history. Hindus
believe Goddess Lakshmi to have descended to Earth on this fortunate night
during the Diwali celebration, bestowing blessings of riches. For this reason,
the event has grown to revolve around her adoration. At the end of the harvest
season, Lakshmi appears, symbolising not just money but also joy and plenty.
Her relatives express their gratitude for the year's bounty and ask for her
ongoing favour.
There is a noteworthy link to Lord Vishnu as well. Along
with other holy jewels, Goddess Lakshmi emerged as the most precious object in
the renowned narrative of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the seas. Observing
this festival strengthens the concept that Lakshmi worship results in financial
richness and heavenly blessings, as it represents the everlasting connection
between prosperity and divine favor.
Significance of Kali Pujo
amongst Bengalis (Bangals)
Kali Puja, also known as Shyama Puja or Mahanisha Puja, is a
festival celebrated on the new moon day (Dipannita Amavasya) of the Hindu
calendar month of Ashwayuja (according to the amanta tradition) or Kartika
(according to the purnimanta tradition). The festival is especially popular in
the region of West Bengal, and other places like Mithila, Jharkhand, Odisha,
Assam, and Tripura. Along with the neighbouring country of Bangladesh. It is a
festival celebrated in the honour of Hindu goddess Kali.
Mahanisha puja is done by the Maithili people of Mithila
region in India and Nepal.
Link of Kali Pujo and
Diwali amongst Bengalis:
Kali Puja is the second most popular Hindu festival for
Bengalis after Durga Puja. Kali is a powerful form of Durga. According to the
Hindu legend, the Goddess took this form to defeat the terrifying demon Raktabija,
who could multiply himself with each drop of his blood that fell to the ground.
To stop the demon’s replication, the Goddess consumed every droplet of his
blood, eventually defeating the demon.
In the 16th century, Krishnananda Agamavagisha, a sage
dreamt of the Goddess who instructed him to worship her in this form. It
further became widespread and popular in the 19th century due to Shri
Ramkrishna Paramahangsha, a legendary devotee of the Goddess. The dark Goddess
is worshipped on the new moon, vanquishing evil demons with her fierce form.
The darkest day also coincides with the day Diwali falls on. Sometimes Kali
Puja falls the day before Diwali.
According to some accounts, Kali Puja was introduced in
Bengal in the 18th century by King Krishnachandra of Navadvipa. A scholar named
Kashinath reportedly elaborated on the worship of Goddess Kali in 1768, leading
to the synchronization of Kali Puja with the existing Dipanwita celebrations. A
unique aspect of the Bengali Dipanwita Lakshmi Puja is the worship and
subsequent ritualistic "departure of Alakshmi," Lakshmi's elder
sister who symbolizes misfortune. It is believed that only after Alakshmi is
sent away can the seat for Goddess Lakshmi be prepared.
Goddess Kali is worshipped at night with tantric rites and mantras. She is prescribed offerings of red hibiscus flowers, sweets, rice, and lentils. It is prescribed that a worshipper should meditate throughout the night until dawn. Homes and pandals may also practice rites in the Brahmanical (mainstream Hindu-style, non-Tantric) tradition with ritual dressing of Kali in her form as Adya Shakti Kali and no animals are sacrificed. She is offered food and sweets made of rice, lentils, and fruits. However, in Tantric tradition, animals are ritually sacrificed on Kali Puja day and offered to the goddess.
Crackers in India
Since we are talking
about crakers in Diwali, it important to mention about the references to
earliest gunpowder reference accounts in India, which dates back to as early as
4th century BC.
According to
Indologist Dr. Gustav Oppert, “Gunpowder originated in Ancient India”
In ancient India
Saltpetre or Agnichurna was used as the primary constituent of gunpowder to
make firecrackers (ulkah) on Deepawali. Agnichurna was also mentioned by
Kautilya in Arthashastra as a weapon of war (4th century BCE). “Ancient
India knew of saltpetre, which was described as agnichurna (powder that creates
fire), in old Sanskrit texts. In fact Arthasastra (300 BCE- 3rd CE) speaks of
using saltpetre, resin, and other tree barks for creating poisonous smoke in
order to disorient the enemy in the battlefield. A Chinese text, which can be
dated to the 7th century CE, mentions that the people of north-west India were
aware of the existence of saltpetre and its use in producing purple flames.” ([refer:
“Military Transition in Early Modern Asia”, 1400-1750: Cavalry, Guns,
Government and Ships, by Kaushik Roy])
Arabs also mentioned
that they got gunpowder from India. Read : Chemical warfare in Ancient India by
Vaman R. Kokatnur J. Chem. Educ., 1948, 25 (5). [Image 4]
Attaching few
documents from Thyagaraja temple (7th century CE), Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu,
depicting Deepawali celebrated with fireworks.
