What is Diwali / Deepawali : How We Celebrate

What is Diwali / Deepawali : How We Celebrate

Diwali Special
Diwali Special

Diwali / Deepawali is a festival of light.  Diwali / Deepawali is also a festival of diyas.  All roads and buildings are shining with colorful lights. 

There are four dimensions of Diwali:
  • Lighting lamps: To light on Diwali means to spread the light of knowledge all around.
  • Firecracker: When there is an explosion outside, then the inner explosion is     dispersed.  This is the importance of firecrackers.
  • Gift exchange and sharing of sweets: Sweets erase any kind of bitterness and symbolize raising hands of friendship again.
  • Experience of prosperity: On this day, we are grateful for everything we have got in life.

Origin Of Word Diwali /Deepawali


The word Diwali /Deepawali derives from 2 Sanskrit words "Deep" and "Aavali". Deep means lamp while Avali means line. In this way, Deepawali means the line of lamps.

How to celebrate Diwali /Deepawali.


How we celebrate diwali
How we celebrate diwali

Diwali, which is known as the festival of light all over the world, is a festival of victory over good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.  Today, lights in homes are not only for decoration, but this life story also expresses truth.  Light eradicates darkness, and when the light of knowledge eradicates the darkness inside you, the good in you conquers evil.

Why is this holy festival celebrated Diwali (Why Diwali is Celebrated?)


 By the way, there are many stories related to this festival-
  • Diwali is celebrated mainly to ignite the light of knowledge in every heart, life in every  house, to bring a smile on every face.
  • The word Diwali is a short form of Diwali /Deepawali, which literally means the line of  light.  There   are many aspects and levels of life.  It is very important that you shed light on all of them  because if any aspect of your life is dark, your life will never be able to express its fullness.
  • Therefore, in Diwali, rows of lamps are lit to make you aware that every aspect of your life     needs your attention and light of knowledge.
  • Every lamp you light is a symbol of virtue. Every human has virtues.  Some have patience, some have love, power, generosity: others have the ability to organize people.  The manifest value in you is like a lamp. As soon as they are ignited, awakened, it is Diwali.

What is Diwali / Deepawali : 10 points why we celebrate Diwali


Important Point for Celebrating Deepawali : Rama back to Ayodhya
Important Point for Celebrating Deepawali : Rama back to Ayodhya

Diwali /Deepawali is considered to be the biggest and important festival of Hinduism. Different reasons for celebrating Diwali /Deepawali  have been told in the scriptures and proverbs. Normally, we consider Rama's 14-year exile to return to Ayodhya and Lakshmi's revelation through ocean churning as the reason for celebrating Diwali /Deepawali. But apart from these scriptures, this festival of Deepawali has also witnessed other important events of the ages.

 Know 10 major historical events related to Diwali /Deepawali 


  •  Lakshmi Avataran - On the new moon day of Kartik month, Maa Lakshmi appeared on the earth through Samudra Manthan. This is the most important reason to celebrate the festival of Diwali /Deepawali. This festival is celebrated as the reception of Goddess Lakshmi and every house is decorated so that the arrival of the mother.
  • Saving Lord Lakshmi by Lord Vishnu - This incident is mentioned in our scriptures. It is said that on this day Lord Vishnu took the Vamana avatar and freed Goddess Lakshmi from King Bali.
  • Victory of Lord Rama - According to Ramayana, on this day when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile with Sitaji and brother Laxman. At his reception, the entire Ayodhya was lighted by lighting a lamp.
  • Narakasura Slaughter - 16000 women were freed by Lord Krishna killing Narakasura on this day. In this joy, the festival of Diwali /Deepawali was celebrated for two days and it was known as Vijay Parv.
  • Return of the Pandavas - According to the Mahabharata, when the Pandavas lost in the game of Chaucer to be held between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, they were given an unknown abode of 12 years. The five Pandavas returned to this day after ending their 12-year exile. Diwali /Deepawali was celebrated with joy by lighting a lamp in the joy of his return.
  • Vikramaditya's Coronation - The context of King Vikramaditya's coronation is also associated with this day. It is said that Raja Vikramaditya was crowned on this day, doubling the importance and happiness of Diwali.
  • Arya Samaj - Arya Samaj was also established on this day by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. For this reason too, the festival of Diwali /Deepawali holds special significance.
  • Jainism - The day of Diwali /Deepawali is also especially important for the people of Jainism. Jainism celebrates this festival as the salvation of Lord Mahavira. It is believed that Lord Mahavira attained salvation on the new moon day of Kartik month.


Important Point for Celebrating Deepawali by Sikh
Important Point for Celebrating Deepawali by Sikh
  • SikhismDiwali /Deepawali is a very important festival for Sikhism. This day was celebrated by Amardas ji, the third Guru of Sikhism, as Lal Patra Day in which all the devotees came to seek blessings from the Guru. Apart from this, in 1577, the foundation stone of Harimandir Sahib of Amritsar was also done on the day of Diwali /Deepawali.
  • The liberation of Sikh Guru Hargobind jiWith 52 kings in the fort of Gwalior in 1619 has also been a major historical event to this day. Therefore, this festival is also celebrated as Sikh community prisoner leave day. These kings and Hargobind Singh ji were interned by the Mughal emperor Jahangir.

Mughal celebrate Diwali/ Deepawali

Celebrating Deepawali by Mughal
Celebrating Deepawali by Mughal

The beginning of Mughal Diwali started from the era of Akbar - According to Akbar Akbar, Abul Fazal, Deepawali was the most loved festival of Emperor Akbar. A huge lamp was lit on the fort on this day. Two minds were used in it, then it was used to light the lamp and other lamps of the palace. "Akashdeep" used to hang four yards in front of the Daulat Khana.
  • Akbar used to give prizes to the Gwalas - On the day of Diwali, Emperor Akbar used to hold a special court, giving greetings and rewards to the Hindu courtiers. The emperor was also involved in "Govardhan Puja" on the second day of Deepawali. On this day, he used to wear Hindu costumes and also honored the guilds of beautifully decorated cows.
  • Jahangir was fond of fireworks of Diwali - Akbar's heir Jahangir (1605-1627) also celebrated Diwali with great enthusiasm. He used to gamble a lot on this day as auspicious. Rajmahal and Ranivas were decorated with colorful lights. Emperor Jahangir used to enjoy fireworks at night with his begum.
  • Shah Jaha used to give the reward of Diwali to the servants - Shah Jaha (1627–1657) and his successor Darashikoh (1657–1658) also celebrated the festival of Deepawali with their pride. On this occasion, he used to give rewards and gifts to his servants. The royal ride used to go to see the light of night.
  • Aurangzeb also celebrated Diwali for a few years - Aurangzeb (1658-1707), the most religious fanatic, also attended Diwali for a few years after the beginning of his school, but later he broke this tradition.
  • Shah Alam celebrated Diwali in his book Bayan - Shah Alam II (1759-1806) also celebrated Diwali with great pomp. His self-written book "Nadiraate Shahi" shows that he had tied the Deepavali festival with many ragas. On this occasion, the whole palace was cleaned and dyed. Thousands of lamps were lighted in the palace on the day of Diwali. The royal family was the only courtier to wear new clothes. All the differences between the rich and the poor were forgotten.
  • Diwali of the last Mughal emperor - Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last emperor of the Mughal Sultanate, also celebrated the festival of Diwali with the public and participated in the events on Diwali. This was the last Diwali of the Mughals, after which the Mughal Sultanate fell and the British Raj arrived.

Different States of India, different forms of Diwali / Deepawali

Celebrating Deepawali by India
Celebrating Deepawali by India

  • Diwali of Rajasthan - There is a tradition of worshiping weapons on the land of Rajasthan called Veer Bhoomi. Arms are worshiped in the house and weapons skills are also performed in most places. In some parts of Rajasthan, the cat is considered the form of Lakshmi. After the puja, the first offerings of sweets are feed to the cat. On this day, even if the cat does harm, it does not even kill him.
  • Diwali of Himachal - Deepawali in Himachal celebrates Diwali on one side which is called Budhi Deepawali. It is said that when Lord Sri Ram returned to Vijayoprant Ayodhya, the whole country got the news that Kartik Amavasya got Diwali / Deepawali money in the whole country, but the Himachali got the news after one month, then after one month there was Diwali / Deepawali hence most of the parts here. The trend is to celebrate old Diwali.
  • Diwali of Maharashtra - Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshiped on Diwali .  Diwali in Maharashtra, Yama Puja is also famous here. Yamraj is worshiped and a lamp is given to him. In some places, Bali, the king of the demons, is also worshiped.
  • Diwali of West Bengal - Durga Puja is the main festival of West Bengal. Here, Mahakali is worshiped in most of the houses on Diwali / Deepawali. On this day, the youth of Bengal lit a lamp at night and flows in the river. It is believed that the woman whose lamp will keep on burning while its oil is not exhausted, that woman will get happiness, peace and prosperity that year.
  • Diwali of Madhya Pradesh - Before Diwali Puja in Madhya Pradesh, women decorate the house and decorate themselves. King Bali is also worshiped here.
  • Diwali of Gujarat - Shakti Puja with Lakshmi Puja takes place on Diwali in Gujarat. Buying and selling salt in Gujarat is considered auspicious on this day. The women here decorate the house with raw pot, flour and rice.


Celebrating Deepawali by India
Celebrating Deepawali by India

  • Diwali in Uttar Pradesh - Diwali / Deepawali is celebrated in Vedic customs in Uttar Pradesh. On this day, temples are specially decorated. Here arms worship is done. Apart from Lakshmi Ganesh, Hanuman, Rama Shri Krishna are also worshiped. In Uttaranchal, women decorate Rangoli in their homes.
  • Diwali of Karnataka - People in Karnataka also perform earth worship along with Lakshmipuja. They worship the earth in the joy of new crop coming. On this day, people bathe with boiled feces on the body. The story of Narakasura slaughter is told and heard during the procession.
  • Goa Diwali - The festival of Diwali / Deepawali in Goa starts from hell fours. Here the houses are decorated with candles, mango leaves and candles. People of this place celebrate this festival with poha and different sweets.

Different Countries from World Celebrate Diwali / Deepawali


Celebrating Deepawali by World
Celebrating Deepawali by World

This festival is celebrated in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Pakistan-Australia. In Nepal it is celebrated with special pomp. On this day the new year begins in the Nepali etc.Today is the festival of light.  Diwali means festival of light.  Each of you is a light in itself. The festival is celebrated all over India, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Mauritius, Suriname, Trinidad and South Africa.  People wish each other happy Diwali and distribute sweets.  During Diwali we forget all the miseries of the past.

  • The festival of Diwali in Nepal - lasts for five days. The crows are worshiped on the first day. He is offered Prasad. On the second day, the dog is offered for his honesty. On the third day, offerings are made to the cow. Prasad is offered to the bull on the fourth day.
  • On Diwali in Malaysia, people of other religions are feasted at home.
  • In Sri Lanka - Diwali is celebrated by people of Tamil sect. On this day, dances, feasts and fireworks are performed.
  • Britain - Indians live in large quantities. Prince Charles has been involved in the celebration of Diwali many times. The festival of Deepawali is mainly celebrated at the Swami Narayan Temple in Britain.
  • Mauritius- Large number of Hindus live there. On Diwali there is a government holiday there.
  • In Myanmar:-A festival called Taimich is celebrated on the day of Deepawali in Myanmar. On this day, Buddhists go to Maths and worship Mahatma Buddha. There people celebrate it as the incarnation day of Buddha.          
In the United States celebration of Diwali
In the United States celebration of Diwali

  • In the United States - the festival of Deepawali is celebrated at the White House. The festival of Diwali was first celebrated at the White House in 2003. It was announced by former President George Bush. In 2018, President Trump also attended the celebration of Diwali.
  • In Australia:- Many people of Indian origin live in Australia, as well as people of Australia gather all together to celebrate Diwali at a place called Federation square. Last year, more than 50 thousand people had registered the presence of Diwali here.
  • In Fiji :- Deepawali is kept as a public holiday and people of different religions celebrate Diwali here with Hindus. It is celebrated every year after the independence of Fiji in 1970.

Diwali and air pollution 

Diwali and air pollution
Diwali and air pollution

  • There are many types of losses due to fireworks and fireworks material in Deepawali. Flammable substance is gunpowder inside these firecrackers. Firecrackers cause many types of accidents.
  • Magnesium, lead, zinc. Contains toxic substances such as cadium. Many times, flammable material explodes while making crackers in the factory. Every year many workers lose their lives. There are many disadvantages to running these firecrackers.
  • Many children and older also get injured in firecrackers. There is also a fire in the neighborhood. These crackers release a lot of smoke and gases which cause air pollution. Therefore, the government is now prohibiting fireworks and fireworks materials.

How to Celebrate Diwali/ Deepawali without Pollution 

 
Celebrate Deepawali without pollution
Celebrate Deepawali without pollution

  • Do not play crackers if possible. Run Eco friendly crackers if necessary. Do not fire loud sounding crackers at all as it is very likely to cause an accident. Also stay away from high caliber crackers.
  • This can cause major accidents. Firecrackers should always be purchased from authorized licensed shops. Stay away from cheap and Chinese firecrackers as there is a high chance of accident while driving them.
  • Rockets should be used in open spaces. Firecrackers should not be run near. They should be run from a distance. Asthma and asthma patients should stay away from fire Crackers.

Conclusion

  • We all should celebrate the festival of Diwali/Deepawali with pomp, but there is a lot of air pollution due to fireworks on this day. Fireworks are very dangerous. Every year many people get injured while fireworks.
  • During fireworks, a lot of smoke and gas goes into the atmosphere causing air pollution. That is why many people recommend not to burn crackers on Diwali/Deepawali. Lots of money is spent in firecrackers. If we give this money to a poor person, then the money will be worthwhile.
  • Hope you have enjoyed this essay on Diwali. We all should celebrate Diwali every year to save, maintain cleanness and enjoy the natural beauty of the environment. 







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