The Quadrangle

Issue date: 11/1/06 Section: Features

Hindus celebrate the Festival of Lights on October 21.

On October 21, many Hindus celebrated Diwali throughout India and across the world. Diwali is a major Hindu festival that is also very significant for Sikhs, Jains, and other religious groups in India. Also known as festival of lights, Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Deepavali is the original Sanskrit name of the festival, which is used less commonly nowadays. Dipawali means the "awareness of inner light." On the day of Diwali many people wear new clothes, decorate their houses with lights and diyas (candles), and light firecrackers. People visit each other and exchange gifts, sweets, and good wishes.
Lights and candles are lit to drive away darkness and ignorance, and they signify the awakening of the light within human beings.
Diwali is celebrated differently in various regions throughout India because of cultural diversity. According to indiaexpress.com, the festival symbolizes "unity in diversity," as every state celebrates it in its own special way. India consists of many devout religious groups such as Hindus, Muslims, Buddhist, Sikhs, Jains, and so on.
Houses and business places are also renovated and decorated. The entrances of these places are decorated with colorful designs of Rangoli to welcome good luck, prosperity, and wealth in the house. Also, the diyas are kept lit all throughout the nights. Prayers are also conducted, and priests and astrologers are consulted for best times. Furthermore, schools and colleges are closed during Diwali in observance of the New Year. Businesses usually start their new financial years, and new books are opened during Diwali to signify a new beginning.
In North India, Diwali is mainly celebrated among Hindus to mark the return of Lord Rama's to his kingdom, Ayodhya, with his wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshman, after fourteen years of exile in a forest. Rama is considered the "ancient idol of the heroic ages, the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king."
During his exile, his wife, Sita, was captured by Ravana, the king of Lanka. In the search for his wife, Rama went to war with Ravana. After the successful defeat of Ravana, Rama returned to his kingdom and people of Ayodhya lit diyas outside their houses to welcome him and to show their love and affection for him. After coming back, he took over the throne and served as an ideal king of Ayodhya.
Diwali in other parts of India is also associated with Ganesh, god of wisdom, and Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. People worship them to bestow their blessings upon themselves and their families. In some parts of India like Bengal, people worship Kali, goddess of strength, on this day. Diwali also signifies the renewal of life, and it also marks the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season.
Diwali also represents the Harvest festival. Since it usually occurs at the end of a cropping season, the Indian farmers celebrate after they reap their harvests profitably. This brings joy and prosperity, and as a result, they offer thanks and praises to gods and goddesses for blessing them with good crops.
Diwali is celebrated among many Indians living in the U.S. Firecrackers are not as popular in America, but people pray at home and exchange gifts with family and friends. Diwali is an eagerly awaited, joyous festival for Indians celebrating.

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