THE THREE PURPOSES OF DEEPAVALI

The first thing is we pray to atone for our sins or mistakes. We accept our weaknesses, and determine not to repeat our mistakes. We repent for all wrongs that have been committed till now. So the first objective behind the celebration of Deepavali is to atone for our sins so that they are forgiven, with the determination that they will not be repeated. This is the first purpose of Deepavali.

Secondly, we pray for our forefathers, our elders who are no more and who are responsible for our stature. We are what we are today because of our parents. During this festival of Deepavali we express our thanks and gratitude to our forefathers, with prayers to God that their souls may be blessed and they rest in peace forever and ever more.

And the third purpose of Deepavali is this: “Oh God, keep me free from all diseases. Keep me away from poverty, all kinds of afflictions, sufferings, and problems. Oh God, grant me wealth – the wealth of knowledge, the wealth of expertise, the wealth of good family, and the wealth of wisdom.” This is the third objective and the third purpose behind the celebration of Deepavali. 

Diwali is the Hindu New Year festival

Diwali is the Hindu New Year festival and the biggest occasion in the Hindu calendar. It is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains. It is called the festival of lights because it celebrates the victory of good (light) over evil (darkness). The name of the festival comes from the Sanskrit word dipavali, which means row of lights. Lights play an important role in Diwali. Throughout the five-day celebration, Hindus place special, decorative lights in their temples and homes. There are also lots of colourful fireworks displays. In India people make small lamps and try to float them across the Ganges river. It brings good luck if the lamp manages to get all the way across. Children love it because of the lights and because they get sweets from adults. There are two legends of Diwali in which Hindu gods overcome evil. In one, Lord Krishna killed the evil demon king of Pragjyotishpur to set free 16,000 daughters of the gods. The second legend has the Hindu king Rama destroying Ravana, the wicked ten-armed, tenheaded king of Sri Lanka. Ravana kidnapped Rama’s wife for 14 years. Many Hindus love these mythical stories. The Times of India newspaper, however, summed up the modern meaning of Diwali: “Regardless of the mythological explanation…what the festival of lights really stands for today is a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill, and a…celebration of the simple - and some not so simple - joys of life.”

Does ritual bathing play a part?

Diwali marks the conquest of negative forces. To wipe away all traces of life’s struggle, the negative and draining energies of strife, Hindus invoke the waters of India’s holiest rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Narmada, Indus and Kaveri—into water collected in urns in preparation for an ablution after an oil massage. The special bath cleanses the physical and auric energies of the individual. Fragrant powders of dried lentils, roots, aromatic seeds, leaves and fl owers are used to remove the oil. Families then don fi ne new clothes, beautiful patterns are drawn on the ground, and lamps are lit until entire streets glow. Even the White House in Washington, D.C., is illumined by the gentle glow of oil lamps during its annual Diwali observances.

What does lamp-lighting signify?

 In Hindu culture, light is a powerful metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. It is a reminder of the preciousness of education, self-inquiry and improvement, which bring harmony to the individual, the community and between communities. By honoring light, we affi rm the fact that from knowing arises respect for and acceptance of others. Lighting lamps reminds Hindus to keep on the right path, to dispel darkness from their hearts and minds, and to embrace knowledge and goodness. What legends are associated with Diwali? In the sacred text Ramayana, Diwali marks the return of Rama to his kingdom after defeating Ravana, the demon king who ruled Sri Lanka and kidnapped Rama’s pious wife, Sita. It also celebrates Krishna’s victory over Narakasura, the demon of ignorance. Rama and Krishna are earthly incarnations, or avatars, of Vishnu. 

What occurs on Diwali?

Diwali (or Deepavali, “row of lights”) is celebrated by Hindus worldwide to commemorate the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, hope over despair. Oil-wick lamps are lit in every household, along with colorful strings of electric lights, causing the home, village and community to sparkle with dancing fl ames. The festival falls on the day before the new moon in the month of Ashwin (October/November). Communities spare nothing in celebration. Lavish spreads of sweets and treats refl ect unfettered partying. Diwali lehyam—a potent concoction made with ginger, pepper, ghee and more—is provided to help gourmands digest the sumptuous feast. Families reach out to each other with gifts of sweets, dried fruit and crunchy, salty treats. Everyone wears colorful new clothing and many even new jewelry. Girls and women decorate their hands with henna designs.