Diwali, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism (which is considered the world’s oldest living religion, dating back to the third millennium B.C.) symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.
Do you know this Festival of Lights, is celebrated not only by millions of Hindus but also, by Sikhs and Jains across the world? Just stay tuned to this article to know 1% more about Indian culture, traditions, and religion on this auspicious day.
Diwali Celebration in India……with all its grandeur, sparkles, eye-glazing lighting, savory sweets, and attractive dresses can be seen all around. Filled with joy, wrapped with mesmerizing thoughts, the sky across the world lights up and wishes u all a “Happy Diwali” in its monumental style.
1 minute…. Is she Kamala Harris??? Is Diwali In America?????
Really wow!!!…. to see US Vice President Kamala Harris host the first Diwali celebration at her official residence- the Naval Observatory- with members of the Indian-American community on Friday. It is visible that Kamala Harris is lighting sparklers with her husband in the video, which is circulating on all media platforms.
Diwali is India’s one of the biggest festival which is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. But you would be surprised to know, India isn’t the sole place to celebrate the festival of lights. In some countries, Diwali is declared a national holiday. Isn’t it amazing?
It is widely observed in Indonesia, Fiji, Mauritius, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Singapore, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Thailand. However, this festival is traveling across all continents from Asia to Europe to Africa, with all Indians residing abroad becoming the messenger of joy and representing India’s rich culture.
Supreme Court Is Back In Scene
For the entire nation, Diwali is like a big party blast filled with celebration, a shining glaze of sparkles in every eye, and the sound of firecrackers in every backyard. But for the people of Delhi, it’s like ” Those were the days….”. So, dare not make the festival of light into a festival of pollution else it may land you behind the bars.
Recently, the Supreme Court said, “Let the people breathe. There are many more ways of celebrating. Spend your money on sweets.” And declined to lift the ban on firecrackers in Delhi.
The Delhi authorities imposed a ban on manufacturing, storing, selling, and bursting firecrackers under Section 9B of the Explosives Act. Manufacturing, storing, and selling firecrackers will attract a prison term of three years and a fine of Rs 5,000. While the bursting of firecrackers will be a punishable offense with six months of jail and a fine of Rs 200 under section 268 of the IPC.
Is That Delhi Alone In The Race?
During our childhood, we were thrilled to watch multi-color blasts both on the ground and in the sky, which support us to stand tall and strong, charged and excited even in the dark Amavas night.
Sad for Delhiites. But wait is it just Delhi who has taken the responsibility to improve India’s air quality index? Off course not…
Other than Delhi, states like Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have also imposed restrictions on firecrackers and many other states’ pollution monitoring system is on high alert.
Good to see people are giving priority to live over suffocation.
Origin Of The Name Diwali
The word Diwali came from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning “row of lights” which symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness.
About The Festival In Nutshell
The dates of this festival are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, beginning just before the arrival of a new moon between the Hindu months of Asvina and Kartika—which categorically falls in the month of October or November of the Gregorian calendar.
In North India, the festival commemorates the royal homecoming of Lord Rama (along with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman) after 14 years of exile to the city of Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, king of the demons.
In South India, the festival marks Lord Krishna’s defeat of the demon Narakasura, who had imprisoned 16,000 women in his palace.
In western India, the festival celebrates King Bali’s banishment to the underworld by Lord Vishnu’s fifth incarnation as Vaman-avatar, as his immense power had become a threat to the gods and the world.
In West Bengal, the Deepawali is devoted to the worship of the goddess Kali, a dark and ferocious form of Goddess Mahadevi.
Be with me for the next article to know the relevance of Diwali in different religions.
(To be continued….)
