Diwali or Deepavali is an All India Festival. It is one of the most joyful and beautiful festivals to be celebrated on the Indian subcontinent. The word Deepavali literally translates as a row of lamps in Sanskrit. It is traditional for adherents of Diwali-celebrating faiths to light small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil within an individual. It is generally celebrated in the months of October or November, according to the English calendar. It is one of the most important Indian festivals and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed around the world regardless of faith. On this auspicious day people dress up in their best new clothes and visit their relatives and friends with boxes of dry fruits and sweets and loads of love in their huge generous hearts.
Hinduism – Diwali marks the return of Lord Raama to his kingdom Ayodhya after defeating Ravana (the Demon King) – the ruler of Lanka in the epic story of Ramayana. Lord Rama, wife, Sita and loyal brother Lakshman had been exiled for 14 years beyond the kingdom of Ayodhya. King of Ceylon, Ravana, abducted Mataa Sita while they were in exile. An epic battle took place between Lord Raama and Ravana in order to rescue Mataa Sita.. In this battle Lord Rama was ably helped by Lord Hanuman and his army of monkeys as well as an army of courageous bears. After emerging victorious in the battle, it was time for Lord Raama to return to Ayodhya, as 14 long years of exile spent in the forest were coming to an end. The people of Ayodhya lit lamps in every home to welcome their true King as well as celebrate his victory over Ravana and also the safe return of their Queen Sita. They danced and made merry to express their joy over his return. And as a mark of respect and worship the festivities continue every year till today.
Another occasion that marks Diwali celebrations is the victory of Lord Krishna who battled a demon called Narakasura and emerged victorious. The people of the city were overjoyed and welcomed Krishna back with lamps in their hands. Since Rama and Krishna are two of the most popular gods in the Hindu lore, Diwali is celebrated with much pomp and glory. Both signify the victory of good over evil.
The Mughal Emperor Jahangir had imprisoned Guru Har Gobind Ji and 52 other Hindu Rajas (Kings). Emperor Jahangir had imprisoned the sixth Guru because he was afraid of the Guru’s growing, followings and power. The Emperor was asked to release Guru Hargobind which he agreed to do. However, Guru Hargobind asked that the Hindu Kings be released also. The Emperor agreed, but said only those who could hold onto his cloak tail would be allowed to leave the prison. This was in order to limit the number of prisoners who could leave. However, Guru Hargobind had made a large cloak with 52 tassels and so each King was able to hold onto one tassel and leave prison. Sikhs celebrated the return of Guru Hargobind Ji by lighting the Golden Temple and this tradition continues today.
• Vasu Baras (27 Ashvin or 12 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Baras means 12th day and vasu means cow. On this day cow and calf are worshipped.
• Dhanatrayodashi or Dhan Teras (28 Ashvin or 13 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Dhan means “wealth” and Trayodashi means “13th day”. Thus, as the name implies, this day falls on the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month. It is an auspicious day for shopping of utensils and gold.This day is also regarded as the Jayanti of God Dhanvantri who came out during the churning of the great ocean by the gods and the demons.
• Bali Pratipada and Govardhan Puja (1 Kartika or 1 Shukla Paksha Kartika) : In North India, this day is celebrated as Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut, is celebrated as the day Krishna – an incarnation of god Vishnu – defeated god Indra and by the lifting of Govardhana hill to save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods. For Annakut, a mountain of food is decorated symbolizing Govardhan hill lifted by Krishna. In Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it is celebrated as Bali-Pratipada or Bali Padyami. The day commemorates the victory of Vishnu in his dwarf form Vamana over demon-king Bali, who was pushed to the nether world and the return of Bali to earth from the nether-world. In Maharashtra, it is called as Padava or Nava Diwas (“new day”). Men present gifts to their wives on this day. It is celebrated as the first day of the Vikram Samvat calender, in Gujarat.
Diwali as a Three Day Festival – Jains celebrate Diwali in a different manner. There is a note of asceticism in the way they celebrate Diwali. The Jains celebrate Diwali during the month of Kartik for three days. During this period, among the Shvetambaras, devoted Jains observe fasting and chant the Uttaradhyayan Sutra, which contain the final pravachans of Lord Mahavira, and meditate upon him. Some Jains visit Pavapuri in Bihar where he attained Nirvan. In may temples special laddus are offered particularly on this day.
Vira Nirvana Samvat: The Jain year starts with Pratipada following Diwali. Vira Nirvana Samvat 2534 starts with Diwali 2007. The Jain businesspeople traditionally started their accounting year from Diwali. The relationship between the Vir and Shaka era is given in Titthogali Painnaya and Dhavalaa by Acharya Virasena: Thus the Nirvana occurred 605 years and 5 months before the Saka era. On 21 October 1974 the 2500th Nirvana Mahotsava was celebrated by all the Jain throughout India.
Every year scholars from different countries get together for the International Ramayana Conference (IRC). The conference includes presentations on various themes and workshops based on Ramayana. The IRC was held in India three times, two times in Thailand and one time each in Canada, Nepal, Mauritius, Surinam, Belgium, Indonesia, the Netherlands, China, Trinidad & Tobago and the US. To mark this occasion many Special Postmarks were issued. Indonesia issued a set of 2 stamps (Scott 804-5) depicting Ram, Sita and Golden deer and Ram with Bow in 1971 to honor this International conference.
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