Diwali, or Deepawali, is one of the biggest festivals in India. This day marks the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and prosperity over poverty. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm by communities all over India as well as in many other countries. However, there are many regional and religious variations in how the festival of lights is marked across the country. There are many legends behind the festival and many facts that the average youth may not be aware of.
Here are some facts about Diwali that every student should know:
- According to the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls on a fixed date. Its date varies because the Hindu calendar and the Gregorian calendar are not aligned. The festival falls on the darkest day (Purnima) of the month of Kartik (mid-October to mid-November according to the Western calendar).
- Diwali is not a festival of one or two days. In fact, the festivities last for five days, beginning with Dhanteras, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja and Govardhan Puja. The last day is celebrated as Bhai Dooj. Each of these days has its own story and significance.
- While most of the Ganges belt is in India Reminds me of Lord Rama’s triumphant return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, not so for the rest of India. In West Bengal, Diwali coincides with Kali Puja. In the southern parts, it marks the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura (on Naraka Chaturdashi). Meanwhile, in Odisha, people celebrate Diwali by lighting jute sticks and welcoming the souls of their ancestors from heaven.
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- People light a total of 13 diyas on Diwali. The first diya protects the family from unexpected death, the second is placed in front of the puja temple for luck, and the third is lit in front of Goddess Lakshmi. The fourth diya is placed in front of Tulsi, while the fifth is placed outside the main entrance of the house. The next diya is lit with mustard oil and installed under a peepal tree. The seventh is burnt in a temple near the house, while the eighth is kept near the dustbin. One lamp is placed outside the washroom, on the terrace, near the window, on the terrace and at the intersection of the house.
- Apart from Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists also celebrate Diwali. For Jains, the festival signifies the wisdom and liberation of Mahavira. In Buddhism, it commemorates the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE. Sikhs, on the other hand, have been celebrating Diwali since the 18th century to mark the time of Guru Hargobind’s return to Amritsar from his captivity in Gwalior. They call it Bandi Chor Din.
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