Diwali is also known as Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, Deepawali, or the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated in October or November each year. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days.
This festival usually lasted five days and celebrated during the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika (mid-October and mid-November). One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over
ignorance".
There are many stories about Diwali; here are some stories related to what is the significance of
Diwali.
1. Goddess Lakshmi's Incarnation: The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi incarnated on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the Kartik month churning the ocean (Samudra-Manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi.
2. The Return of the Pandavas: According to the great epic Mahabharata, it was Kartik Amavasya when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling). The subjects who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps.
3. Krishna Killed Narakaasur: On the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakaasur and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom lasted for two days, including the Diwali day as a victory festival.
4. The Victory of Rama: According to the epic Ramayana, it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Ram, Ma Sita, and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with earthen lamps and
illuminated it like never before.
5. Vishnu Rescued Lakshmi: On this very day (Diwali day), Lord Vishnu, in his fifth incarnation as Vaman-avtaara, rescued Lakshmi from the prison of King Bali, and this is another reason for worshipping Ma Larkshmi on Diwali.
6. Coronation of Vikramaditya: One of the most significant Hindu King Vikramaditya was coroneted on the Diwali day; hence Diwali became a historical event.
7. Special Day for the Arya Samaj: It was the new moon day of Kartik (Diwali day) when Maharshi Dayananda, one of Hinduism's greatest reformers and the founder of Arya Samaj, attained his nirvana.
8. Special Day for the Jains: Mahavir Tirthankar, considered to be the founder of modern Jainism, also attained his nirvana on Diwali day.
9. Special Day for the Sikhs: The third Sikh Guru Amar Das institutionalized Diwali as a Red-Letter Day when all Sikhs would gather to receive the Gurus blessings. In 1577, the foundation stone of the
Golden Temple at Amritsar was laid on Diwali. In 1619, the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind, who was held by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, was released from the Gwalior fort along with 52 kings.
5 Teachings to learn from Diwali Festival:
1. Remove darkness to bring light in our life:
On this day, people light Diyas and lamps to remove the darkness of the night, but we forget to remove the darkness of our soul. Diwali's real message is to dispel the inner darkness, which has engulfed us for thousands of lifetimes. We need to bring wisdom to dispel inner darkness, and we
need to get consciousness to remove unconsciousness from our life. Let the light of wisdom remove the inner darkness not only from us but also from this planet.
2. Remove negativity to bring positivity in our life:
On this day, people clean their homes to welcome the goddess Lakshmi in their home. But how about our hearts? We forget to cleanse our hearts from negativity, so that is the only place God can reside. It is the best moment to resolve, forgive people, ask for forgiveness, let go of bad habits and negative thoughts. Be more loving and less egoistic is the way to invite God into our life.
3. Have patience:
Every ordeal comes to an end. No matter how long the wait is. Time changes, and nothing lasts forever. So if you are on the right path, then keep on moving without worrying about the length of the journey. One day it will come to an end, and you will be remembered for your patience and good deeds. This is the lesson from Bhagwat Rama not only for his patience but also for living a life of dharma and virtue.
4. Share to bring joy in everyone life:
On Diwali, people buy sweets and share them with their friends, relatives, and neighbours. This adds a lot of joy and festivity to the air. It's a lesson of Generosity for all to share whatever good or extra they have with the less privileged people. It is a divine law; it is in giving that we receive, giving, and
sharing is a way to show our gratitude to life and the universe.
5. Make a new beginning in life:
In Diwali it is common; people buy new clothes and utensils. Many shopkeepers start their new account or balance sheet. Let's resolve on this day to live a loving, peaceful, and spiritual life. It is never too late to start afresh and make a new beginning. After all, the first day of Diwali is to rest of your life. So on this Diwali, have a determined resolution to begin something positive in your life.