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Deepavali - G.N. Raina G.N. Raina retired from Indian Information Service (I.I.S.) in 1983 after completing 35 years as a distinguished editor, correspondent, commentator and administrator; Editor, AICC Journal, Varnika, (Jan.'84-Dec.'90); Editor-in-Chief, Koshur Samachar (March'91-Oct.-'95; Presently Editor, Sanatana Sandesh, an official publication of South Florida Hindu Temple, Miami.

India is rich in festivals with variations of accent but with a common purpose. By far the most widely celebrated of all the Indian festivals is Diwali, the festival of lights. The Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate it in much the same manner, though for different reasons, and confirming to varying traditions and beliefs.

Over the years, Deepavali (literally the row of lights) has acquired several meanings. Originally, this festival was a sort of thanksgiving to the gods for the pre-winter harvest and prayers for the winter crops. Gradually, the pagan festival began to acquire religious significance and many a myth and legend got associated with it. This is the day when Sri Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile and his victory over the demon king, Ravana, signaled the end of terror the sages in those days were subjected to. Sri Krishna is also believed to have killed demon Narkasura on this day.

Somewhere along the way, the tradition of the worship of the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi, got inextricably entwined. Lakshmi puja begins at dusk and as nightfall approaches, it is time to light the little oil lamps, called diyas, in every house and establishment.

Symbols, we all know, have tremendous significance in the Hindu tradition. A burning diya is a symbol of knowledge that removes the darkness of ignorance. The myriads of burning clay lamps silently send forth the message that the work of leading mankind from darkness to light rests not on just one individual (signified by a diya) but on all the people as a whole (diyas).

Legend has it that the oil lamps are lit to transform the moon-less night into a day so that the goddess of wealth does not have to take too much trouble finding her way into houses to leave behind some of her bounties. The doors are left open, lights are put on and no dark corners are allowed. Even sweets are placed in doors, should the goddess during her sojourn through the night happen to feel hungry while dispensing prosperity.

If Santa Claus is the most eagerly awaited visitor on Christmas night with the bag of goodies for Christian children, the Hindu, Sikh and Jain children and adults alike eagerly await Lakshmi on Diwali night.

Deepavali celebrations begin a good fortnight before the actual festival. For women, this is a busy time, cleaning and decorating the houses and preparing sweets. Chhoti (small) Diwali is celebrated the day before the regular one, a sort of a dress rehearsal.

Being a time for revelry, every household member is generally out-doors. Friends drop in and it is customary to exchange gifts. On the big day itself, the mornings are spent calling on people, greeting them and giving them sweets, nuts and fruits.

Firecrackers light up the sky intermittently for a few days before and after Diwali. While fire-works are generally the preserve of children, gambling is for the adults, particularly in the northern cities of India.

All said and done, Diwali is more than just being a festival; it is a time for joy and happiness, a time for fun. It is a time to reaffirm our faith in our fellow beings, a time to give and a time to receive.

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