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The Festival of Lights under a Different Light

Diwali. The festival of lights. Whether intended or not, we all have developed a connection to this festival, something we look forward to. It’s a time where everything is a little brighter, whether it’s the sweets flooding in, family coming together, that childhood album you forgot about that shows up during Diwali cleaning or at least the long-awaited vacation to finally execute all your plans. It’s celebrated across religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Newar Buddhism, though associated with different stories and practices. All in all, however, this festival signifies the victory of the light over darkness; Good over evil; Knowledge over  ignorance.

 

  

(Credits: htoindia.com)

 

However, many interconnections, stories and even scientific and historical significances are attached to this festival that we must not overlook. For example, different people interpret Diwali as the victory of good over evil for several reasons. The popular legend talks about the return of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita after the defeat of Ravana. However, in Nepal and some parts of South India Diwali marks the defeat of King Narakasura by Lord Krishna. It is said that Naraksura had a realization of his sins at the time of his death, and hence told Lord Krishna that his death, is indeed, a death of all his wrongs and it must be celebrated. It is fascinating how the series of these events line up in the same few days indicating the significance of this festive season across legends and regions. 

 

 

(Credits: isha.sadhguru.org)

 

Diwali has significance based on the agrarian cycle as well. Several texts like Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana suggest that Diwali is a fusion of the various harvest festivals of India. This draws a connection with the fact that Govardhan Puja is celebrated on the fourth day of Diwali where according to the legend, Lord Krishna asks the villagers to worship the Mountain Govardhan and not Lord Indra since it’s the mountain that provides the resources for sustenance. When in rage, Lord Indra causes a downpour but, Lord Krishna lifts the mountain on a finger to provide shelter to the farmers. Diwali also coincides with the Lunar Calendar that the Hindu religion follows. Diwali falls on the darkest night of the year according to the calendar and marks the beginning of the new year for Hindus. This relationship between natural and scientific cycles greatly increases the importance of this festival.

 

  

(Credits: artsandculture.google.com)

 

Another major event celebrated during Diwali is the birth of Goddess Lakshmi. As we welcome Goddess Lakshmi into our house we perform Lakshmi Pujan, houses are cleaned and decorated while sweets are offered to the Goddess. It is also observed that Kali Puja, usually celebrated on a new moon day also tends to fall either on or around Diwali. It is widely celebrated in eastern India. There is perhaps a connection between the Samudra Manthan where the Devas and Asuras churned the ocean of Milk for “Amrit” (the nectar of immortality). During this, both Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Kali emerged. Their pujas aligning could therefore be related.

 

 

(Credits: artsandculture.google.com)

 

Numerous such connections emerge as one takes the time to fully immerse themselves in what our ancient texts and rich mythology try to tell us. Not only this, one must consider the practical applications of the values these legends and festivals hold even in today's times. This Festival of Light, acknowledge the light that is around you. Dive into gratitude for all that you have and take the opportunity of this festival to indulge in the Joy of Giving. Embrace that humans are morally gray and not black and white, and accept that you are after all human. Realize your wrongs and think over them. This season, truly indulge in all the dimensions of Diwali and let this festival of lights not only illuminate your surroundings, but also illuminate your thoughts.

-Pranjali Shah 
Volunteer, Editorial Committee 2024-25 

 

 

 

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