Diwali 2013: A Look At The Traditions And Customs Of The Hindu Festival Of Lights
Diwali in 2013 will be celebrated November 3rd through November 7th, but not many people know much about the Hind festival of lights.
As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Hinduism is a surprisingly conservative religion and culture, although India has no problem making the world’s tallest statue.
Diwali is a Hindu or “pan-Indian” festival similar to New Years. Being a New Year day all financial transactions remain closed on this day. The elephant God Ganesh is worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day. Almost all the histories of Diwali point to the triumph of the Good over the evil.
Diwali, a diminutive form of Deepavali, etymologically means a row of lights (‘Deep’- light and ‘Avali’-a row). Hence it is festival of lights. It is celebrated on a grand scale in almost all the regions of India and even people of Indian origin in countries like Kenya, Thailand, Trinidad, Siam, Sri Lanka and Malaya celebrate this festival but in their own ways.
In North India on the day of Diwali the children emerge, scrubbed clean to get into their festive attire, and light up little oil lamps and candles and setting alight crackers and sparklers. A traditional practice is taking a bath before sunrise with oil and “Uptan” (paste) of gram flour and fragrant powders.
In South India the day is celebrated a little differently. People wake up before sunrise prepare “blood” by mixing kumkum (a powder made from saffron or turmeric) in oil and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon King that was smashed by Krishna, apply that mixture on their foreheads. Then they have an oil bath using sandalwood paste.
Diwali is a time to lit up ‘diyas’, adorable tiny clay lamps, in and around the house, and set off fireworks. Some traditions include putting on new things, exchanging gifts and greetings and wishing each other joy. Children seek the blessings of the elderly and the elderly bless the children profusely. Diwali is believed to be a time of transition from darkness unto light. Celebrants believe the light empowers them to commit to good deeds and brings them closer to divinity, a cleansing time.
The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of paying respect to the heavenly for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and fame. According to one belief, the sound of fire-crackers are an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the Gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects, found in plenty after the rains.
The tradition of gambling on Diwali also has a legend behind it. It is believed that on this day, the Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva and she decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuing year.
Diwali is traced back very far and is believed to have originated from ancient harvest festivals.
So what do you think of Diwali 2013? Might be a good time to light a candle or two!
