Lord Rama's Return Ayodhya on Diwali

Almost every Hindu knows that the festival of Diwali is celebrated in order to commemorate the triumph of Lord Rama over the Demon Ravana and his return to Ayodhya. In Satya yuga, when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after a full of strife period of fourteen years of exile, the wave of mirth and glee was running through veins of the natives of Ayodhya.

Not only Rama's return to Ayodhya is celebrated but there occurred many events at the same time. After Shri Rama defeated Ravana in the battle and killed him, the kingdom of Lanka was handed over to Bhibhishan. Before embarking on for the journey to Ayodhya, Rama asked his wife to go through the Ordeal of fire. This was to ensure Sita's chastity. Goddess Sita came out of the fire without even a scratch.

Bharata, who was waiting for his elder brother eagerly made every arrangement possible to welcome Lord Rama back to Ayodhya. In Ramayana, this episode has been named as 'Bharata Milap'. It was the same time when the Purushottam Rama was made to sit on the throne of Ayodhya and Bharata himself did his Rajyaabhishek, as their father had passed away who should have done it.

It was a No Moon night when Lord Rama returned and therefore each and every corner was enlightened with clay lamps. There was so much of craze and passion in people that they decorated the entire Ayodhya was covered with beautiful flower petals and leaves. They made Rangoli, prepared delicious delicacies and were dancing to flaunt their happiness.

We can witness the same aura during the season of Diwali even today. Flower decorations might have been replaced with ribbons and clay lamps with String Lightings and Rope Lightings, but the feeling of ecstasy is preserved. People wear new clothes, exchange gifts among loved ones, brighten up their homes with lights etc. After all these tradition and customs had found their origin with this particular Diwali Story.

Diwali As A Harvest Festival

A numerous stories are associated with the origin of the festival of Diwali. The harvest season indicates the sign of auspiciousness. The return of Lord Rama to his hometown Ayodhya reinforces the same fact more than an incidental occurrence. While the entire Hindu community is lost in merriment of the festival, the occasion holds a special importance for the agrarian society in rural regions of India.

For people living in urban belts of India, the festival reaps monetary benefits mainly, whereas, for the agrarian society the festival of Diwali marks the prosperous time of the year when the harvest season begins. It is the time of the year when farmers would be getting results of their hard work on farm land. They cut their crops and indulge in celebrations as their day and night labor is getting payed off. It is the beginning of the season called 'Kharif'.

The harvest festival is observed a day after Diwali. They worship Goddess Lakshmi to keep showering her blessings over them. The rituals of performing Lakshmi Pujan is not very different from that of Diwali Puja. Womenfolk of the household prepare delicious delicacies to treat their loved ones. Special importance is given to yellow dishes. 'Pawa' or 'Poha' from the rice freshly taken from the fields, is a must to be included in the feast on the Harvest Festival.

Thus, not only Diwali holds a great importance in symbolic terms but it brings along the opportunity to gain in material terms too. Since India is basically based on agrarian society, the significance of the festival increases to a greater extent. The beautiful festival of Diwali, thus, exhibit manifolds when it comes to celebrations. There is an atmosphere of festivity all around for not only events that happened thousands of years ago, but for the sake of existing happiness. This reflects immense belief of Indians in the deities.

Goddess Durga and Narakasura Story

Diwali marks the celebrations to commemorate the victory of good over the evil. The festival of lights inspires us to lead the highest form of life. It teaches us to tread on the path of virtuousness leaving behind the evil in us. Many legendary stories and beliefs enrich the festival of Diwali in a symbolic manner. On such story comes from the Treta Yuga, when Lord Krishna ended the era of terror by the demon Narakasura.

The story has numerous fantastic elements like any other legendary story. Narakasura, in spite of a divine origin, had demonic tendencies. Narakasura was the son of Bhoomi Devi. He lived in 'Pragjyotishapura' presently situated in Assam. He had terrorized the people of three world with his devilish deeds.

Goddess Durga and Narakasura Story
He used to loot people of money, was a big hurdle in performing prayer rituals and even abducted womenfolk right from their houses. When he did the same in 'Swarga Loka', Lord Indra went to ask for help to Lord Krishna. At that point of time, Lord Krishna was spending a leisurely time with his wife Satyabhama. Satyabhama was reluctant to let her husband go and therefore, requested to join the war against Narakasura.

Lord Krishna sat on his divine vehicle, Garuda (a gigantic eagle) and reached the fort of the demon Narakasura. His fort was guarded by another five headed demon Mura. It is interesting to note that Satyabhama, well accomplished in archery, was a great help in defeating Narakasura. Lord Krishna heavenly discus cut the head of Mura. With Mura beheaded, Narakasura was left with no option but to come out to face Krishna. Ultimately, Narakasura was beheaded by Lord Krishna.

After his death, Krishna had to take an oil bath in order to get rid of blood splashes from his body. Goddess Bhoomi declared the moment to be celebrated instead to show any remorse. Rather, she pleaded Lord Krishna to take Narakasura's son under his kind guidance.

The firecrackers burst on the occasion of Diwali signify the fierce weapons used by Lord Krishna at the time of killing Narakasura. Other elements in Diwali like lamps, decorations etc are again indications of happening joyous events. It was the time when peace was re-instated, the advent of 'Rama Rajya' in real senses. The festival is celebrated on the first day out of five days of Diwali celebrations by the name of 'Naraka Chaturdasi'. The festival strengthens the fact that it is inevitable to win good over evil.

Origin Of Goddess Lakshmi

History of Mata Lakshmi Birth
Lakshmiji is the Goddess of wealth, prosperity, luck, light, beauty and fertility. Her persona implicates all positiveness. The four arms of Goddess indicates that her bliss can shower in all directions possible. And the lotus on which she is sitting elegantly, signifies that we should never be too much attached with the materialistic world.

There is an amazing story behind the origin of Goddess Lakshmi. This legendary story associated with the festival of Diwali is also called as the story of 'Samudra Manthan'(Churning of Sea). The story weaved with various elements of fantasy goes like this.

Once, Rishi Durvasa cursed God Indra for not paying proper respect to him. It was actually the pride of wealth that Indra didn't pay attention to Sage Durvasa. As a result of his curse, Goddess Lakshmi, who was the reason for Indra's prosperity left him. Indra pleaded him to nullify the curse. Durvasa pitied him and said that only Lord Vishnu would be able to help him.

Being at loss of everything gave a nice opportunity to Demons to attack Indra. His teacher and mentor, Brihaspati helped Indra to approach Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu advised him to reconcile with the Demons and perform the process of churning the sea in order to extract milk from it. Using Mandara (a mountain) as the churning rod and Vasuki ( name of the king of serpents)as the rope, Demons and Gods, with combined efforts, carried out the process. This enabled Goddess Lakshmi to emerge from the sea in a dramatic manner amidst the wild tides of sea water. The milk produced as the effect of churning was the nectar and all Gods had it so as to immortalize their being.

This was the story of Lakshmi- Indra reunion. But many other significant instances are attached it. At the same time, the King of Sea appeared and declared Lakshmi to be his daughter. He blessed the divine couple with good fortune and happiness. Moreover, this incident marks the return of Lord Indra to power and glory, which earlier was snatched away due to the effect of Durvasa curse.

Just as Indra reassembled his broken empire and was rather well of after Lakshmiji bestowed her blessings over him, people pray to her to shower on them the same grace. It is believed that on the auspicious day of Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi visits every house and graces it with her generosity. This is the reason why we see every house beautifully decorated with lights and Rangolis so that they can welcome Goddess Lakshmi to their house.

Diwali Celebrations in India

The Diwali is the festival of love, peace, lightings and victory of good over evil. People celebrates this festival with full fun and joy all over the world, But India is the country of multi-cultures, Religions, languages, traditions and languages. So people of Hindustan make all preparation before this religious festival.

Significance of Diwali in Hinduism

Diwali, also called Deepavali, implies the Festival of Lights. The Sanskrit word "Deepavali" means- Deepa or diyas meaning small earthen lamps and Avali meaning a row. So, during the Festival of Lights, several deep or diya are burned throughout the night in a row to ward off darkness and evil and welcome Laxmi mata, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. Diwali shares significance in Hinduism. Listed below are some of the major significances of Diwali in Hinduism. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals. Diwali's significance in Hinduism is that it marks the beginning of the year in some Hindu calendars. Diwali is the last day of the financial year according to traditional Hindu business.

So, on this day Hindu businessmen perform Chopda Pujan on the new books of accounts. Then, the Hindu New Year is welcomed with joy and mirth.

Another significance in Hinduism is that, Diwali commemorates the killing of Narakasura, an evil demon, by Lord Krishna. This event happened in the Dwapara Yuga when good (Krishna) killed evil and the death of Narakasura is celebrated with colorful lights.

The Skanda Purana states another significant Diwali fact in Hinduism related to Diwali. The Goddess Shakti observed 21 days of austerity from ashtami of shukla paksha (eighth day of the waxing period of moon). This vrata was kept to get half of the body of Lord Shiva. Deepavali marks the completion day of this austerity when Lord Shiva accepted Shakti into the left half of the form and appeared as Ardhanarishvara. Diwali is celebrated by the devotees as kedhara gauri vrata.

Another significant Hindu Diwali custom is the celebration of the return of Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya. It is a Hindu Diwali belief that the people lit oil lamps along the way to light their path in the darkness.

There are many other regional Diwali beliefs in Hinduism in the different parts of India. The commonest ones are already stated above. For more information on the Indian Festival of Lights, Diwali

Significance of Diwali in Sikhism

Diwali is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals in India that is celebrated almost in all parts of the country. Deepavali is a major Indian festival that bears significance in Sikhism, also, like in Hinduism. The Festival of Lights or Diwali is now considered to be more of a national Indian festival that is celebrated by lighting the traditional diyas or small earthen lamps and enjoying firecrackers. The aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by almost all Indians, regardless of faith and religion. Like Hindus, Sikh celebration of Diwali is regarded as a festivity of life and people use the occasion chiefly to strengthen family and social ties.Diwali significant Sikh faith makes it a popular festival in Sikhism also. One of the major facts related to Diwali's significance in Sikhism is that it is officially known as Bandh Chhorh Divas.

On this day, Sikhs celebrate Diwali to mark the laying of the foundation stone for Golden Temple in 1577. The other reasons for Diwali celebration in Sikhism are stated below:

Once, the Mughal emperor, Jahangir, arrested the Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib along with 52 kings and imprisoned them in Gwalior. Later, Jehangir softened and released the Guru on October 24, 1619. The Guru requested the emperor to also release the 52 kings who were imprisoned with him. To the utter joy and surprise of the Sikhs, the Guru returned to Amritsar (allegedly on Diwali) sometime in December 1620. This return of the Guru prompted the Sikh followers to celebrate the day of Diwali with joy and happiness by lighting deewe (earthen oil lamps) and enjoying firecrackers.

On the day of Diwali, the Sikhism Diwali decoration also takes place. The Sikhs illumine their gurdwaras and houses with Deewé and candles. Nowadays, people also use strands of colorful lights to make the buildings more bright and beautiful. In Amritsar, on the early morning of the Diwali day, Sikh pilgrims take a holy dip in the sacred tank while reciting the holy Japji Sahib. After that, they go to the Golden Temple and offer their pious prayers. Circumambulation of the tank is followed after the prayer session.

Significance of Diwali in Jainism

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a major festival not only for Hindus, but also for Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists. Diwali, famous as the Festival of Lights, symbolizes victory of good over evil. Small earthen lamps or diyas are lighted as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. In India, Diwali is celebrated in all everywhere without any restriction, and so, Diwali is considered as a national Indian festival. There are some Diwali significances in Jainism that are stated below

:A major significance of Diwali in Jainism is: Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, attained Nirvana on the day of Diwali at Pavapuri.According to Jain tradition and beliefs, the chief disciple of Lord Mahavira, Ganadhar Gautam Swami, also attained complete knowledge or Kevalgyana on this very auspicious day of Diwali.

Thus, it calls for a great Jainism Diwali celebration to mark the enlightenment of the two great Jain teachers. This is one of the prime Diwali significance in Jainism.

The other significance in Jainism regarding Diwali is that the word "Diwali" is first mentioned in Jain books. The day is stated as the date of the attainment of Nirvana by Lord Mahavira. The oldest usage of the word "Diwali" or "Deepavali" occurs in Harivamsha-Purana written by Acharya Jinasena. The book is composed in Shaka Samvat 705.

There is Jainism significance of the Diwali lamps also. According to the Kalpasutra by Acharya Bhadrabahu, 3rd century BC, the significance of lights are explained: "with light of knowledge gone, we make light of ordinary matter".

The Jainism celebration of Diwali is different in several ways as the Jains are always ascetic in whatever they do. The Jains celebrate Diwali for three days in the month of Kartik. During this three-day period, the Swetambaras or the devoted Jains observe fasting and go on chanting the Uttaradhyayan Sutra. This Sutra comprises the final pravachans of Lord Mahavira and thus meditates on him. The Jain New Year starts with Pratipada following Diwali, and so, the Jain businessmen traditionally started their accounting year from the day of Diwali.