There are many holidays that happen around the world. However, today we are going to have a look at the Diwali festival. We are sure that such a Diwali essay will provide you with a willing to attend this festival.
The Diwali or Deepavali is a Hindu festival that signifies the victory of darkness over evil. It is one of the major festivals that is celebrated in India. The preparations for the holiday extend for over five days, but the actual festival is celebrating during the moonlight of the Hindu Lunisolar month, as on accordance with the Bikram Sambat Calendar. It is observed by the Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
The festival is used as a metaphor to mark new beginnings in life and also an opportunity for self-improvement. The festival is a commemoration of the returning of Legend Lord Rama and his wife Sita to their Kingdom in India from the exile in the 15TH century.
The main celebrations are held throughout India. It is also celebrated in different locations of the world. In some countries, it is regarded as an official holiday. Such countries include Fiji, India, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore and Tobago. However, the largest celebrations are always held in cities like Leicester and London. This is as a result of more understanding of the Indian culture that has been experienced over the years. In some other countries, it is actually becoming as a general local culture due to the large population of Indians who reside in such countries.
The celebrations for the Diwali festival occur every year during the month of October or November. The date also differs every year according to the Hindu lunar Calendar.
The celebrations go on for five days. The first day is called Dhanteras. Houses and business premises are cleaned, other innovations are also done to the house if it is necessary and then they are decorated.
Women and children decorate the entrances with colorful designs inside and on the walkways.
Boys and men carry out the renovation process. They work on the lighting for the holiday.
It is also a major shopping day. People buy articles that are made of silver or gold to signify prosperity.
The second day is called Naraka Chaturdasi. This is the day when the demon was killed by Krishna. Special bathing rituals are carried out in some regions.
Women also decorate their hands with henna designs. Indian families prepare the homemade sweets for their families.
The third day is called Lakshmi Puja. People wear new clothes as the evening is approaching. They open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi. She is considered as a symbol of bringing prosperity to the household.
Small earthenware lamps filled with oil are lighted and placed on the rows in the houses.
Most people make new relationships and friendships during this period.
All the citizens go out and enjoy the lighting of the fire works as a symbol of chasing away the evil spirits.
The fourth day is called Padwa Balipratipada. Love and mutual affection between the husband and his wife is celebrated in this day also. Commonly, husbands give their spouses gifts.
The fifth day is called Bhai Dooi. It is the last day of the celebrations and it mainly emphasizes on good relationship between siblings. Brothers and sisters meet and share meals together during this day.
The Diwali festival is a major celebration and it actually promotes interaction between people from different areas.
References:
- Deborah Heiligman (2008), Celebrate Diwali, ISBN 978-0-7922-5923-7, National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.
- Lochtefeld, James G. “Diwali” in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A–M, pp. 200–201. Rosen Publishing. ISBN 9780823931798.
- Solski, Ruth (2008). Big Book of Canadian Celebrations. S&S Learning Materials. ISBN 978-1-55035-849-0
- Pramodkumar (March 2008). Meri Khoj Ek Bharat Ki. ISBN 978-1-4357-1240-9.
- Robin Lim (2010). Indonesia. Lerner Publications. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-7613-5923-4.
- R.N. Nandi (2009), in A Social History of Early India (Editor: B. Chattopadhyaya), Volume 2, Part 5, Pearson Education, ISBN 978-8131719589,
- Pechilis, Karen (2007). “Guests at God’s Wedding: Celebrating Kartik among the Women of Benares”. The Journal of Asian Studies