Diwali Festival Celebrations

Diwali Festival Dates and Legends

India, the largest democracy in the world with a population of more than a billion people (and counting) is a land of multifarious diversity. With an area spanning across 3.288 square kilometers and a bulging population it is only obvious that situations of contention arise every now and then. Then what is it that keeps this country and its zealous countrymen united; what is the reason why the world perceives India as the land united by its diversity. The reason perhaps lies in the multitude of festivals celebrated all year long.

The chock-a-block festival calendar of India is as diverse as its land and people. The all year long festivity in this country aptly ends with the "mother of all" festivals, Diwali or Deepavali. This quintessential festival is a joyous occasion celebrating the victory of good over evil. It is also known as the festival of lights and on the five days that this festival is celebrated the entire nation dazzles with spectacular brilliance.

Diwali festival is a national merrymaking event that no one wants to miss. Although traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, every other sect participates with equal fervor. It is the one event that unites the people of this great nation and the time when everyone forgets about their caste, creed, region, sex, religion and color and race differences.

Why would anyone not want to be a part of this festival anyway? After all, who would like to miss bursting the crackers, laying their hands on all the delicacies and goodies, making their homes and offices spick and span, drawing beautiful rangolis on their doorsteps, buying new clothes and flaunting them on the eve of Diwali, exchanging sweets and wishes to near and dear ones, helping your mother bake special food like kheer and karangis and watch the smile on your children’s faces when you gift them new clothes, crackers and sweets. Even those who do not celebrate this festival eagerly await it because it is the time when most companies handout bonuses to employees and shops offer massive discounts on their products. Children and adults also look forward to the holidays.

Why We Celebrate Diwali?

The legends associated with Deepavali celebration differ for different religions. Jains celebrate this day to commemorate the achievement of Moksha by Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. Sikhs celebrate the release of Guru Hargobind (the 6th guru of Sikhism) who was detained by emperor Jehangir in the Fort of Gwalior. Hindus celebrate this day to mark of return of King Rama (one of the most important incarnations of Lord Vishnu) to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana Rama is known by Hindus as the Maryada Purushottama or perfect man and the epitome of self-control and virtue.

Celebrate Diwali 2015 with a difference

Let us all celebrate Diwali 2015 spiritually and in unison. Let us understand the meaning of the victory of good over evil. One must understand that evil means darkness and ignorance whereas good means knowledge and spirituality. Let us, on this day, replace the darkness within all of us and find our inner peace and understand the true meaning of the divine power above us who guides us to the path of contentment and Moksha. Let us forget all the man-made ideologies in this world such as caste, creed, sex, religion and color and live a life as intended by the Supreme Being, a life where no evil exists in our hearts and only love for our fellow beings.

Let us pray this Diwali for peace, prosperity and success, not just for ourselves and our families but for the entire human race and every entity bestowed to us by Mother Nature.