India. A land of diversity, and different cultures, and unique lifestyles. A place where everyone is different, and knows the world differently.
And yet, we are not divided.
Diverse, but unified. Contrasting cultures, in harmony. Unique, but toget...
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Namaskar! Vanakkam! Sat Sri Akal!
It's me Diwali here, the festival of lights. The lights that churn the darkness to enlighten the seeking spirits. The lights that keep the faith and hope radiant in this onerous and malicious Kaliyuga. Apart from being celebrated as a festival, I'm mostly seen as the resurrection of the soul to the ultimatum. Wanna know about me?
There you go...
My title is derived from the Sanskrit words 'Deep' which indicates 'light' and 'Avali' that means 'A row'.
According to every person's belief and perspective, my story and significance are variable. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi came out of the milky ocean today when it was churned to obtain Amrutha by the devas and asuras using snake Vasuki as the rope, and mountain Manthara as the churner.
I'm seen as the day when Lord Rama returned with Sita Devi and Lakshman to Ayodhya after killing Ravana. Even the Pandavas ended their Vanavasam and Agnathavasam on my day.
Bengalis and Odias worship Kali Mata, the destroyer of evil forces during my arrival.Jains revere me as the moksha day of their Thirthanka, Saint Mahavira. Sikhs celebrate me, as the base of the Golden Temple was laid today. The release of their leader Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji adds to my other significance.
Nepali's and South Indians acknowledge me as the mark of Lord Krishna's victory against the demon Narakasura, on their fourteenth day of the fight. Here, I'm celebrated in the name of NARAKCHATURDASHI.
As I said, my significance is indeed a spectrum. Today I stand as a forever young child who shall represent everything collectively.
Bored of history? Here are my facts:
1) I belong to the festivals that are celebrated based on the lunar calendar. People celebrate me on the fifteenth day of Karthika. I announce the arrival of a new year ahead.
2) More than 800 million people celebrate me in various ways. I'm the biggest, famous and brightest festival of India and am celebrated for 5 days.
3) As I rise in the winter months, the season that brings many diseases and weaknesses, lamps were lit to keep the insects and bacteria in check and refill the lost warmth in the atmosphere.
4) It is also acknowledged that the light from the numerous lit Diyas creates a magnetic field that superposes over the magnetic field around the human's superficial electromagnetic flux. This field can activate the blood cells and boost your immunity to make you feel rejuvenated and reborn. So to attain a positive vibration, keep yourself and the surroundings pure.
5) In the city of Leicester, UK, I'm celebrated in a joyous and grandeur manner. On my day, it's a national holiday in Trinidad & Tobago, Myanmar, Nepal, Mauritius, Guyana, Singapore, Suriname, Malaysia, Fiji along with India.
6) People start their new business and worship goddess Lakshmi and Gubera for their blessings for this New Year.
Am I not interesting?
After exploring me so much, I could read the urge of celebration in you. But do you know how I was celebrated?
In the Vedic eras, I was celebrated by igniting the oil or ghee lamps and by performing Lakshmi-Gubera Pooja and Yajnas. The joyous and ritualistic sounds of people filled the air. There were light, music, dance, and feast-meals altogether. Those juicy tastes of jalebis, laddu and jamuns can't quench this vagabond sweet-toothed baby. Yum!!!
Later the era witnessed modernization, so are my ways of celebration. Even now many of these rituals are held. Along with them, there are some dazzling and bashing crackers. Even Though they bring joy to every eye and heart, it still pollutes the space where I was born to eradicate ignorance.
I want my people to cherish me but not harm any through me. Even though I'm bringing happiness, the news about fire accidents and firework blasts is still worrisome and mournful.
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So, I plead to you all to have a sweet and safe Diwali this year. Wait... Don't snore! Ops!! I made you sleep with my story. *TapatapaDamaalDumeel... Whistles and blasts heard in the sky..*
Phew! Thank the crackers. Heya readers! Wake up. It's time for Abhyanga Snana. Oils and water from the Ganges are awaiting you! It's me, Shubh Deepavali here. Where are my gifts and sweets? It's celebration time! Let's spread the light!
दीपस्य प्रकाशः न केवलं भवतः गृहम् उज्ज्वालयतु जीवनम् अपि || (May the light of Diya (lamp) illuminate not just your home but life too)
We, The Indian Legion wish every wonderful person a very "Happy and Safe Diwali".
May this light invade the darkness and enlighten the weakness with strength, belief and positivity.
And we end it by praying:
दीपज्योतिः परंब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दनः। दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते॥
