Indus Valley Times

By Er Taraprasad Mishra

Jajpur,Nove 2 : Diwali is here and it marks a special time of celebrations, fun and fervour. While people will be wearing new outfits, buying lanterns and buying other decor for the home, a big part of the Festival of Lights is lighting diyas or earthen lamps.Diwali or Deepawali is the festival of lights and sweetness.

It is basically a symbol of the victory of good over evil, brightness over darkness, and truth over falsity. Each and every legend associated with this fabulous festival gives the same message. The thick dark new-moon (Amavasya) night on which the Diwali festival is celebrated, seems like a full-moon (Purnima) night, because of the effulgent light of numerous diyas or deepaks lighted on this night.

These diyasnot only make Diwali, the festival of lights, but they also symbolize the supremacy and consequence of brightness over darkness. The same message is given by the Hindu Upanishads by saying, “Asato Ma Sadgamaya”.

The lighted diyas on Diwali also remind us of the same teaching of the Upanishads. Diya can be defined as a small earthen lamp that is specially lit on Diwali for pujan and decoration purposes. A cotton wick is used in diyas, and oil or ghee serves as the burning fuel.

Diyas are plain and colored, big and small, simple and fancy, and so. Different types of diyas are appropriate for different applications. Children could also make their own diyas as a fun activity on Diwali.

This could be done by using clay or dough. It is better not to use a wool wick in ghee diyas. As the festive season approaches near, markets get flooded with various types of gifts, decoration, and puja items. The crafted and designer diyas are one of the big attractions in such markets.

Diyas embellished with zari, painted patterns, mirrors, etc. are quite enticing by their very appearance. Diwali melas, markets, and haats, showcase a multitude of handcrafted items made by ceramic and handicraft artists throughout the country.

 Diwali diyas are one of the major attractions in such markets. Besides the conventional single spout diyas, multi spout diyas like 10, 11, and 21 spout diyas, and Laxmi-Ganesha diyas can be seen in Diwali markets.

 Also, multicolored and vibrant colored diyas present in diwali haats and diwali melas look fabulous. However old may be the tradition of diyas on Diwali, it has never lost its significance and charm. Diwali celebrations are incomplete and graceless without the use of Diwali diyas.

There is no doubt, diyas were, are, and will remain a significant part of the Diwali festival. In every home, these tiny lamps are lit right from the run-up to the festival.

But do you know what they signify? Diyas symbolise goodness and purity, and lighting them denotes dispelling darkness and going into light. And since Deepavali is celebrated on the new moon day, a time of darkness everywhere; light these lamps are a means to get rid of darkness.

Lighting the lamps also denotes dispelling angerm greed and other vices. The lamps also stand for good luck. The traditional diyas were lit using ghee (clarified butter) but today people also commonly use oil. The lore goes that as per Indian tradition, the little diyas are bought on Ashwin Purnima, which is a full moon day, which is about two weeks prior to Diwali. Then diyas are soaked in water so as to make them ready for the Diwali pooja.

Deepawali’, the festival of lights, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals of Hindus. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout India and in some other parts of the world. With this festival are associated many lores and legends.

 It marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and the homecoming of Lord Rama after an exile of 14 years. As a matter of fact, this festival is the symbol of victory of the forces of virtue over evil. On the day of Diwali, there are hectic activities all over the country. People invite their near and dear ones. On this day, sweets are made and distributed among friends and relatives. People indulge in fun and frolic on the day of Diwali.

New clothes are worn by everyone. Children and teenagers dress in their most glittering and dazzling clothes. At night, fireworks and crackers are also let off. The bright flames of the fireworks present an exquisite sight in the dark night. The festival wears a lovely look. Everyone is well dressed, gay and mirthful.

Some celebrate the day in the most enthusiastic manner. At night, the people decorate their houses, with lights, diyas, candles and tube lights. They eat, drink and enjoy the evening with crackers. The cities and towns are immersed in light and sound of the fireworks. Apart from houses, public buildings and government offices are also lit up.

It is an enchanting sight to behold. Hindus worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, on this day. They offer prayers so that Goddess Lakshmi may visit their houses and bestow prosperity. Deepawali is the festival of the whole country. It is celebrated in every nook and corner of the country. So, this festival also creates a sense of oneness among the people.

 It becomes a symbol of unity. India has been celebrating this festival for thousands of years and continues to celebrate it even today. All Indians love this festival. Diwali is my favorite festival of the year and I celebrate it with lots of enthusiasm with my family members and friends. Diwali is called the festival of lights because we celebrate it by lighting lots of diyas and candles.

 It is a traditional and cultural festival celebrated by each and every Hindu person all over India and abroad. People decorate their houses with lots of candles and small clay oil lamps indicating the victory of good over evil. Family members spend most of the day time in preparing house (cleaning, decorating, etc) to welcome the festival with a grand evening party.

 Neighbors, family members, and friends get collected in the evening party and enjoy the party with lots of delicious Indian dishes, dance, music, etc all through the night. Houses look very attractive in whitewash, candle lights, and rangolis. High pitch music and fireworks make the celebration more interesting.

People go to their homes by taking off from their job, offices and other works students also book their train around three months ago to easily go to their home at the Diwali festival because everyone wants to celebrate this festival with their family members in the home town. People generally enjoy the festival by feasting, bursting crackers and enjoying the dance with family and friends.

However, it is prohibited by the doctors to get outside and enjoy firecrackers especially people suffering from lung or heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes, etc. Such people have to knock the doctor’s door because of consuming highly saturated food and sweets in high amounts and lack of exercise and pollution caused by crackers these days.