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II Legends of
Diwali / Deepavali II
| Diwali,
the “festival of lights” is the most important festival for
Hindus around the globe. The legends behind the festival are
as varied as the manner of its celebration, but common to all
of them is the theme of the triumph of good over evil.
Everywhere Diwali symbolizes the lifting of spiritual darkness
and ushers light. In due course of time, numerous
historical incidents got connected with this festival. Various
legends are attributed to this festival and the reasons for
celebration differ in different regions of the country.
Main Legend - The Story of
Rama and Sita: |
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In the north, particularly in
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and the surrounding
areas, Diwali is the day when King Rama`s coronation was
celebrated in Ayodhya after his epic war with Ravana, the
demon king of Lanka.
Lord Rama was a great warrior King who was exiled by his
father Dashratha, the King of Ayodhya, along with his wife
Sita and his younger brother Lakshman, on his wife's
insistence. Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14
years of exile, in which he put an end to the demon Ravana of
Lanka, who was a great Pundit, highly learned but still evil
dominated his mind. After this victory of Good over Evil, Rama
returned to Ayodhya. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed them by
lighting rows of clay lamps. So, it is an occasion in honor of
Rama's victory over Ravana; of Truth's victory over Evil.
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The Story of King Bali and Vamana Avatar(the Dwarf): |
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other story concerns King Bali, who was a generous ruler. But
he was also very ambitious. Some of the Gods pleaded Vishnu to
check King Bali's power. Vishnu came to earth in the form of a
Vamana(dwarf) dressed as priest. The dwarf approached King
Bali and said "You are the ruler of the three worlds: the
Earth, the world above the skies and the underworld. Would you
give me the space that I could cover with three strides?" King
Bali laughed. Surely a dwarf could not cover much ground,
thought the King, who agreed to dwarf's request. At this
point, the dwarf changed into Vishnu and his three strides
covered the Earth, the Skies and the whole Universe! King Bali
was send to the underworld. As part of Diwali celebrations,
some Hindus remember King Bali.
Click for
this story in Hindi |
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The Story of Narakasura : |
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Another legend
talks about the Demon named Narakasur who had managed to
acquire such awesome powers that he began to terrorize the
three worlds. He was killed and defeated by Lord Krishna. As a
symbol of that victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with
the demon king's blood. Krishna returned home early morning on
the day of Narakachaturdashi. The womenfolk massaged scented
oil on his body and gave him a bath to wash away the demon’s
blood. Since then the custom of taking an oil bath before
sunrise on this day has become a traditional practice
especially in Maharashtra and in the South.
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Story of Goddess Lakshmi : |
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On this day Mother
Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar.
She brought with Her wealth and prosperity for mankind. On
that day, Lakshmi Pooja was performed to honour Her and as
such, every year on Diwali day, Hindus perform Her prayer and
worship. The making and distribution of various sweets and
total vegetarian foods are the order of the day. This practice
is alive and well to this very day. Many people believe that
Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and good fortune, visit the
homes of devotees on this day. Worship of Lakshmi is performed
in the evening. |
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Another Legend : |
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rural areas, Diwali signifies Harvest Festival. Diwali which
occurs at the end of a cropping season has along with the
above custom, a few others that reinforce the hypothesis of
its having originated as a harvest. Every harvest normally
spelt prosperity. The celebration was first started in India
by farmers after they reaped their harvests. They celebrated
with joy and offered praises to God for granting them a good
crop. |
More about Diwali :
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