Why Diwali ?
I grew up celebrating different festivals. Sometimes, I wonder why there are so many festivals in Hindu calendar, more specifically among Bengalies. Diwali has more of a nationalistic flavor, but is often associated with other Pujas such as Kali Puja, Laxmi Puja etc in different regions.
"...Once upon a time, there was this god called Rama who had to go to forest for more than 10 years with his wife and bro, Lax because of his step-mom. Then there was this scary gangster named Ravana who kidnapped his wife and messed up the situation. Eventually Rama fought with Ravana along with his bro and an army of monkeys, and returned home after 12 years with his wife. Since there was hardly any means of entertainment those days, people lit the lamps and all to welcome them, and thats how Diwali got started..."
Kali Puja usually takes place late night before Diwali night and is mostly done by Bengalies. Goddess Kali has always been very fascinating. She has very dark complexion, wears a garland of skulls, stands on the chest of Lord Shiva and is accompanied by two demi-gods. She is a killer god ! Even Ramkrishna Paramhansa was a dedicated worshipper of Kali and probably Swami Vivekananda too. Her blessings are supposed to imbibe strength and power. I have heard that earlier the robbers used to worship Kali before going to do robbery.
Diwali symbolizes victory of righteousness and light over darkness. Is it not a general message behind most of the festivals ? But, what bugs me little, does Diwali really serve any purpose ? It feels nice that friends send Diwali wishes asking how I spent Diwali. I used to like the holiday part. Now I don't do anything different. It wonder why people in India spend money, time and energy in celebrating Diwali. People spend thousands of Rupees in buying and having fun with fire-crackers and lights. I am sure not most of the same people would bother to donate even Rs 100 to any charity, orphanage or old home. The fireworks industry, for example in Shivakasi is responsible for child-labor at large scale. Now people burn diet fire-crackers which don't make sounds and are pollution friendly.
However, I used to like some other festivals though, for example Makar Sankranti which is related to new year and new harvest from the fields. Lots of delicious food and desserts would be made at home. Then there used to be Saraswati Puja (The Goddess of Knowledge and Learning) when we would not study books. There are others too such as Laxmi Puja, Rakhsha Bandhan....
I am not sure if these festivals and rituals will remain part of Indian culture for centuries to come, but all of these festivals certainly bring joy and hope in the minds and hearts of many Indians.
"...Once upon a time, there was this god called Rama who had to go to forest for more than 10 years with his wife and bro, Lax because of his step-mom. Then there was this scary gangster named Ravana who kidnapped his wife and messed up the situation. Eventually Rama fought with Ravana along with his bro and an army of monkeys, and returned home after 12 years with his wife. Since there was hardly any means of entertainment those days, people lit the lamps and all to welcome them, and thats how Diwali got started..."
Kali Puja usually takes place late night before Diwali night and is mostly done by Bengalies. Goddess Kali has always been very fascinating. She has very dark complexion, wears a garland of skulls, stands on the chest of Lord Shiva and is accompanied by two demi-gods. She is a killer god ! Even Ramkrishna Paramhansa was a dedicated worshipper of Kali and probably Swami Vivekananda too. Her blessings are supposed to imbibe strength and power. I have heard that earlier the robbers used to worship Kali before going to do robbery.
Diwali symbolizes victory of righteousness and light over darkness. Is it not a general message behind most of the festivals ? But, what bugs me little, does Diwali really serve any purpose ? It feels nice that friends send Diwali wishes asking how I spent Diwali. I used to like the holiday part. Now I don't do anything different. It wonder why people in India spend money, time and energy in celebrating Diwali. People spend thousands of Rupees in buying and having fun with fire-crackers and lights. I am sure not most of the same people would bother to donate even Rs 100 to any charity, orphanage or old home. The fireworks industry, for example in Shivakasi is responsible for child-labor at large scale. Now people burn diet fire-crackers which don't make sounds and are pollution friendly.
However, I used to like some other festivals though, for example Makar Sankranti which is related to new year and new harvest from the fields. Lots of delicious food and desserts would be made at home. Then there used to be Saraswati Puja (The Goddess of Knowledge and Learning) when we would not study books. There are others too such as Laxmi Puja, Rakhsha Bandhan....
I am not sure if these festivals and rituals will remain part of Indian culture for centuries to come, but all of these festivals certainly bring joy and hope in the minds and hearts of many Indians.
3 comments:
The stories we read in out textbooks about Diwlai are very different than what you mentioned here.
We celebrate Diwali for Narakasura Vadha by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama.
as long as have a reason to celebrate something, its fine...
there was a hidden message or reality in this article that may be even the writer couldnt detect.
The fact remains today is that india is changing its image to that of a glamour society as opposite to the land of simplicity and intellects. No issues with that but it pinches to see that diwali is no longer a festival that stands for the reasons sited in the article.
Today it stands more for who has got how much and wealth display. instead of home culture its going to the extreme culture of clubbing.
We forget that our strength is our unique family system and celebration of these festivals together with family members and sharing it with others not by displaying wealth and polluting the enviroment but by spreading love.
whereas others festivals like makar sankranti and saraswati puja still hold their simplicity and cause till date to a certain extent. but becuse of this reason it is becoming increasingly invisible in metro cities. the culture is spreading to smaller towns also. but elders there still make sure to celebrate these festivals
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