Essays

India is a land of festivals and celebrations. Festivals are an expression of one's joy, appreciation and love, in fact, they are a reason of bringing people of all caste, creed and religion in society together to celebrate in unison. Due to India's vast religious and cultural diversity, too many festivals, festivities and fairs are celebrated regularly every year. Festivals like Holi, Diwall, Moharram, Baisakhi, Christmas, Budh Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti etc are celebrated by people of all communities, classes and religions in India.

Among all the festivals, my favourite festival is of course Diwali. It is celebrated just before the onslaught of winter season, at the end of October or many a times in the beginning of November. According to the Hindu calendar, Diwali is celebrated on the 15th of the month of Kartik - when the weather is pleasant, being neither too hot nor too cold. The festival is celebrated in the joyous memory of Ramchandra's return to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years. The people of Ayodhya lit 'diyas' of ghee to express their infinite joy on the return of their beloved king Ram. One can imagine the entire city being lit up on a moonless night with strings of 'deepaks' and candles—that was how the first Diwali was celebrated. Since then, Diwali is celebrated every year to commensurate the return of Ram—the ideal man of our civilization. Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and lord Ganesha, the lord of remover of obstacles, are worshipped on this day for prosperity, success and material abundance.

Such is the charm of this festival that preparations begin months before Diwali. The markets get crowded and busy. People come out of their homes and flock to crowded markets to buy delicacies, new clothes, crackers elf. People clean up their homes and get them whitewashed or painted. Children also eagerly wait to wear new clothes and light fire-crackers.

The festive season begins ten days before Diwali. with the celebration of Dussehra, which is celebrated to mark Ram's victory over demon Ravana, On Dussehra, huge effigies of Ravana are erected with his imposing ten-heads along with the statues of Meghnada and Kumbhakarna. Thousands of people flock to see the burning of Havana's effigy—symbolizing the victory of good over evil. A day before Diwali 'Dhanteras' is celebrated and it is considered auspicious to buy utensils on this day. The markets are extremely crowded on this day as people buy gold, silver and utensils as a sign of good luck and fortune.

On the eve of Diwali, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha during the auspicious time called 'Mooharat', Businessmen begin their new financial year by making new ledger books and seeking the blessings of deities. After the Puja, people dressed in new clothes, come out of their home's, light crackers and wish each other. Houses far and wide light up with diyas, candles and artificial light strings. Children dressed in new clothes light fire-crackers and eat sweets. On this day, people of all religion, caste, creed and culture shed their differences and meet each other gaily to celebrate this festival. Shops are decorated with festoons and paper buntings. Strings of artificial lights are put up everywhere. Houses sparkle with the light of the diyas. Rangoli is made; gifts and sweets are exchanged among friends and relatives- The day is marked with great fervour and joy.

The word 'Diwali' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Deepawali' which means 'rows of light'. Thus, Diwali is considered as the festival of light. Light is a symbol of knowledge, enlightment and good's victory over evil. Amidst all the merriment, mirth and joy, we should not forget the true meaning and essence of Diwali. Perseverance, fortitude and goodness may pass-through trials and tribulations, yet would emerge victorious in the end—this is the true message that Diwali brings into light. It is extremely relevant in the present context as the evil of corruption is pervading everywhere.