Festival of Lights (Diwali) - the history of the holiday

Diwali Deep.Image via Wikipedia


Today the festival of Diwali, or Deepavali, which in Sanskrit means "fiery bunch" - the festival of lights, celebrated everywhere in India and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil.

There are several legends associated with the holiday. Vaishnavites linking the start of Diwali celebrations with the coronation of Prince Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu. On the night of his happy enthronement across the country was arranged illyuminatsiya.Divali celebrated (one of the legends) in honor of the triumphant return of the Ruler of Rama in Ayodhyu after the exile and his victory over Ravana. And another legend associated with demon-king Bali, who made such a spiritual asceticism, that the gods in the heavens began to feel threatened. Then Lord Vishnu took the form of a dwarf Vamana (the fifth incarnation of Vishnu). Demonic King served in the land of great sacrifice in the true tradition. In this sacrifice he gave to any all that he asked. Vamana went to him. Bali said that Vamana was late and that he had almost nothing to give him. Vamana said: all he wants is something that is of him in his three steps. King Demon relaxed, laughed and complied with the request. "Dwarf" has grown to enormous size and measured the earth with his first step, the second step he measured the heavens. And then turning to Bali and asked him: "Where do my third step?" Bali realized that it was none other than the Lord and bowed his head and offered for the third step. When Bali was defeated, the Lord also freed those who entered Bali, among whom were Lakshmi - the Goddess of wealth - and Ganesh.

According to another version, the wise rule of Rama signified deliverance from spiritual darkness. Lights fires symbolize the return of humanity from darkness to light thanks to the legendary prince.

In every district of India celebrate Diwali is different. For some parts of the country and population groups (eg, for trade communities of Western India) Diwali coincides with the beginning of the year. Traders in the day resulted in the order book of accounts, clean up the shop. Evening shops and houses make illuminated with oil lamps or garlands of electric lights.

In most parts of India, Diwali is dedicated to the Goddess of wealth and fertility of Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu. Houses thoroughly cleaned, all the lights are lit, as the Goddess does not like the dark, turning to her with a prayer, brings her milk, which omits the coin, and at night left the doors and windows open so it was easier to get into the house.

In the south of India celebrate Diwali in the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. In this day of victory of good over evil Hindus abundantly smeared themselves coconut oil, which cleanses them of sin, as the ceremony is considered equal to the value of ablutions in the sacred Ganges.

In the East, India, and especially in Bengal, Diwali is dedicated to the worship of the black Goddess Kali, which embodies the cult of force. On this occasion, before the images of the Goddess of ten days, make prayer, and then these images are immersed in water of rivers or ponds.


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2 коммент.:

  Cameron

18 октября 2009 г. в 03:21

yes you can (responding to your comment on It's An Infinite Cycle)

  Arvind

18 октября 2009 г. в 12:06

Hello!

Happy Diwali to you!!!

You visited my blog at www.ArvindDevalia.com/blog and asked to quote from my post about Gandhi.

Of course you can do so!

Thank you for spreading Gandhi's message.


Best wishes



Arvind