Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, many people attend firework displays, prayers and celebratory events across the world every autumn. The festival is celebrated by the Hindus, for a variety of reasons, although the main theme which runs throughout is the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Diwali is the 5 days festivals of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus across the world. The actual day of diwali is traditionally celebrated on the festival’s 3^rd day which this year falls on Saturday, October 25^th. Diwali is also known as deepawali. It means, “A row or cluster of lights” or “rows of diyas (clay lamps)”. The festival symbolizes the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. During diwali, the goddess lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth, happiness and prosperity, is also worshipped.

Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. It is celebrated on the 15^th day of kartika (October or November) in the Hindu calendar.

People celebrate diwali to honor Rama Chandra. It is believed that on this day, Rama Chandra returned to his people after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon king Ravana.

It is also celebration with regard to a sister named Yamuna who awaited and longed for his brother Yamaraj for their re-union after their departure. They had best rapport and bond between them but stayed separately. Yamuna missed Yamaraj a lot hence she invited him. Firstly a crow was sent to Yamaraj’s place to invite Yamaraj but he was unwilling to come due to some inconvenience. Crow returned unsuccessful.

Then the dog willingly went to Yamaraj to invite Yamaraj but seemed unsuccessful. Then cow made Yamaraj to understand his sister’s concern on him. Then he came riding an energetic bull. Therefore the crow, dog, cow and ox are worshipped as a token of appreciation. It is believed that Yamuna pasted colorful tika to her brother Yamaraj. The same is done to brothers by the sisters. They break walnut after tika depicting the killing of enemies

Diwali at Sherubtse, Kanglung also was memorable. Around 6pm, all the lhotshampas, Dantak people and interested people gathered in mandir. We decorated the mandir, lighted the earthen lamps (clay lamps) and started with the programme. We sang bhajans along worshipping goddess lakshmi. After that, some interested people went to play dawsuray.