It’s November, yet another time of the year that emanates the feeling of euphoria. It’s ironic how satisfying yet short-lived this feeling is. That ever lasting feeling of holidays to not end never goes away!
As the season of festivals kicks in, the air of joy spreads all around. Diwali and its festivities are certainly my favorites. The amount of positivity this festival radiates is surreal. It is rightly said that Diwali is the festival of lights. From the streets that sparkle and glitter to getting our homes renovated, this festival emancipates the whole environment. This joyous occasion unifies the entire community as one. I feel positive to see how a festival diminishes the religious divide. I believe festivals try to blur boundaries and break stereotypes and barriers. Festivals certainly bring a sense of inclusivity. I see festivals as occasions that continue to transcend religious barriers. They help perpetuate feelings of oneness, love, and acceptanc and aids in reducing religious dogmatism.
Diwali is celebrated in various parts of India. Different communities have adopted varying ways of celebrating the festivity. For instance, in Orissa, people erect tall bamboo trees in front of their homes with a pot and a lamp tied to the top of it. The Kumaonis, hailing from Uttarakhand, celebrate Diwali by painting the threshold of their houses red. They do so with geru– a filtered red soil and rice solution used to paint doorsteps. Thus, the festival is marked by great vitality, unity, and vigor.
This festival marks the day when Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, returns to Ayodhya, his kingdom, after 14 years of exile. Each year, Diwali falls on Amavasya. It is the darkest day of the autumn season and marks the end of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin. According to the Hindu tradition, Prince Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu (referred to as lord of the universe) and an embodiment of dharma or righteousness. Sita is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The residents of Ayodhya were so happy about their return that they lit lamps in their honor, an important component of the festival that persists to this day.
This special day has set an example of the victory of good over evil and to this date, its stories are celebrated in every corner of India. Centuries before he became a revered icon in Hindutva, Ram was, and continues to be regarded by millions, as Maryada Purushottam — one who always upholds dharma. Dharma, for Ram, was not about defeating Ravan (the King of Lanka who abducted his wife, Sita, in the epic Ramayana), the enemy outside, but killing ego, the Ravan inside.
For me, Diwali is more than just about wearing new clothes, gifting, and having delicacies. I believe the pre-festivity preparations build an overwhelming excitement. As soon as the months of October-November begin to arrive, the streets seem to be decorated. My mom begins her home-cleaning chores. Every corner of the house ought to be thoroughly cleaned with not a peck of dirt to be found anywhere. And guess what? While toiling, I get distracted and venture into finding old pictures only to cherish them for hours and hours. It’s an all-time favorite hobby of mine! But as soon as I hear my mom shouting and admonishing, I get back to work. It’s a bit strenuous to elucidate this feeling. There’s this distinctive tenderness about Diwali which I certainly don’t experience during any other festival. The entire atmosphere is brightened.
Nonetheless, this festival is my all-time favorite. People visiting my home with sweets and gifts, us going to theirs, and decorating the home with flowers and lights, are some of the reasons that I cherish this festival the most. From choosing my Pinterest-inspired rangoli (sand art or floor art) design and trying to produce the same in one of the corners of my house to yelling at my brother to not spoil it, Diwali is a delightful experience. Going to pandals (pavillions or temporary sheds), Diwali melas (Diwali fairs), and buying new dresses and decorative items from the markets are some of my cherished festive activities to indulge in.
As I pen this piece, my heart rejoices. Diwali is an exceptional feeling for me and my family. I will always hold dear to the memories I make during this season. Hoping you had a great and safe Diwali!