Diwali: The only festival featured in The Ramayana and The Mahabharata
Diwali, or the Festival of Lights doesn’t need any introduction as it is celebrated in our country by all and sundry. However, few of us know that it is a five-day festival, starting with Dhanteras when people clean their homes, purchase gold or other metals, as the symbol of summoning wealth and fortune. It is followed by Chhoti Diwali when people decorate homes, create rangoli and Diwali or Baadi Diwali, which is the most important day. This is when the whole of India honours Goddess Lakshmi, worships her, seeks her blessings, and indulges in a grand feast. The fourth day is the Goverdhan Puja when people share gifts and pray to Lord Vishnu for their family’s well-being. Finally, Diwali is wrapped up with Bhai Dooj, a custom that celebrates sibling bonding.
While there are many theories as to when Diwali originated and how, there is no conclusive opinion about it. However, both our epics make a mention of this festival at large and how it symbolises the victory of good over evil. In fact, you will be surprised to know that this is the only festival to have been featured in both the texts.
Diwali in The Ramayana
As you may have already known, Diwali marks the day when Lord Rama along with wife Sita and brother Lakshmana returned to his native place Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile. So, here is how the story unfolds. Exiled by his own father King Dasharatha, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana face a series of hardships as they travel through the forests. One such obstacle is when Sita gets kidnapped by the powerful demon king of Lanka, Ravana. Even though Jatayu, the divine bird and disciple of Rama tries to bravely fight off the cruel abductor and save Sita, it fails and Ravana forcefully takes Sita across the sea to his own kingdom and keeps her captive. When Rama hears about this, he is enraged and seeks the help of Sugriva, the king of the Vanaras (monkeys) and his trusted general Hanuman who all collaborate to build a bridge of stones (they are blessed and are therefore buoyant) over the sea, connecting to Lanka. Anyhow, when Rama reaches Lanka, a fight ensues between him and Ravana, which ends with the later being slayed and Sita rescued. At the end of the war, all of them go back home to Ayodhya. To welcome them and celebrate the victory of good over evil, the people of Ayodhya make arrangements such as cleaning their homes, decorating them by placing oil lamps and lighting their path. This ritual of lighting lamps is continued till date and is an integral part of Diwali celebrations.
Diwali in The Mahabharata
For those unaware, Diwali in The Mahabharata is also associated with the story of an exile. Turns out, when the five Pandava brothers admit defeat in the deceitful game of dice against the cunning Kauravas, they lose all their possessions and are forced to go on an exile. Years later, after overcoming several hardships, the Pandavas with their wife Draupadi, return to their kingdom, on the dark and moonless night of Kartika Amavasya (the new moon night in the seventh month of Hindu calendar). When their dedicated subjects hear about their return, they are elated and light innumerable earthen lamps to welcome them home. Later, lighting earthen lamps too became a vital part of celebrating Diwali.
Unique Diwali traditions across India
While lighting lamps and candles and burning crackers are two of the most popular Diwali traditions that are observed across the country, there are certain unique ones too, specific to certain regions. Here are some instances.
Commemorating Guru Nanak’s return to Punjab
Diwali, although a full-fledged Hindu festival, also coincides with the Sikh festival Bandi Chhor Diwas that commemorates the return of sixth Guru Nanak’s return to Punjab after being wrongly imprisoned by Mughal emperor Jahangir (at the Gwalior Fort) who was afraid of the guru’s growing popularity and influence. Since then, the Sikhs have marked the guru’s day of release with lighting lamps in their residences and gurudwaras, bursting firecrackers and even feasting.
Worshipping Goddess Kali on Diwali in East India
While most of India worships Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali, eastern states such as West Bengal, Assam and Odisha worship Goddess Kali. Deemed as Shyama Puja, it is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in the East, after Durga Puja. Goddess Kali is summoned at night to guide her disciples in the path of goodness, happiness, health, fortune and serenity.
Crops wedding in Chhattisgarh
As you know, Chhattisgarh is full of tribal communities. Guess how these native people observe Diwali? By organising a ceremonial wedding of crops in the fields with Lord Narayana. Thereafter, food grains are stocked up for winter. They call this celebration ‘Diyari’ and the crops are personified as Goddess Lakshmi.