Authored article by Giresh Vasudev Kulkarni, Founder of Temple Connect
It is that time of year when the country is filled with themes of prosperity, joy, the homecoming of Bhagawan Ram, and lightning the path for ancestors by celebrating the “Festival of Lights,”- Diwali. Each state with its unique touch to the traditions, customs, rituals, culinary and celebrations reflects its heritage. Students and working professionals return to their homes for celebration; from the North to the South, the festival celebrates India’s vast cultural and regional diversity.
Homecoming of Bhagawan Ram in North India and Diwali
In North India, on main Diwali, families gather for the Lakshmi Pujan, offering prayers for well-being and wealth. People exchange gifts and sweets, and the skies light up with fireworks.
The 5-day festivities start with Dhanteras, Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi), main Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Here Diwali is celebrated for the return of Bhagawan Shri Ram, maata Sita, and Lakshman to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. This year in Ayodhya, 2.5 million lamps are to be illuminated near the banks of the Sarayu River.
Diwali coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas in Sikhs. This marks the return of Guru Hargobind Singh Ji and 52 kings from imprisonment. Processions and prayers are organized on this day and the Golden Temple, Amritsar, is illuminated with lights.
Prosperity and the Gujarati New Year in Western India
In Gujarat, Diwali coincides with Bestu Varas (Gujarati New Year), marking a time for renewal and prosperity. This emphasizes the spirit of new beginnings, particularly for business communities, on the day of Diwali Chopda Pujan ritual is done which blesses new account books for financial success in the coming year.
In Maharashtra, festivities start with Vasubaras (cattle-worshiping), Diwali is celebrated with culinary such as chakli, faral, shankarpali and karanji among others. Bhai Dooj (Bhau Beej or Bhav Bij) is celebrated highly where sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ forehead and pray for their long lives.
Kali Puja and the Powerful Goddess in Eastern and North Eastern India
In West Bengal and Assam, Goddess Kali is worshiped during Diwali. Also known as Kali puja, it venerates her fierce protective powers symbolizing strength against misfortune and evil adding an intense and distinctive flavor to the festival. Offerings of fruits, sweets, and flowers, with a mix of festivity and devotion makes the celebration grand. Alpanas (a form of rangoli), are often drawn in white, this is followed by the lighting of lamps and the bursting of firecrackers. In Meghalaya, people light lamps in their homes and on the hills, which creates a spectacle of lights.
Deepavali and the Triumph over Narakasura in Southern India
In the South, Deepawali celebrates Bhagawan Krishna’s victory over Narakasura. From the early morning oil bath on Naraka Chaturdashi, people dress in new clothes, light diyas, and exchange sweets. Beautiful patterns made with rice flour- kolams are made at doorsteps to welcome deities and guests. As mentioned in the Chapter 62 of the Skanda Purana people hold firebrands in their hands to light the path for their ancestors. In south India, bursting firecrackers represent a farewell to the departed ancestors.
In Tamil Nadu, newlyweds celebrate their first Diwali at the bride’s home known as Thalai Deepavali. In Karnataka Bali Pratipada, is celebrated honoring King Bali, while in Andhra Pradesh Harikatha performances narrating Bhagawan Krishna are held.
Culinary Diwali Delicacies Across Regions
In North India laddoos, gulab jamun, peda, and a variety of sweets are commonly prepared. In the West, Gujarati households enjoy savory snacks like dhokla and fafda. Maharashtrian homes are filled with faral, chakli, chiwda among others. South Indian kitchens fill with the aroma of murukku, athirasam, and payasam, while East India brings forth sweets like rasgulla, sandesh, and chhena poda, among others.
Read more:- Celebrating Diwali with Swee10 Stevia-Based Sweeteners
Diwali Decoration and Lighting
With every home filled with visual grandeur to welcome positivity and prosperity, the festival is an art of illumination. From the elaborate rangolis in North India made with colors (made from suji) or flowers, toran made from mango and Ashoka leaves, marigold flowers and diyas to kolams made from rice in the South, to brass lamps (nilavilakku), and lights sparkle the atmosphere all around
Diwali in India is not just a festival but rather an experience for people to come together in the spirit of unity, love, and hope. The core message of light conquering the darkness which we symbolise with lightning during the dark night of Amavasya, is a reminder that no matter what the situation is we can make the best out of it.
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