Basic HTML Version
Cover Story
12 ~ FireFlyz
D
eepavali
is
celebratedworldwide
by theHindus on
Amavasya, which is the
darkest night at the
end of theHindu lunarmonth of Ashvin.
eepavali is a celebration that symbolises
the victory of light over darkness, good
over evil, knowledge over ignorance and
hope over despair.
Every year on the dark nights of Deep-
avali, the sound of firecrackers announces
the arrival of India’s favourite festival. It
almost feels like a fairy-tale, with lights
fromthousands of lamps lighting up the
night, homes fully decorated and sweets
distributed by everyone. In India, Deep-
avali remains themost important and
magical festival of all. Not only celebrated
by theHindus, the festival is enjoyed by
people of all religions, providing awarm,
joyous atmosphere of togetherness.
Symbol of an illuminatedmind
One of themore popular stories about
Divali is the return of Lord Rama and his
Deepavali is known as The Festival of
Lights as it eliminates the darkness and
brings bright new hope.
Fireflyz
looks
at its history and how it is celebrated in
its country of origin, India.
Light Unto
wife Sita to Ayodhya after their fourteen
year exile. This is related in the Ramayana
(the Story of Rama). It tells the tale of how
Lord Rama, with the aid of themonkey
warrior, Hanuman, vanquished the evil
king Ravana of Lanka and rescued his
wife Sitawho had been captured. After
this victory, the entire city of Ayodhyawas
decoratedwith garlands and flowers in
celebration for the arrival of Lord Rama’s
return. The surroundings were very clean
and beautifully scented.
Throughout Ayodhya devotees were
fasting, anxiously waiting for the arrival of
Lord Rama. He returned to Ayodhyawith
Sita andwas greetedwith joy and celebra-
tions and the people lighted rows of clay
lamps towelcome him. This signified the
triumph of good over evil and the coming
of God-consciousness into the life of the
devotee. The day he destroyed Ravanawas
calledDussehra and the day onwhich he
returned to Ayodhyawas calledDivali.
Whatevermay be the fables and
legends behind the celebrations of Deep-
avali, the tradition remains the same. On
the day of Deepavali, hanging decorations
called
torans
adorn the hallways of
houses. They are usuallymade out of
mango leaves andmarigolds. Temporary
floor decorations, known as
rangolis
, are
drawnwith different coloured powders
towelcome guests. These traditional
motifs are usually linkedwith auspicious
symbols of good luck. Oil
diyas
or lamps
are arranged in and around the house as
the festival acquired its name fromthese
flickering lamps.
Dipawali
or
Diwali
means
‘rowof lamps’ in Sanskrit.
Darkness
Little girls in their new
clothes for Deepavali.