Diwali

According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Ram had gone into the forest for fourteen years. Sita and Lakshman were with him. They endured great hardship in the forest. But Ram never abandoned the path of dharma.

When fourteen years were complete, Ram was returning to Ayodhya. The Valmiki Ramayana describes that it was the month of Kartik. The night was dark — the night of the new moon. But the hearts of the townspeople were full of joy.

It is said that the people of Ayodhya had waited a long time for their Ram. When news came that Ram was on his way, they lit lamps in every home. On that dark night, rows of lamps blazed to life. All of Ayodhya was bathed in light.

That Kartik Amavasya night is remembered to this day. When Ram, Sita, and Lakshman returned, it was as if light had triumphed over darkness. In memory of that homecoming, Diwali has been celebrated every year.

The Padma Purana describes Kartik Amavasya as a day especially significant for the veneration of Goddess Lakshmi. The Vishnu Purana tells the story of the churning of the ocean, from which Goddess Lakshmi appeared. The presence of Lakshmi in the Kartik month has long been felt in a special way. This is the tradition behind the puja of Lakshmi and Ganesha on this night.

The next day is called Narak Chaturdashi. According to the Bhagavat Purana, Krishna defeated a demon named Narakasura. This day is celebrated in memory of that victory.

The Skanda Purana describes the tradition of lighting lamps. It says that a lamp removes darkness and brings an auspicious atmosphere to the home. That is why lamps have always held such importance in this festival. Lamps of oil and ghee, clay diyas — together they fill the night with light.

Diwali is a five-day celebration. The first day is Dhanteras. The second day is Narak Chaturdashi. The third day is Lakshmi Puja — this is the main Diwali. The fourth day is Govardhan Puja, when the Bhagavat Purana's story of Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill to protect the people of Braj is remembered. The fifth day is Bhai Dooj — a festival of love between brothers and sisters.

This festival is not only the glow of lamps. It is the cleaning of the house, new clothes, sweets, and the gathering of family. It is the moment when the whole country lights lamps together. However deep the darkness — a small lamp can challenge it. Diwali reminds us of exactly that.

Diwali's deepest meaning is the return of light. According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Ram's arrival in Ayodhya brought joy back to the city. According to the Padma Purana, Kartik Amavasya is an occasion for Lakshmi's grace. According to the Skanda Purana, lighting a lamp is a removal of darkness. All three traditions say the same thing — light is greater than darkness.

This festival brings families together. People living far away return home. Elders' blessings and children's laughter are heard at the same time. Sweets are exchanged. All of this together creates something that is not merely a festival, but a shared human experience.

The tradition of Diwali is very old. The Puranas mention it; the Ramayana holds its roots. For centuries, across every corner of India, in different languages and different customs, this festival has been celebrated. On a single night, crores of lamps are lit across the country at the same time — that sight is extraordinary in itself.

• Cleaning the house and making rangoli — the home is made clean and beautiful before the festival.
• Lighting rows of lamps — the tradition of lighting clay diyas with oil or ghee is described in the Skanda Purana.
• Puja of Lakshmi and Ganesha — on Kartik Amavasya night, following the tradition of the Padma Purana.
• Exchanging sweets — sending sweets to neighbours and family.
• New clothes — the custom of wearing new clothing during this festival.
• Family meal — family members eat together.
• Charity — in tradition, giving charity on this occasion has long been considered especially significant.
• The tradition of lamps and fireworks — the custom of filling the night with light.