The significance of Diwali

The significance of Diwali cannot be explained in a few words as the charisma of this great festival is so much that you need to feel it from the deepest chords of your heart. No words or Diwali pictures can explain to you the real significance of Diwali in the lives of hundreds and thousands of people residing all over the world, who celebrate this festival with much fervor and enthusiasm. Also known by the names of 'Deepavali' and 'Festival of Lights', the festival of Diwali is celebrated not only in India but also in other parts of the world like Singapore, Thailand and many more places, which celebrate it according to their traditions and customs.

The last day of the last month of lunar calendar is reserved for the auspicious day of Diwali. Mainly the celebrations of Diwali go on for five days, and each day holds its own importance, with many legends associated with each day. The five days of Diwali celebrations are Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Diwali, Padwa and Govardhan Puja and Bhaiya Dooj.
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There are many legends associated with Diwali as mentioned in the books talking about the history of Diwali but the most famous of them is the legend of Lord Ram. This legend revolves around Lord Ram who was sent to exile for fourteen years by his stepmother. Lord Ram was not alone in this exile as he was accompanied by his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshman. During the exile Sita was kidnapped by the demon Ravan who forcibly took Sita to his kingdom in Sri Lanka. Lord Ram fought a fierce war with Ravan in which he took the help of monkey king Sugvir and the monkey God Hanuman and many other monkeys. Lord Ram was victorious in the war and he freed his wife Sita from Ravan's captivity. After winning the war Lord Ram came back to his kingdom in Ayodhya along with Sita and Lakshman and since then the day of his come back came to be celebrated as the day of Diwali in India in order to commemorate Lord Ram.

Another legend associated with celebrations of Diwali in India and more famous in Maharashtra and Mysore is of the legendary king Bali who was immensely popular for his generosity. However the success of king Bali became an issue of fear for the gods who prayed to Lord Vishnu for destroying king Bali. Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of a dwarf Brahmin and asked king Bali for as much land as he would be able to cover with his three steps. Looking at the stature of the Brahmin the king Bali readily agreed. At this Lord Vishnu took the form of a large giant and covered the whole of earth and heaven with his two foot steps. On asking for the place of keeping his third step, king Bali happily placed his head under the footstep of the Lord who pushed him into the underworld. But being pleased with his generosity Lord Vishnu granted him a boon of being able to visit his kingdom once a year. According to a common belief it is during the celebrations of Diwali only when king Bali comes on earth to visit his kingdom.

Courtesy : Diwali Mela

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