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Deepavali, the festival of lights, is held
throughout India but in Kerala, this is celebrated
only by Hindus. It falls on the preceding
day of the New Moon in the Malayalam month
Thulam (October-November) and it commemorates
the destruction of the demon called Narakasura
by Lord Krishna. As Lord Krishna killed Narakasura
on the Chaturdasi day (the fourteenth lunar
day) it is also known as Narakachaturdasi.
Before sunrise, all in the house have their
oil bath and put on new clothes. Sweets are
then served followed by bursting of crackers.
The word 'Deepavali' means an array of lights.
The people of Dwaraka greeted Lord Krishna
with illumination and rejoicing in honour
of his victory over Narakasura. The darkness
of the Chaturdasi night compelled them to
use many lamps on the occasion, and subsequently
the illumination became a part of this celebration.
It is the practice in south India to consume
a preparation of dry ginger and jaggery soon
after the oil bath on the Deepavali day. Dry
ginger and jaggery form the Nivedya (offering)
for Dhanwantari, the great exponent of Ayurveda.
The Dhanwantari Jayanthi falls on the eve
of Deepavali. The separate observance of this
day has come to an end and enjoying the preparation
of dry ginger and jaggery fallen to the succeeding
day namely Deepavali.
Deepavali may have deeper significance than
what is popularly believed. At the time of
the festival the sun is in the house of Thulam
(Libra i.e. the scales) which signifies commerce,
hence the association of Deepavali with merchants
and the Goddess of wealth. The darkness and
light symbolise ignorance and knowledge respectively.
As the light dispels darkness, ignorance is
replaced by knowledge in the tradition of
the prayer in the Upanishad, 'Thamaso ma Jyothirgamaya',
"Carry us from the darkness to light". Some
people say that Deepavali, the festival of
lights, symbolises this prayer. |
