Diwali, the history behind the holiday
by Aprajita Chandra — Accedo Delhi
Aprajita Chandra, a Delhi-based member of our superstar HR team shares the history, behind the holiday.
Diwali, the festival of lights is one of the most awaited & widely celebrated festivals in India. The festival marks the beginning of a New Year as per the Hindu calendar. And true to its word, Diwali does not just light up our homes, but our hearts too.
The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali where “Deep”- means lamps/diyas and “avali”- means a row of lights. Therefore, Diwali, literally means an array of lights and this beautiful display is a common sight in most Indian households during this time of the year.
The festival is celebrated for a variety of reasons across different communities, groups, and regions within the country. For instance, in North India, the day marks the return of Hindu King Lord Rama to his kingdom Ayodhya after defeating the evil king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya rejoiced and welcomed their king by lighting diyas in every nook and corner of the city. In the southern part of the country, the day signifies the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura.
Whatever be the reason, the day is ultimately a celebration of good over evil & heralds new, positive beginnings! The lights and the diyas are lit to signify the driving away of darkness and ignorance, as well as awakening of the light within ourselves.
The preparation for the festivals kickstart days before the actual day and for many of us, it marks the annual cleaning drive. It is believed that the Goddess of Wealth & Prosperity — Goddess Lakshmi, who is revered on this day will only bless you if you have a clean and beautifully decorated home. In a way, it’s a great way to get rid of what you don’t need and do a thorough cleaning, both materially and spiritually.
As is the tradition, people decorate their homes with beautiful rangolis, light up diyas/lamps and set off fireworks. Diwali is a perfect time for family gatherings, food and celebrations. People go out to meet friends and relatives; enjoy sumptuous meals, exchange gifts and sweets and spend time with their families.
May millions of lamps illuminate your life with joy, prosperity, health and wealth forever.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Diwali.
