Deepavali – the festival of lights

By Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud
Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha

Festivals contribute to the cultural tapestry of all countries. Each festival brings with it a unique blend of customs, traditions and acts as a harbinger of good-will, peace and fraternity. Centuries ago, Deepavali was celebrated in the confines of the logies and the villages. Our forebears, the indentured immigrants strove to maintain their culture and religion with whatever limited facilities were available in those times. Diyas were lovingly crafted out of mud and the radiance given off from these little lights served as a beacon of hope to them as they toiled under the most horrendous conditions.
Deepavali, which literally means ‘a row of lights’, is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik. That dark night or Amawasya is conducive to the twinkling lights that illuminate every nook and cranny. Worship of the goddess Maha Lakshmi is the main focus of Deepavali.
The aspirant performs Lakshmi puja and seeks her blessing for material and spiritual fulfillment. The festival encourages the participation of the entire family and it has long been the custom in Guyana for everyone in the home to gather in front of their Lakshmi murti at dusk chanting prayers and mantras before emerging to light their first diya.
Collectively devotees attend their mandirs and petition the mother with one voice – TAMASO MAA JYOTIR GAMAYA, lead us from the darkness and the depths of despair and ignorance to the path of light and truth. Prior to the day itself, the home and mandirs would be thoroughly cleaned and decorated in preparation for the Goddess of light, Maha Lakshmi.
The ladies of the home would in recent times design elaborate rangolis (coloured tracings on the floor) and be absorbed in making sweet delicacies for family and friends.
At this time, the household would be sanctified as vegetarian fasts are the norm. Hindus would also abstain from alcohol and other negative things. Deepavali is preceded by Triodasi and Chaturdasi.
On Triodasi, a yama diya is lit with prayers for longevity. Three to five diyas are lit on Chaturdasi or Choti Diwali in remembrance of the defeat of Narkasur at the hands of Lord Krishna. This day is special for women as they propitiate Lord Krishna who had released many women who were held captive by the despot Narkasur. It was on this day that lord Krishna re-established the principle so beautifully composed in the Manu Smriti – Where women are honoured there the gods dwell.
Goverdhan Puja is performed the day after Diwali reminiscent of the time when Krishna Bhagwan held aloft the GoverdhanMountain to protect the villagers from the rains and thunderstorms. The five-day observance concludes with Bhai Dhuj, a day for the renewal of filial ties between brother and sister.
The many occurrences associated with the festival assure that despotism and injustice had to be crushed to allow the emergence of Ram Rajya. The vanity and haughtiness of king Bali or the arrogance and autocracy of Narkasur must not again unfold.
Over the last three decades the festival has gained prominence, and features on Guyana’s list of national holidays.
Deepavali has emerged from homes and mandirs and presently many commercial entities and public buildings are decorated with lights to welcome the goddess Maha Lakshmi. The trend of using electric lights has increased and more persons are supplementing their diyas with these, creating an aesthetically appealing look that has passersby gasping in awe. Diyas are hardly made by individual householders, but those professionally made from clay can be purchased from stores and vendors.
Novel innovations to the once simple mud diya filled with ghee and lit with a cotton wick include wax filled diyas and electrical diyas.
The humble diya has certainly withstood generations and in spite of all the new-fangled techniques, it still reminds Hindus to rekindle that inner light within and to extend to all those he or she comes into contact with.
The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Countrywide Motorcades have become synonymous with the celebration of Deepavali.
Thousands of Guyanese of every stratum of society and cultural belief throng the roads to witness the processions of beautifully decorated and illuminated vehicles depicting the theme of Deepavali.
In the olden days it wasn’t unusual to see horse-drawn carts gaily bedecked for the motorcade. With the advent of advanced technology the vehicles ranging from low-bed trucks to sleek cars are carefully designed with sophisticated lights and mobile parts. Guyanese who have migrated overseas have attempted to hold motorcades with some success, but the Dharmic Sabha’s motorcades are still outstanding and are seen as major tourist attractions.
Deepavali in its many dimensions addresses questions which are not only philosophical, but also economical and social in orientation.
Deepavali is thus all embracing in its significance. Socially, not only the whole family is involved in its observance, but rather the entire community participates in a spirit of visible cordiality and joy.
Deepavali threatens darkness in all its dimensions and influences the emergence of an illuminated society in which there exist understanding, tolerance, love and cordiality.
Societies are built and sustained on foundations such as these. Festivals like Deepavali serve to rekindle hopes and expectation, and influence society in a positive direction. Deepavali revitalises and renews the spirit of optimism from which a new beginning can be constructed, based on equity and noble intentions.

Diwali traditions

As we all celebrate Diwali by lighting of diyas in our home. It is a tradition that is popular in most regions of the country. Even today in this modern world it projects the rich and glorious past of our country and teaches us to uphold the true values of life.
Every festival has such glorious and rich traditions that are portrayed through its celebration.
Rangoli
Diwali is associated with many customs and traditions. Like the tradition of rangoli, burning crackers, lights, Diwali pujas and Diwali gifts.
Rangoli is a traditional Hindu folk art; it is a kind of design generally created on a floor on special festive occasions.
The origin of this art can be traced to the Puranas (works on Hindu mythology). It is said that the tradition of rangoli originated in Maharashtra and slowly disseminated to other parts of India. It gives a colorful look to the celebrations.
Fireworks
The festival of Diwali reminds us of the brilliant display of colorful fireworks which explode in the dark nights. The cities are famous for these. It is a unique part of Diwali celebrations. Now it has become an inseparable part of Diwali festivals.
Gifts
The exchanging of gifts is another unique feature of Diwali celebrations. Diwali encourages people to gather and socialise with friends and family, exchange gifts and share home-cooked meals.
Lighting of Diyas
Lighting of diyas is also an important part of Diwali celebrations. Lighting diyas brings divine brightness and joy with the hope of finding light in darkness, achieving knowledge where there is ignorance and spreading love where there is hatred. It also symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Diwali is also associated with pujas of different Gods. There are many legends and religious accounts to it.

Legend of Diwali

Importance of Dussehra
All that is good in mankind is concentrated in the deeds of the God- king Ram, the ruler of Ayodhya. Lord Rama, the moral man with his moral way of life is the reason for celebrating India’s popular festival of Dussehra and Diwali. Diwali comes exactly 20 days after Dussehra on Amavas (new moon), during fortnight of kartik, sometime in October or November.
On the day of Dussehra, Ram killed the great demon Ravan, who had abducted Ram’s wife Sita to his kingdom of Lanka. Ram, along with his brother Lakshman and devoted follower Hanuman, and an army of monkeys fought a great battle to rescue his lovely wife Sita. The war against Ravan lasted for ten days. Sita had been returned to her husband, Ram, and they now make their way to Ayodhya in triumph and glory. Thus, it is on the Diwali day that Lord Ram, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the Treta Yug, returned to his capital Ayodhya after the exile of fourteen years.
Consequently, to commemorate the return of Ram, Sita and Lakshman to Ayodhya, people celebrate Diwali with the bursting of crackers and by lighting up their houses with earthen diyas. This grand style of celebration has continued, year after year. To this day, the whole of Ramayana is enacted in dramas staged in huge pandals and maidans, in cities, towns and villages, on the occasion of Dussehra and Diwali.

Rama return to Ayodhya
Rama, is the ancient idol of the heroic ages, the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king. After ten days of fierce war with Ravana, the victorious Rama, Laxmana and Sita prepared to return to Ayodhya. There were joyous shouts of Victory to Rama, Veer Hanuman ki Jai – Victory to Hanuman.
Gods from the Heaven poured flowers and garlands to celebrate and show their pleasure.

Celebration in Ayodhya
Here in Ayodhya, Bharata, Rama’s beloved brother, eagerly waited for the arrival of Rama, Laxmana and Sita. He had counted every day of those fourteen years that Rama had to suffer in forest as a result of his mother’s folly. He had ruled as the representative Rama, living like a monk – sanyasi. Rama’s wooden shoes adored the throne during his absence.
Bharata encouraged people of Ayodhya to celebrate the return of Rama with pomp and show. Actually there was no need to pass any order. The whole of Ayodhya was eager to welcome her heroes. The entire city was decorated with flowers and garlands.  Perfumes and scent filled the air. Every street was cleaned and watered, and decorated with hand-painted colorful designs.

Brothers Meet
There was a mad rush to see Rama first. Bharata and Rama hugged each other, tears flowing down their eyes.
Rama inquired about the wellbeing of Kaikeyi first, then about his mother Kaushalya and Sumitra. Soon, Rama was given his due honour as King of Ayodhya. Formal sacrificial ceremony was performed with gaiety and pomp and Rama ruled Ayodhya wisely. Everyone, including animals and trees was happy and contented.