Deepavali is a holiday that represents awareness of one's inner light, and it has profound spiritual significance. It is, in a sense, a celebration of the realization and power of the Inner Light. The literal meaning of Deepavali is “a row or array of lights.” Even though it is the darkest night of the darkest season, Kartika Masa, which falls between October and November, is celebrated on the thirteenth and fourteenth day. It is a celebration of light. Like all Indian festivals, the Festival of Deepavali is more than just lighting diyas, dressing up, exchanging candies, and popping crackers.
The sloka “Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya,” which translates to “Lead me from darkness to light,” contains the spirit of Diwali. To banish misery, poverty, and illness in a similar manner, we must ignite the lamps of happiness, prosperity, and wisdom.
According to the Vedanta, every pious Hindu must smother ignorance, light the wick of Truth, and fill his heart with love. It goes on to say that, just as a single Diya can light up many other Diyas, so too can we light up countless hearts. One of the Diwali stories states that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura in order to rescue the Gopikas. This suggests that we must battle the bad or demonic forces within ourselves by choosing the morally upright path.
The Diwali celebration serves as a reminder to all of us that life is much more than just a journey and that we are always searching for the truth and wisdom.
The stories surrounding Diwali also serve to emphasize the Vedas' philosophical veracity. The Diwali Festival is a mix of spirituality, religion, culture, and social ideals that unites people.
The Festival of Lights is observed in Northern India to commemorate the return of Lord Ram, Seeta, and brother Lakshman to Ayodhya following a 14-year banishment. In contrast, it represents Lord Krishna's triumph over the monster Narakasura in South India. In the end, both serve as a reminder of the need to oppose evil forces and bolster heavenly powers.
In Western India, the story of Diwali is linked to the day that Lord Vishnu, in his fifth incarnation as Vamana, freed Lakshmi from King Bali's jail. This is an additional justification for worship.
This is an additional justification for Goddess Lakshmi's adoration and invocation on Diwali.
According to a narrative found in the epic Mahabharata, the Pancha Pandavas returned from their 12-year exile under the leadership of Karthik Amavasya. It is reported that hundreds of earthen lamps were lit and candies were distributed as part of the celebration of the day by those who cherished the Pandavas.
It is also historical—and not just mythological—that the greatest Hindu king, Vikramaditya, was crowned on the day of Diwali, according to history.
Jains also attach significant significance to the Diwali Festival because they believe it was on this day that Lord Mahaveera achieved Nirvana, or eternal pleasure.
Diwali is celebrated by the Sikhs for a similar reason. According to history, it was on this fortunate day that the Sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind, was released from the Mughal Emperor Jahangir's captivity. In observance of the laying of the cornerstone for the Golden Temple in 1577, Sikhs also celebrate Diwali.
Sweet Temptations: Diwali is a festival during which we are constantly tempted by sweets. If any holiday can be said to boast an abundance of sweets, it is definitely Deepavali, which would be incomplete without them. Sweet boxes are kindly given and received among friends and family, promoting peaceful cohabitation.
