Rituals
Diwali celebrates the win of light over darkness and is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism. This festival is celebrated for five consecutive days and each day has its own rituals. The rituals for Diwali include decorating and illuminating homes, buying new clothes and jewelry, preparing sweets, participating in mass puja, lighting firecrackers and celebrating with family gatherings.
On the first day, known as Dhanteras, people clean and decorate the main entrance and walls of the house. They worship the goddess of wealth, Goddess Laxmi, and offer prayers for prosperity. The second day is called Naraka Chaturdashi, where people are said to take a bath with ubtan, an aromatic oil mix and worship Lord Krishna. The third day is Diwali, meaning ‘Festival of Lights’. On this day, Indian households are illuminated with oil lamps, fairy lights and candles in the evening. Firecrackers are also lit, exchanging of gifts amongst family and friends and worship of the Goddess of Wealth, Laxmi, take place.
The fourth day, Govardhan Puja, is a celebration of the Hindu god, Govardhan’s victory over the demon Indra. On this day people prepare a mountain of cow dung and offer prayers to Govardhan. The fifth day of Diwali, known as Bhaiya Dooj, celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters apply tika on the brothers’ forehead and pray for their safety, while the brothers present their sisters with gifts. All the days of the festival are an important part of the Hindu culture and signify strength of the spirit.
Symbolism
For Hindus, Diwali is more than just a festival that focuses on celebrating rituals. It is a festival full of joy and is built around strong symbolism. It has many profound spiritual meanings and refers to the victory of inner light over spiritual darkness. It is a reminder to believe in the inner power to spread light and love, overcome fear and doubt and embrace life’s opportunities.
The festival is a celebration of renewable energy and highlights the importance of values such as inner light, self-reflection, hope, and perseverance. The ceremony of lighting lamps and candles during the festival subtly signals that truth will eventually prevail over darkness. Diwali is also a symbol of the celebration of emotions, the conquering of fear and the importance of spreading love and kindness.
The exchange of sweets and gifts during the festival reflects the idea of community coming together and expressing their love and joy while honoring each other’s well-being and prosperity. The ritual of making and sharing food amidst family gatherings also depicts the belief of a bright and prosperous future.
Economic Benefits
Diwali is celebrated across India, and it has a significant impact on the country’s economy. People buy new clothes, gold and sweets for the festival, which boosts the market for small retailers and manufacturers. Additionally, traders make use of Diwali to buy gold and stock up goods for the year ahead. Manufacturers have a high demand for firecrackers, Diwali cards, and decorations, whereas farmers see an increase in the demand for flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
Families also purchase watches, gadgets, and home appliances such as refrigerators, ACs, fans and televisions, leading to an overall increase in the economic activity during this festive season. The festivities also make way for employment opportunities, resulting in significant income-generation. All these activities add to the growth of the country’s economy while also allowing people to share their joy and prosperity with others.
Eco-Friendly Celebrations
Given the environmental impacts of air and sound pollution, most of the states in India now encourage people to celebrate Diwali in an eco-friendly manner. Most people have started celebrating the festival by opting for lights instead of firecrackers, by planting trees and saplings, and by exchanging eco-friendly gifts.
A lot of people take part in cleanliness campaigns and organize beach clean-up drives to make the environment pollution free. Moreover, in order to save electricity, people are encouraged to use LED lights and solar lamps for Diwali decorations. This has certainly helped in minimizing the pollution and maintaining ecological balance during the Diwali celebrations.
Technology
The advent of digital technology has significantly changed the way people celebrate Diwali. Social distancing due to the pandemic has led to a shift to digital media. People now make use of digital platforms to exchange virtual gifts, wishing one another over video calls or sending them Diwali cards via email. Smartphone apps have helped the youth to connect with their family, friends and colleagues on Diwali.
On the other hand, online stores are offering attractive discounts on apparel, electronics, jewelry, and sweets. Thanks to home delivery, people no longer need to worry about going out to buy things during the festival. Virtual Diwali parties and video gaming tournaments are being organized, allowing people to stay connected while being in the safety of their homes.
Impact of the Pandemic
The pandemic has forced people to find new ways of celebrating Diwali this year. Lockdown and social distancing have made it difficult to celebrate with family and friends. Air pollution has also been a major concern as the crackers smoked out the city and created hazardous air quality. Hence, the government has imposed restrictions on the use of firecrackers and is urging people to celebrate in an eco-friendly and safe way.
Due to the current situation, people are likely to cut down their expenses and only buy the essential items needed for the Diwali celebrations. They are bringing small lamps, sweets and firecrackers for the festive occasions in order to stay safe and healthy. Authorities are also encouraging people to plant trees and saplings in order to promote sustainability and reduce pollution.
Future
Despite the pandemic, Diwali continues to bring joy to the people and offers an opportunity to share love, kindness, and gratitude. It is a reminder of the collective strength, courage and perseverance that help us succeed in life. In the future, more and more people will surely prefer to celebrate this festival in an eco-friendly manner, minimizing air and sound pollution.
Diwali will continue to be a celebration of joy, faith, and humanity while promoting community bonding and eco-friendliness. Innovative ideas, unique traditions and generation of new employment opportunities will surely ignite positive changes in the way Diwali is celebrated in the coming years.
