The Significance of Diwali in Hinduism
Diwali, or Deepavali, is one of the biggest and most important of all Hindu festivals. It is celebrated with grandeur, joy and enthusiasm throughout India and in the Hindu diaspora worldwide. But for the Hindus, this annual event carries much deeper significance than just an occasion for fireworks, gift-giving and reunions. Diwali is held in commemoration of the return of Lord Rama, who is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Sita to their kingdom in Ayodhya. This event is thus associated with the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, making Diwali a festival of light in several ways.
Hindu scripture The Ramayana tells the story of Lord Rama and his banishment, during which he spent fourteen years in exile during which he encountered many trials and tribulations. When Rama returns home, the entire kingdom of Ayodhya erupts into celebrations, which includes the lighting of lamps in his honor. Diwali is the celebration of this return, and the symbolism of light coming forth from the darkness is deeply meaningful to Hindus.
Apart from the legend of Rama returning to his kingdom after defeating Ravana, Diwali also marks the coronation of Lord Krishna, an eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The story goes that the people of Dwaraka and all of Lord Krishna’s companions lit thousands of lamps over the city in order to illuminate the coronation procession, and this vibrant event has since become a major part of the Diwali festivities.
In addition, Diwali has deep spiritual significance for Hindus. Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu faith and marks the start of the new year. Diwali is believed to bring divine light and knowledge into the world, symbolizing the power of light over darkness and suffering. On this day, many Hindus pay homage to Goddess Laxmi and worship her with prayers and offerings of sweets, flowers and lights.
Throughout India, Diwali is celebrated with fireworks displays, rangolis, lit lamps and candles, as well as exchanging of gifts among family and friends. Hindus celebrate this festival with great religious fervour and belief that Goddess Laxmi will bring fortune and prosperity to the family and home. Hindus also celebrate Diwali as a festival of religious renewal, letting go of all the sin and negative energy of the past year and start the new year with a fresh slate.
Overall, Diwali is a festival of many symbols and different meanings. Its significance to Hinduism is deeply spiritual, reflecting the relationships within the faith and between humans and divinity. Diwali marks the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, providing a reaffirmation of faith and hope.
Different Practices Associated with Diwali
One of the key Hindu festivals, Diwali is celebrated with a lot of grandeur and fanfare. Diwali has many rituals and traditions accompanied by unique customs and practices. A significant part of the event includes Mahalakshmi Puja, observed on the new moon day of the Kartik month. In this puja, Goddess Lakshmi is invoked and worshipped for material and spiritual prosperity.
Diwali is also the traditional day for donating to charity. People observe this day by donating clothes, money and food for those in need and worshiping Goddess Lakshmi for abundance. Gift-giving among family and friends is a significant part of the Diwali celebrations. People exchange gifts with each other as a symbol of love, appreciation and goodwill. Traditional Indian sweets are also exchanged as part of the Diwali celebrations.
Ganesha Puja is also another important ritual conducted on Diwali. People worshiop Lord Ganesha, also known as the remover of obstacles, to seek his blessings and protection in their lives. Diwali is also a time for friends and family reunion, and people often pay visits to their relatives and loved ones.
On Diwali, it is traditional to shop for new clothing and jewellery, as this signifies good luck. Celebration of new beginnings is a central part of the Diwali festivities and so, people often invest in new furniture for their home and start new projects. Firecrackers and sparklers are also very popular during Diwali and are set up in honour of the return of Lord Rama. People light candles and diyas and distributions sweets and savouries to their neighbours and friends in celebration of Diwali.
Since ancient times, Diwali has been celebrated with immense fanfare, with friends and family coming together for the festivities. Despite the diverse ways and regions in which it is celebrated, Diwali always carries the same symbolic meaning of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness.
Observance of Diwali Around the World
Diwali has historically been celebrated in India and primarily by Hindus. However, due to the presence of significant Hindu diasporas around the world, the festival has spread from its homeland of India, and has been embraced by many other religions, making it a global event. Several countries, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, celebrate some form of Diwali. Besides the celebration of lights, there is the traditional exchange of sweets, gifts and visits to temples and friends and family.
The five-day Hindu festival, Diwali and its celebration have also been embraced by cultures outside of India. In China, the Hindu festival and its customs are celebrated by an increasing number of people since 2000. In Nepal, Diwali is also celebrated with fervor and deep religious reverence. In Thailand and Cambodia, the same observance is known as Loi Krathong, embraced by both Buddhists and Hindus. Various countries in Southeast Asia also engage in the celebration of Diwali on a relatively small scale.
In the Caribbean, Diwali is celebrated by many of the Indians that live there, and is therefore popularly known as the ‘festival of lights’. Impressively, the day before Diwali is also observed by many Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname, who host Diwali Nagar for the whole day, comprising of cultural performances and Diwali inspired entertainment. Even in countries such as Canada, the USA, the UK, Mauritius, Fiji and certain African countries, Diwali is celebrated.
In the UK, Diwali is celebrated through traditional Hindu customs, such as lighting special Diwali diyas and drawing rangoli artwork in the streets and in Hindu temples. It is celebrated in a similar manner to India, with people exchanging gifts, wearing traditional clothing and eating Diwali sweets. In the United States, Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm, with many people lighting oil lamps, stringing up electric lights, wearing new clothes and exchanging greetings.
Diwali is one of the most significant and joyous festivals of all Hindu festivals. Regardless of where it is celebrated, it is a significant event for Hindus, enriching and honoring their faith, that of enlightenment and transcending the fear of the unknown with veneration and courage.
Environmental Impact of Diwali Celebrations
Although Diwali brings joy and good fortune to many Hindu households, one cannot ignore the deep and pressing environmental consequences that come with it. Diwali is celebrated by bursting firecrackers – a tradition that comes at a huge cost to the atmosphere. Bursting firecrackers produces copious amounts of pollution in the form of smoke and noise, which not only has a bad impact on the environment but also on the health of the people present in the vicinity.
Air pollution caused by the bursting of firecrackers leads to respiratory ailments and other harmful health effects caused by airborne particles and gases that can have a potentially long term effect on human health. It also causes a drastic rise in the noise level, leading to stress, disruption of sleep and hearing problems. A study revealed that noise levels of firecrackers can reach as high as 125 decibels which is higher than the noise levels of a jet engine.
One of the most ill-effects of Diwali celebrations is the sheer amount of waste generated from burning sparklers, crackers and other forms of firework. This kind of garbage is non-biodegradable and contains toxic and non-toxic substances. The toxins and pollutants in the air can be inhaled by humans and are particularly hazardous for children, pregnant women and the elderly.
The best way to lessen the environmental impact of Diwali is to reduce the burning of firecrackers and garish decorations. People could consider using eco-friendly alternatives such as simple diyas, candles and decorations made of natural materials that are not harmful to the environment. Hindu temples should look at ways to switch to vegan-friendly and eco-conscious sweets and snacks.
By embracing more eco-friendly practices during Diwali, we can lessen the effect of Diwali pollution and ensure that the festival is celebrated in a responsible way.
Ways to Celebrate Diwali Responsibly
Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm and grandeur, but it is important to spread awareness about the ways to celebrate Diwali responsibly so that it does not become a bane for the society and the environment. People should make an active effort to celebrate Diwali sustainably and responsibly in a way that does not put a strain on the environment and that is respectful of different religions and cultures.
One of the most effective ways to make Diwali more sustainable and responsible is to resist the use of environmentally destructive firecrackers. It would be better to use only eco-friendly or low noise crackers that are free from harmful chemicals. Hindu temples and households could opt for electric diyas and lights instead of burning traditional oil diyas and sparklers.
Another way to make Diwali celebrations eco-friendly is to reduce wastage by exchanging sustainable gifts and avoiding single-use packaging that comes with gift items. It is also important to be conscious about food wastage and refrain from over-purchasing. Diwali decorations should preferably be made from reused, recyclable and compostable materials instead of plastics.
A lot of thoughtful planning and awareness is necessary to ensure that Diwali is celebrated in an eco-friendly way. Celebrations should be mindful, safe and responsible with least harm to the environment. Diwali is a festival of new beginnings and a sacred time of reflection and inner peace. Let’s not forget its true spirit and aim to lessen the environmental impact of Diwali.
Conclusion
Diwali is one of the most revered and celebrated festivals in the Hindu religion, with great religious and cultural significance. Apart from the mythological legends, Diwali also carries strong spiritual meaning for Hindus, symbolizing the
