Mangalore: Festival of Lights Coming, to Light Up Our Lives
by Suresh Padiyar
Pics: Sphoorty Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Oct 14: 'Diwali,' which is the shortened form of the Sanskrit word, 'Deepavali' meaning an array of lights, is known with different names like Kaumudi Deepam, Dipalika etc., in different states. This is one of the few Hindu festivals that is celebrated across the length and breadth of the country by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and several other communities alike.

The period of the festival differs from place to place, from just three days, to five days as given below. Use of earthen lamps is the unique feature of the festival. Unlike in the past, when traditional, simple lamps made with clay were used to invite Goddess Lakshmi to earth, people now use lamps of different shapes, sizes and forms, with decorative designs, as seen in the picture. Entire families of the potters get engaged in making earthen lamps about a month in advance, to be able to cope up with their demand during Diwali. Many also use candles to light up their homes.

Even though the festival is celebrated on the new moon day of the month, in North India, the festival is celebrated for five continuous days, right from the Ashvija Krishna Trayodashi that falls on October 16 this year. This day is known by the name, 'Dhanteras', on which day, the houses, water vessels etc., are cleaned in the evening, houses are decorated with rangoli and boilers filled with water are decorated with flower garlands and worshipped.

Naraka Chaturdashi, also known as Ashvija Krishna Chaturdashi (October 17), is the day on which demon Narakasura was annihilated by Lord Krishna. On this day, people get up early, apply oil to their bodies and have bath. They then wear new clothes and pray to the God. Sweets are made and distributed.

On Ashvija Krishna Amavasya (October 18), the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Lakshmi,  is worshipped. In the evening, earthen lamps are lit and placed aesthetically outside the doors, windows, compound walls etc. Traders worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day at their establishments. Many follow the practice of beginning the new year accounting from this day by performing puja to their ledgers. In North India, people believe that Lord Rama had reached his kingdom Ayodhya on this day after being 14 years in exile, after killing demon Ravana on Vijayadashami day.

October 19 this year happens to be Bali Padyami day. As per legend, a powerful and popular Asura king named Bali was pushed to the netherworld by Lord Vishnu's incarnation, Vamana, with his feet. People believe that king Bali, whom they adored, visits earth on this day every year, as per a boon granted to him by Lord Vishnu at his request. People decorate their houses with light and in many places, people lay out various dishes in their agricultural fields, for Bali. Farmers also follow the practice of worshipping their cattle, agricultural equipments etc., on this day. Friends and relatives are invited to homes, and sweets are distributed.

Kartika Shukla Dwitiya (October 20) is celebrated as Bhadooj in North India. This is a day on which sisters feed their brothers and get blessings and gifts in return. It is said that Lord Yama, the God of death, was invited by his sister, Goddess Yamuna, for dinner on this day. After having the sumptuous food offered by his younger sister, Lord Yama had said that those brothers who have food on this day at the homes of their sisters, would get his boon for longevity. This provides an occasion for the brothers to meet their married sisters at least once a year.

Diwali celebrations this year around will definitely be a little off-colour, because of the floods in North Karnataka, spiralling prices of essentials, decorative items, flower and crackers etc., that have flooded the markets. Still, this is an opportunity to rekindle the hope that the economic downturn will be a thing of the past, the worst is over for the people of North Karnataka who are reeling under floods and the hope that Diwali this year will usher in an incident-free year for the people of the twin-districts.