Jaipur : The popular story about the Diwali festival is that the festival is associated with the victorious return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya. But, the scriptures may have a different view on it. There are many traditions and beliefs about the origin of the festival of lights. Each region has a different and interesting story to tell about why Diwali is celebrated.
According to historians, the earliest mention of Diwali is found in Vatsyayana’s Kama Sutra, which is believed to have been composed between the 3rd century BC and 2nd century AD. Vatsyayana has mentioned Yaksha Ratri – the night of the Yakshas, which is celebrated by decorating houses, walls and At other places it was celebrated by lighting lamps in rows. Bonfires were lit amid joy and happiness. Gambling was an important aspect of this festival. This festival was not yet named Diwali. According to mythology, Yakshas are related to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, through Kubera, who was the lord of wealth in the scriptures. Vatsyayana’s description of Diwali was most influential in ancient times.
Kashmir gave name?
There is a different story connecting Lakshmi with Diwali in Kashmir. The Nilmat Purana – composed in Kashmir between 500 AD and 800 AD – first places Goddess Lakshmi at the center of Diwali celebrations. The name of Diwali is taken from Neelmat Purana. Kashmiri scriptures mention a festival called Deepmala, which is also known as Sukhsuptika. It was celebrated on the same night of the lunar calendar on which Diwali is celebrated today.
According to Neelmat Purana, on the new moon night of Kartik month, devotees should worship Goddess Lakshmi by placing earthen lamps at their residence and visiting places. After worship, people should sit and eat food with their family and friends.
Diwali and gambling
There is another scripture that talks about the festival of lights. Aditya Purana also places Lakshmi at the center of Diwali celebrations. But, the game of gambling has also been added to it. The book mentions the story of Lord Shiva, who lost to Parvati the next morning after playing dice all night. Deep worship is also mentioned in Skanda Purana, but Earthen lamps have been said to symbolize the Sun and the Moon. Here Lakshmi is not mentioned at the center of Diwali.
gifts on diwali
Harsha’s famous play, Nagananda – written in the seventh century AD – discusses Deepotsava, which literally means festival of earthen lamps. The play mentions the practice of giving gifts to newly married couples. Interestingly, there is a similar tradition in Tamil Nadu, where Thalai Diwali is celebrated.
Watch: Families of martyrs will light lamps in their memory this Diwali.
Diwali was celebrated as Balirajya in Kerala
In Kerala, the festival of lights was celebrated the night after Diwali, marking the return to earth of the benevolent demon king Mahabali. Now it is celebrated as a 10-day Onam festival.
According to Bhavishyattar Purana and Brahma Vaivarta Purana, King Mahabali was sent away by the Vamana incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The medieval writer Al-Biruni has given detailed descriptions of the rituals, customs and traditions of the Indian people.
In his Tarikh al-Hind he states that Vasudeva’s wife Lakshmi freed Bali (Mahabali) for one day in the year and allowed him to return to earth. Al-Biruni has described this festival as Balirajya.
krishna relation
Another legend associates this festival with Lord Krishna, whose wife Satyabhama killed Narakasura on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi, which falls a day before Diwali. In the western part of the country, this legend is credited with the origin of Diwali.
new year on diwali
For many communities, Diwali marks the beginning of a new year in the Vikram Samvat calendar, which is used to calculate the dates and times of various social rituals and festivals.
It is believed that King Vikramaditya sat on the throne on the day of Diwali. He started a new calendar to celebrate his coronation, which became popular in different parts of the country. It is still in use for religious purposes.
Diwali and Kali Puja
In Bengali tradition, Kali Puja is celebrated on the night of Diwali. Kali is considered one of the two deities of the Aryans – the other being Lord Shiva.
According to a legend, Lord Shiva lay down on the path of Goddess Kali, who was on a rampage to slay demons. When she unknowingly stepped on Shiva’s naked body, she became calm. This festival is celebrated to control ego and other negative tendencies that hinder spiritual progress.
Diwali in Jainism and Sikhism
Diwali also has great importance for the followers of Jain and Sikh religions. According to Jain tradition, Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana on the day of Diwali. Devotees celebrate the occasion by lighting lamps. In 600 AD, Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, was released from fifteen years of imprisonment on the day of Diwali. Sikh devotees celebrated the occasion by lighting earthen lamps in their homes.
