Festival of lights’ – Diwali or Deepawali is that time of year when whole country, India is buzzing with spirit and happiness. The Spirit of Diwali is so infectious and the best way to feel is to be in India at that time or week before Diwali. Ram-Lila the stage shows enacting Ramayana actually mark start of Dusherra and Diwali. This glorious occasion of Diwali is not restricted to one day, but goes on to a five-day celebration. Through all these five days, people are seriously in festive mood, there are smiles everywhere, shops are decorated and loaded with things, people start displaying oil lamps or light in and around their houses. Adding to the festivity is the colorful display of lights everywhere in the cities. Like every other festival, Diwali has its long list of Mythological legends and stories. Most Popular Legend of Diwali is Return of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita to Ayodhyaa.
Legends and Stories related to Diwali in Hinduism
Return of Shri Ram to Ayodhya
The most famous legend related to celebrations of Diwali about the prince of Ayodhya Nagri – Lord Shri Ram. The king of Lanka, Ravana {deemed to be a very mean and arrogant ruler}, kidnapped Ram’s wife – Sita from the jungle, where they were staying as per the instructions of his father King Dashratha. In order to free Sita from Ravana, Ram attacks him with help of Wanar Sena. In this war Lord Ram defeats Ravan and frees his beloved wife Sita. To welcome Lord Ram and his wife Sita, people of Ayodhya decorated their homes as well as the city of Ayodhyaa by lighting tiny diyas all over, in order to welcome their beloved prince Shri Ram and Devi Sita. From that day Diwali is always celebrated every year as symbol of Victory of Good over Bad. People share specials sweets and dinner with family and friends.
Incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi
On the auspicious new moon day, which is ‘Amavasyaa’ of the Hindi month of Kartik, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity – Lakshmi was incarnated. She appeared during the churning of the ocean, which is known as ‘Samudra Manthan’, by the demons on one side and ‘Devataas’ (Gods) on the other side. Again this legend symbolizes the importance of Victory of Good over Bad. People worship Goddess Lakshmi, the Lakshmi Pujan is held on Diwali night. It has become a tradition to welcome wealth every year and offer Goddess specials food prepared for Diwali. Also as per spiritual references, on this day “Lakshmi-panchayatan” enters the Universe. Vishnu, Indra, Kubera, Gajendra and Lakshmi are elements of this “panchayatan” (a group of five). The tasks of these elements are:
• Lakshmi: Divine Energy (Shakti) which provides energy to all the above activities.
• Vishnu: Happiness (happiness and satisfaction)
• Kubera: Wealth (generosity; one who shares wealth)
• Indra: Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth)
• Gajendra: Carries the wealth
Lord Krishna Destroyed Demon Narakasur
Other famous story related to Legends and Stories of Diwali is about the demon king Narakasur, who was ruler of Pragjyotishpur, a province in the South of Nepal. After acquiring victory over Lord Indra during a war, Narakasur snatched magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi, who was not only the ruler of Suraloka, but also a relative of Lord Krishna’s wife – Satyabhama. Narakasur also imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of Gods and saints in his harem. With the support of Lord Krishna, Satyabhama defeated Narakasur, got all women freed from his harem and also got the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi back.
The Return of Pandavas
The great Hindu epic ‘Mahabharata’ has another interesting story related to the ‘Kartik Amavasyaa’. According to the story, ‘the Pandavas’, the five brothers Yudhishthhira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahdeva, were sentenced to thirteen years exile as a result of their defeat against ‘the Kauravas’ – Duryodhana and his ninety nine brothers, at the game of dice. Pandavas spent thirteen years in exile and returned to their kingdom on the day of ‘Kartik Amavasyaa’. On their return, the people of their kingdom welcomed them by lighting the earthen lamps all over in their city.
Coronation of King Vikramaditya
Finally last but not least legend or story about Diwali celebrations relates to one of the greatest Hindu King – Vikramaditya. He was coroneted on this great day and the people celebrated this event by lighting tiny earthen ‘diyas or earthern oil lamps ‘.
Jains also have legends related to Diwali
Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara revitalised Jainism religion followed by Jains today. According to history the chief disciple of Mahavira, Ganadhara Gautam Swami also attained complete knowledge (Kevalgyana) on this day, thus making Diwali one of the most important Jain festivals.
Mahavira attained his nirvana at the dawn of the amavasya or new moon. According to the Kalpasutra by Acharya Bhadrabahu, 3rd century BC, many gods were present there, illuminating the darkness. The following night was pitch black without the light of the gods or the moon. Dipavali or Diwali was mentioned in Jain books as the date of the nirvana for Mahavira. In fact, the oldest reference to Diwali is a related word, dipalikaya, which is in Harivamsha-Purana, written by Acharya Jinasena and composed in the Shaka Samvat era in the year 705.
Sikhs have their share of Stories and legends related to Diwali too.
For Sikhs, Diwali is important as they celebrate it with the celebration of Bandi Chhorh Divas or Day of Freedom, celebrating the release from prison of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, and 52 other princes with him, in 1619. The Sikh history tells that the Emperor Jahangir had imprisoned Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 princes. The Emperor was asked to release Guru Hargobind Ji which he agreed to do. However, the Guruji requested that the princes be released too. To which the Emperor agreed, but said only those who could hold onto his cloak tail would be allowed to leave the prison. This was in order to limit the number of prisoners to be released. However, Guru Hargobind Ji got a cloak made with 52 pieces of string and so each prince could hold onto one string and leave prison. Sikhs celebrated the return of their Guru by lighting the Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and this tradition continues even today.
Also another Sikh legend associated with Diwali is the martyrdom of the elderly Sikh scholar and strategist Bhai Mani Singh in 1737. Bhai Mani Singh was the Granthi or we can keeper/reader of Sikh scripture at Harmandir Sahib now popularly known as the Golden Temple. He transcribed the final version of Guru Granth Sahib dictated to him by Guru Gobind Singh in 1704.
Legends and Stories in Buddhism realted to Diwali
Buddhist don’t have any religious reference to Diwali but they celebrate Diwali by chanting mantras and remembering Emperor Ashoka who converted to Buddhism on this day, and therefore Buddhists also know this day or the festival as Ashok Vijayadashami. Their temples and monasteries are well decorated on Diwali day and the Buddha is worshiped with complete rituals and traditions.
These Legends and Stories realted to Diwali do not end here there are many more related to different Indian states and also few other countries with Indian Influence……..
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