Diwali- A festival of Lights
Also called Dipavali – meaning a row of lamps is one of the biggest festivals of India dating back to thousands of years back into history. There are a number of reasons why this festival is celebrated or how it came into being. One story is that, when Lord Rama came back to Ayodhya from his exile in forest and after battle and killing Ravana, the people of Ayodhya were so happy that all of them decorated their houses with rows of lamps.
There is also the pastime of Lord Krishna killing Narakasura or Bhanasura.It is said that Narakasura was not a demon by birth and in fact he was born to Bhumidevi – The goddess of earth. But, because of bad association he developed all these bad qualities like Covetousness, lust etc. and abducted and imprisoned 16000 queens from all over the world. Finally, he had his death in the hands of Lord Krishna (Satyabhama).To commemorate this victory over evil, people of Dwaraka celebrated by lighting lamps in their houses.
It is also said that during this day, Goddesses Lakshmi appeared from the Churning of Ocean for Nectar by Demigods and demons. That’s why people worship Lakshmi during Diwali. It is also said that during this time, the Supreme Lord incarnated as Vamana Dev and approached Bali Maharaj for three steps of land. With one step he covered the earth, second step the whole universe and the third step he put it on the head of Bali because, that was only place that the king could give. Thus, Lord Vamanadev took all the riches of Bali and awarded the heavenly kingdom back to King Indra. Of course, Lord appreciated the surrender of Bali Maharaj and giving up of all his riches to the Lord, because he promised so to the Lord and awarded his a supremely opulent place in lower planetary system known as sutala.
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| Diwali – Kids and Sparklers |
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| Diwali – Kids and Sparklers |
There is a great significance of lighting lamps. Think about this, imagine there is a dark place say inside a mountain cave, where no one entered and there is darkness for thousands of years. And, suppose someone one goes there and lights a lamp. The darkness will not start protesting saying, “Wait Mr Light, I have been living here since thousands of years and you cannot just send me of like that. The darkness will leave immediately, without a single word. Now, how much darkness is dissipated depends on how much light the person made in the dark cave.Similarly, Diwali is a time where we need to fill our heart’s which are like dark caves, with the light of Goodness by inviting the Supreme Lord to enter our hearts and then, the darkness cannot stay.
Let there be peace and prosperity in the world.
Let there be victory for the good over evil.
Let all the people and the living beings of the world are happy.
Wish you all a Happy Diwali – which is not about simply lighting up candles, lamps, fire crackers, sparklers and sweets but, by welcoming Lord Rama and Lord Krishna by imbibing all the good qualities in our heart.
