DIWALI – A MULTICULTURAL AND MULTIETHNIC FESTIVAL
A much awaited festival celebrated across the length and breadth of the Nation with pomp and fervour is marked by a 5 day celebration starting with Dhanteras (beginning of new financial year) and ending with Bhai Doojh (love and bond of brothers and sisters) with the climax occurring on 3rdday (main Diwali). It is one of those Indian festivals that unifies different religions, regions and cultures altogether. The festival is of importance not only in Hinduism but finds significance in Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism as well. Although there are many anecdotes mentioned in literature like return of Pandavas, birthday/ marriage of Lord Lakshmi, victory of Kali and Lord Krishna over demons etc to ascertain the reason for celebration, yet the main reason among Hindus remains the homecoming of Lord Rama after defeating Ravana. The Jain’s commemorate festival as the day when Mahavira attained Nirvana/ enlightenment and the Buddhists celebrate Diwali as the day when Emperor Ashoka converted himself to Buddhism. The Sikhs celebrate it to remember home coming of Guru Har Gobind Ji from the prison of Emperor Jahangir along with other Hindu Gurus.
Not only in India but in various other parts of world as well it is celebrated as the festival of prosperity, wisdom, lights and is often cited as “Indian’s Christmas”. The celebrations of the festival starts with cleaning of houses, work places and later decorating them with lamps, lights, flowers and rangoli. The lightening of Diyas and/or earthen lamps brightens up the entire atmosphere, lifts up the spirits, and symbolises the success of good over evil, triumph of light over darkness and hope over despair. The air all around is sanctified with divine chants and utmost fragrance that awakens all the senses and acts as a vehicle of spiritual connection between the creator and his creation. May this “Festival of Lights’ lighten up this spirit in each one of us and bring bright sparkles of materialistic as well as spiritual success, peace and prosperity in every household so that in the years to come we all enjoy and cherish the real meaning of humanity.
WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY DIWALI
Dr. Pawan Suri
Director (Cardiology) G-Health, Punjab
Global Hospital, Jalandhar, Punjab
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