Yesterday was Diwali, the most beautiful and colorful festival of India. And today all the media both print and electronic media of my country are busy spreading the headline “Air Pollution & noise pollution increased In India on Diwali day.” And nothing new with that, every year the shame headline finds it place in all the newspaper front pages and headlines of news channels. Yes it’s a worrying factor, but I only see the happiness, the joy, the togetherness among all the people on that day while celebrating Diwali together. Yes another scientifically proven advantage of celebrating Diwali is that all the mosquitoes & dangerous insects are going to die with the smoke of those burning crackers. Although I know the second reason is not good enough to convince you that we are celebrating Diwali in the right way.
My parents like lots of other grown up people of my country say that, it’s nothing but wastage of money. They wonder what the pleasure young people get by buying these costly fire crackers and burning them with in few hours. But I never make them understand that what if on this day, people light fire on the money, what if they increase the air pollution & noise pollution by bursting the crackers on this day; just see the joy & happiness in our face, just see how this festival making all of us connected & giving a reason to celebrate life. Although I am not celebrating this festival since last few years. But I enjoy seeing the happiness this festival brings on the face of our country’s people.
Diwali (also called as Deepavali) is one of the most important festivals In India. The name Diwali came from Sanskrit word Deepavali which means “row of lamps”. This is also called as “Festival Of Lights”.
How Diwali Celebrated – People Celebrate this festival by lighting the earthen lamps(diya), lighting their home with stunning electric illuminations, performing the puja and bursting crackers.
The lighting of earthen lamps on the moonless Diwali night has significance, which is the end of darkness of “ignorance” and the beginning of light that enlightens all.
Why It is Celebrated-
It is a festival which is celebrated in Indian from ancient times. Lots of people give different reasons for it celebration. I even do not know all of them. Still I am giving you few of those reasons behind its celebration as per my knowledge. Although I do realize that a fool like me has very limited knowledge.
- According to Ramayana(It is one of the two great epics of india)- On this day Lord Ram the king of Ayodhya, after vanquishing Ravana returned to his land with his wife Sita & brother Lakhsman. So the people celebrated this day by lighting Ram’s kingdom Ayodhya with lamps.
- According to Mahabharat (It is the other great epic of the India)- when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling).,the people who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps(diya).
- Hindus celebrate the birth of the goddess Lakshmi and her marriage to Lord Vishnu on Diwali and seek her blessings for the coming year.
- It is believed that Lord Vishnu killed an evil demon king Narakasura, who conquered both earth & heaven on the day before Diwali and rescued many women whom the demon had locked in his palace. So people of both heaven & earth celebrated this day.
- Many Historians say that on this day, 56 BC King Vikramaditya, was crowned and declared to be a king. He was a very famous Hindu king of India, who was famous for his wisdom, bravery and large-heartedness. So the people of his kingdom celebrated this day with lightening the earthen lamps.
Do not think that these much reasons are there behind celebration of Diwali in India. Lots of other reasons are also there which I even do not know. I also do not know which one among them is correct one. But the best thing is that this festival gives reasons to me & lots of other people in my country to celebrate without even knowing the correct reason behind celebration.
Being Arindam.. 
Maxi
November 14, 2012
I so agree with you, Arindam. This is a celebration of the people, being together, a celebration of life. It is important to keep this day alive.
Blessings ~ Maxi
Arindam
November 14, 2012
Thank you Maxi. I hope you are perfectly fine now. Take care.
Christal Guziec
November 14, 2012
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing some of the history and stories behind this celebration. I especially love the idea of “the end of darkness of “ignorance” and the beginning of light that enlightens all.” Be well, Arindam! 🙂
Arindam
November 14, 2012
Hi Christal. Great to see you back after so many month. I was thinking about your reason for absence. I hope everything is fine at your side.
As you mention I too love this idea behind the celebration. No other reason can be more valid for this celebration. 🙂
Madhu
November 14, 2012
Belated Diwali wishes Arindam! Wish you good health and much happiness in the coming year 🙂
Arindam
November 14, 2012
Happy Diwali to you too! 🙂 Wishing all the happiness, peach and good health to you and your family.
Elyse
November 14, 2012
Bringing light out of darkness is always a great reason to celebrate. Beautiful pictures, Arindam!
Arindam
November 14, 2012
Thanks a lot. I had nothing much to do, so thought of capturing the celebration in our locality. 🙂
amira
November 15, 2012
Wish you a happy Diwali. It sure looks like a you guys have a fun time on Diwali.
Arindam
November 15, 2012
Thank you Amira. Happy Diwali to you too! Yes people have fun time during this celebration, but I myself hardly enjoy it any more. It’s just like another day. 🙂
2e0mca
November 15, 2012
Hope you have a great Diwali – we had lots of fireworks here last night and again tonight. My neighbours has lights in their porch too 🙂
Arindam
November 15, 2012
No this time we did not have much fireworks. I hope I will celebrate in a big manner next year with my family and close friends. 🙂
dadirri7
November 15, 2012
martin, are they indian neighbours? how wonderful to celebrate diwali in london!!!
2e0mca
November 15, 2012
Yes Christine, my neighbours are Hindu’s. Madhu always lights the candles each Diwali 🙂
Sunshine
November 15, 2012
Thanks for sharing your knowledge about such a colorful and festive day…anything with fireworks and lighted candles has got to be simply a happy moment in ones life. 🙂
Arindam
November 15, 2012
Yes Sunshine, this festival brings so many happy moments and togetherness in to an Indian’s life. But as you know I am not that intelligent, so i shared whatever little knowledge I have about this festival with you all. I am glad you liked it. 🙂
Sunshine
November 18, 2012
You did great! 😉
renxkyoko
November 15, 2012
In the Philippines, it’s new year’s Eve where people go wild with fireworks . Here in the US, except the 4th of July, which isn’t much , except when we fire up our barbecue pits, haha, Americans aren’t into celebrations like this. It’s another matter if we talk about firepower. LOL
Arindam
November 17, 2012
Ha Ha! 🙂 Ren I think you must give us a glimpse of the new year celebration in Philippines in your blog. I am sure it must be big. Do you celebrate new year in Philippines or in US?
Judy Berman
November 15, 2012
This reason that you gave is the best of all to celebrate Diwali: “The lighting of earthen lamps on the moonless Diwali night has significance, which is the end of darkness of “ignorance” and the beginning of light that enlightens all.”
I hope you enjoyed your festivities on Diwali. (In Florida, it seems we always have fireworks going off. It is beautiful, especially when they are shot off over the water.)
Arindam
November 15, 2012
Yes, Judy the reason behind this celebration spreads a great message among the people.
No I did not celebrate much this time, but I hope next year life is going to give me few other reasons to celebrate this festival. 🙂
elisaruland
November 15, 2012
Happy Diwali, Arindam! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures and the story of your country’s celebration. I wish you much happiness in the coming year!!
Elisa
Arindam
November 15, 2012
Thanks Elisa. It was my pleasure to celebrate this festival of ours with you all. Although there is more more Diwali brings with it to us; but as currently I am not in my home town so could not share them all. I hope next Diwali I can share them with you all.
pattisj
November 15, 2012
Thanks for sharing this tradition with us. You captured some good shots.
Arindam
November 15, 2012
Thank you Patti. 🙂
dadirri7
November 15, 2012
yes, happy diwali arindam, I love your post with fireworks, and such a good explanation of the festival, may you be filled with light and joy, the end of ignorance and the coming of the light is what this earth needs 😀
Arindam
November 15, 2012
Thanks for this beautiful wish, Christine. 🙂 And happy diwali to you too. It’s make us happy that, this festival brings so many colors with it in form of these fire works. 🙂
meganchapple
November 15, 2012
Happy Diwali Arindam and thank you for sharing the story and photos of Diwali.
Arindam
November 15, 2012
Thanks Megan. In one of the above comments one of my blogging friends Martin informed me that, they had great time celebrating Diwali in London. Do Indians at your place too celebrate Diwali?
meganchapple
November 16, 2012
Yes, I’m beginning to hear a lot more about Diwali every year so it’s definitely becoming more celebrated here.
Arindam
November 16, 2012
It’s great Megan. 🙂 I wish one day you too will be part of the celebration. 🙂
Silken Photography
November 15, 2012
Some things are worth more than money, and bringing people together to share happiness must be one of those things!
Arindam
November 15, 2012
I will completely agree with you on this. 🙂 If wastage of money gives so many people a good enough reason to celebrate life; then I believe it’s perfectly fine.
Zephyr
November 15, 2012
But Arindam, the pollution levels hit great levels and hang in the air for days. This year the noise pollution was less but the chemical pollution due to the fireworks was very high. And yes, I belong to your parents’ generation too, but many youngsters today have begun saying no to firecrackers, opting instead to light more lamps.
Snoring Dog Studio
November 15, 2012
I love Zephyr’s idea about the lamps. That would offer the same sort of celebratory feeling, wouldn’t it? And how beautiful that would look! She’s right about the pollution. Not good.
Arindam
November 16, 2012
Yes We too celebrate this festival with lamps and candles, but it looks beautiful. I will make sure next time I am going to give you a glimpse of it, if I can make it to my hometown next time around. 🙂 But firecrackers bring different excitement and fun to this festival. But yes, I too agree that see is completely right about the pollution.
Arindam
November 16, 2012
Yes I agree with you that we can celebrate this festival in other way too. But somehow I know how much it’s going to be difficult for the young people to say no to firecrackers. Although since past 4-5 years I’ve not celebrated this festival with fire crackers. But still I enjoy seeing the smiling, happy and animated faces of those people who enjoy this festival with firecrackers. But yes I do realize the need of the time. So I too hope our next generation will go for a pollution free Diwali. 🙂
Snoring Dog Studio
November 15, 2012
Here in the U.S., we do the Fourth of July with fireworks. It’s once a year and, frankly, if it kills off mosquitos, I say, “Hurrah!” People need to celebrate the things that make us proud, happy and grateful. It’s human nature. Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos and the story.
Arindam
November 16, 2012
Yes in one of the above comment Ren mentioned that you people celebrate Fourth of July with fireworks. I was not aware of this festivals of yours. This whole blogging thing has given a greater view about your festivals, culture and celebration. It’s wonderful that we people does not matter how far we live,what language we speak or what food we eat; we have so many similarities in the way we celebrate, we enjoy and we think.
I am glad you like a glimpse of our culture and tradition, which I’ve shared with this post. 🙂
LuAnn
November 15, 2012
Thanks for the explanation for your holiday Diwali and the lovely photos. It sounds like a great celebration of connectedness by your people. 🙂
Arindam
November 16, 2012
Thank you LuAnn. 🙂 Yes this festival brings togetherness in to our lives. That’s why I love it. 🙂
munchow
November 16, 2012
I agree with you, Arindam, the important thing is for people to have an occasion to celebrate, to have fun and to be together. And, yes, increased pollution is a serious problem which we need to face one way or another, but I don’t think those firecrackers will harm the environment much in the long run. It’s other and more important measures that are needed to be taken.
Arindam
November 17, 2012
Yes, that was actually my point. I believe there are so many other causes which are responsible for pollution which need to be taken care of; but instead of doing so why should stop celebrating one day of the year with fire crackers. And most importantly, this celebration is going on since hundred of years and important part of our culture.
Angelia Sims
November 16, 2012
A brightness in the dark that cheers the heart. What great fun, and a great way to celebrate. What’s a little more pollution? 🙂
Arindam
November 16, 2012
Yes it’s a wonderful time in the year for all of us Indians. But as you say, these days this whole “pollution” stuff is polluting our celebration and festival. 🙂
hemadamani
November 16, 2012
Hey Arindam!! you’ve taken away my post… 🙂 now I’ll have to think of something else to write. An appropriately informative post. I loved my Diwalis as a kid when all we thought about was all the crackers we would buy, or the gifts and new clothes we would get or the goodies mom wold prepare, but now, Diwali is more work than fun. By the time diwali ends i have no energy for anything, not even to write a simple post…But you did it for me 🙂 Happy Diwali 🙂
Arindam
November 17, 2012
Ha Ha! 🙂 I am really sorry if I have taken away your post and in the mean time I am glad that I could write it for you as you were busy. 🙂 Yes I could guess how busy you must be during this festive season of the year. Have a great time. And Belated Happy DIwali! 🙂
rangewriter
November 16, 2012
Let there be light…not just in India, but across the world. What a lovely world it would be if we could really spread enlightenment all around. (And rid ourselves of mosquitoes in the process! 😉 )
Arindam
November 16, 2012
Yes I wish the same. Let there be light across the planet. It would be wonderful that light could bring togetherness, understanding and peace to lives of all the people across the world. 🙂
Ha Ha! 🙂 By doing so we can a chance to live a mosquitoes free world. 🙂
belasbrightideas
November 17, 2012
It’s so interesting how times are changing everywhere. In the US, things are fast paced anyway – have always been, I think. But in Asia, traditions have been so entrenched. I both feel for your longing to make your own generation’s imprint on your world and for your parents’ desire to keep traditions intact. But if we view the universe and all of creation, change is a constant. And so eventually you get your way 😉 Happy Diwali! Enjoy the light, in all its glorious manifestations.
Arindam
November 17, 2012
Happy Diwali, Bela. Yes change is constant. And let me tell you the whole process of celebration has changed to a great extent considering what it was, since our childhood days. The earthen lamps are now less used. People these days give much importance to electric illuminations. But yes, you very rightly pointed out, that there is still so many places in India where things are not fast paced. My own hometown is one of them. People who live there find enough time to celebrate all the festivals come their way. Somehow these are all part of Indian tradition and culture too. And as you can guess, for an Indian both of them hold lots of importance. 🙂
belasbrightideas
November 17, 2012
I would love to be part of such events. In Hawaii, it’s the tradition of hula and song. Which my husband and I both dearly love. The music here opens the heart, as does the dance. I often sit, transfixed, with tears streaming down my face!
Arindam
November 19, 2012
I wish someday you get a chance to experience this event, Bela. I am sure you will like it. And just like you I too love music. But unfortunately, we do not have this trend of watching people performing live at our place. So in that way you people are lucky. 🙂
belasbrightideas
November 19, 2012
Wow, really? That surprises me somehow!
aleafinspringtime
November 17, 2012
Dear Arindam,
I hope I’m in time to still wish you and your family a wonderful Diwali!!! It must have been a wonderful celebration! I have warm memories of Deepavali growing up in Malaysia. We always visited our neighbours and classmates and were treated to the most unforgettable beautiful dishes and desserts!! May the Festival of Lights bring much light, peace, victory and success into your household. Thinking of you and take care my young friend! Sharon
Arindam
November 18, 2012
Yes Sharon, it’s never late to receive good wishes from wonderful people like you. And yes, it’s one of the most colorful festivals in India. I love the togetherness and happiness this festival brings to people’s lives.
I did not knew people in Malaysia, celebrate this festival. It’s wonderful that our culture and traditions are finding their places in different part of world. Thanks for all the wishes, Sharon. I too wish all the good things coming your way. 🙂
justanotherwakeupcall
November 18, 2012
like you, I love diwali Arindam. And though I am quite concerned about the pollution issue an the money wastage that firecrackers bring. I don’t want my children to miss out on the joy they bring too. Our solution is “group firework sessions”. I invite all my kids friends and we burst crackers together. I feel that way we ensure we get more pleasure from less smoke.
Arindam
November 19, 2012
You are a really intelligent person, Sapna. I like your idea a lot. But something like that we do on Dussehra. Where people burst huge effigies of Ravan with fire crackers and all the people go and watch this event. But yes I believe we can incorporate that one in to Diwali.
justanotherwakeupcall
November 21, 2012
true! and thanks 🙂 Finally atleast someone recognizes my intelligence 😉 ha ha !!
island traveler
November 21, 2012
Thanks Bro for sharing the vibrant, fun, festive Diwali festival. It does shine brightly like the awesome fireworks!
Touch2Touch
November 10, 2013
Diwali is a festival of lights and celebration — like Jewish Chanukah, and the lights of Christmas trees, and I’m sure there are other festivals of light-in-darkness. It is a beautiful idea, and I love your explanation about the end of the darkness of ignorance.
I am as old as your parents, but I think my spirit is closer to yours.
Happy Diwali!