A Row Of Lights

Published October 2008


Monday October 27th marked quite possibly the largest Indian festival celebrated across the board; The Festival Of Lights. Diwali or Deepavali as it is more popularly known here in Malaysia, signifies different things for the wide range of Indians who observe it. On this day a large number of Indian household will have lit candles and diyas (clay lamp) in and around their homes.

Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Nepali Buddhists in particular are the main religious groups for whom Deepavali holds special significance. For our Hindu friends, this day marks the battle and subsequent triumph of Lord Krishna over the evil demon Narakasura, exemplifying that age-old adage of good toppling evil. Another legend of note is Lord Vishnu's defeat over King Bali who was banished to the underworld to pay for his misdeeds.  

Deepavali represents the return of King Rama, the King of Ayodha, after a fourteen year exile in battle in which he destroyed the demon king Ravana. Upon hearing of his return loyal subjects lit oil lamps to light the way for the return of their king as he traveled from South India back to his home in North India. The lighting of these lamps (deepa) in a row (avali) gives us the name Deepavali, which when translated into Hindi becomes Diwali. Both terms are perfectly acceptable and are merely a geographical indication of the origin of the speaker, nothing more. The journey of King Rama back to his kingdom could also explain why in certain parts of South India, Deepavali is celebrated one day earlier compared to North India.

Sikhs consider Diwali to be a very important religious holiday as it was on this day in 1577 that the first stone of the Golden Temple, the bastion of the Sikh religion, was laid. Diwali was also the day that Guru Hargobind and 52 Hindu Kings were freed from political imprisonment on October 15th 1619. To give thanks for their release devotees lit oil lamps in the city of Amritsar to honor and welcome the Guru home.

Jains too consider Deepavali as their holiest of festivals as it was on this same day that their Lord Mahavira achieved Nirvana, the highest attainable level of enlightenment.

Indians, regardless of religion or faith, acknowledge Deepavali to be their main festival and it is one that is celebrated with equal pomp and circumstance. And unlike other fixed-dated religious holidays such as Christmas, Deepavali will always fall on the first day of the lunar month of Kartika which is usually in either October or November.

It would be inaccurate to state that there are concrete practices and habits to celebrate Deepavali as some begin religious preparations up to three weeks prior. It is however safe to say that a large majority will make their way to their respective temples and places of worship early in the morning after a traditional oil bath. New clothes and bright colors are the norm with the exception of black which is deemed to be inauspicious. A festive mood is a must with family, friends and food. Indian sweets such as ladoo and barfi are prevalent as are other delicacies associated with this occasion.

Most Hindus will usually observe the four to six day Deepavali festival, each day representing a different tale or legend, culminating again in the defeat of the bad by the good and highlighting the positiveness brought by illumination into hearts and homes signified by a small oil lamp.
Certain faiths like Jainism however mark Deepavali through fasting and meditation, taking a more restrained and ascetic approach to an otherwise boisterous and bright celebration.

Deepavali is celebrated the world over given the vast migration of Indians. Due to this reason several countries have gazetted Deepavali as an official public holiday in their respective calendars.

It is safe to say that Deepavali or Diwali holds true to the simplicity of good versus bad. A reminder, irrespective whether it be fact or fable, that light eventually vanquishes darkness. An amazing lesson packed to the brim with rich history, signified by the humble act of lighting a small clay diya.