Diwali - Festival of Lights

Friday was Diwali. And the celebrations go on. Today is Bhau Bheej, a day when brothers visit their sisters and sisters give them gifts. I've asked my sister to courier mine.

Interestingly not too many people know what exactly we celebrate during Diwali. So here's my attempt at education.

Deepavali or Diwali, popularly known as the festival of lights, is an important five-day festival occurring between mid-October and mid-November. For Hindus, Diwali is the most important festival of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes.

The name Diwali is itself a contraction of the word "Deepavali" a Sanskrit word which translates into row of lamps.Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.

During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends. Most Indian business communities begin the financial year on the first day of Diwali.

Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps).

The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival are different in different parts of India.

Business people regard it as a favorable day to start a new accounting year because of the festival's association with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. And since we are great followers of tradition, we too celebrated Diwali at the office with a small traditional puja. And since it was a holiday only die hard WA'ites came. And I do hope that some day we can show them our gratitude in a meaningful way. For now, a zillion thanks and a sincere hope that this Diwali and the coming year will be the best ever. Filled with lots of joy, happiness and fun. And lots of Lakshmi.

As usual, someone else summarizes the significance better than me. And I'm a fan of not reinventing the wheel. Here's my favorite version from a Times of India editorial.
"Regardless of the mythological explanation one prefers, what the festival of lights really stands for today is a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill, and a religiously sanctioned celebration of the simple - and some not so simple - joys of life."

What's a blog without an opinion. And I have a thought. This year especially, there was huge decoration and lights all across Mumbai and I assume India. It was looking majorly lively, beautiful and happening. And tons of money was literally burnt. With firecrackers that makes a lot of noise. Causing noise pollution and further dirtying already dirty areas. My suggestion and I practiced it this year, is a compromise. Lets do the lighting and utilize the money we spend on firecrackers, in giving light to those not as fortunate as us. That way not only are we being nice to the environment and ourselves but celebrating the true spirit of Diwali.

My wife Ivy, who's a pulmonary physician insisted that I add a couple of lines about her patients. Many of her patients are asthmatics and the air pollution is so bad that they are unable to breathe. The luckier ones who can afford it leave the city and go to their villages where they can breathe fresh air. Her appeal, "Please don't pollute the air. Lets all breathe easy and have a healthy Diwali".

Have a great Diwali and a wonderful New Year.