Diwali, a Festival of Lights, has a special significance for every Indian
This morning, a friend excitedly texted me “Happy Diwali” followed by a flurry of emoticons, and upon receiving her text, my phone lit up with fireworks to officially mark the occasion. My first inclination was to correct her and say “well actually, it’s Diwali and….” but I hesitated and said “thank you” instead.
Later that day, I noticed a Diwali greeting from President-elect Joe Biden to his many followers on Twitter and an angered response from many Indians. Understandable. It was a blanket greeting but nonetheless, I give him a hearty A+ for effort. He did acknowledge one simple fact — that it is Diwali and that the people of India celebrate it in a variety of ways.
Diwali — at its core — is the festival of lights and mainly celebrated by Hindus. It’s a spiritual holiday that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. This multifaceted holiday is also celebrated by Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists and is a fusion of festivals that just so happens to fall and coincide with the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
For Hindus, the religious significance of Diwali varies regionally — the festival celebrates a diversity of deities and traditions. A majority of Hindus associate Diwali with Lakshmi — the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Hindus in eastern India associate the festival with the goddess Kali, who symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Jains in India celebrate Diwali in observance of Mahavira Nirvana Divas — the physical and final nirvana of Mahavira. Jains light lamps on Diwali to symbolize keeping the light of Lord Mahavir’s knowledge alive and sweets are distributed in celebration of his contributions. Jains also celebrate by fasting, singing hymns, and chanting mantras to honor Lord Mahavir. During this time, Jains also celebrate or commemorate a new year and are then wished a Sal Mubarak (Happy New Year).
Sikhs, who reside mainly in Punjab — a state that is in the northwest region of India, celebrate Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas (Day of Liberation) and in remembrance of the release of Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru of ten gurus in the Sikh religion. Guru Hargobind introduced militarization to the Sikh faith. His father, Guru Arjan (the 5th guru of the Sikh faith) was arrested under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and asked to convert to Islam. His refusal led to torture and execution. After his execution, Guru Hargobind succeeded him and opposed the oppression of the Mughal rule. He also advised Sikhs and Hindus to arm themselves and fight which led to the building of the Akal Takht — a fort at the city of Amritsar in Punjab. It is located inside the Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple). It is widely believed that Guru Hargobind was imprisoned because he was building a defense in response to the unjust death of his father. He was imprisoned with 52 political rajas for opposing the Mughal empire. Upon his release, he requested the other rajas who had been loyal be freed with him. A special coat with 52 hems was stitched for just the occasion and the rajas caught the hems of the cloak and came out along with him upon his release.
The day of his release was actually a few days prior to Diwali however Diwali was being celebrated on the day the Guru reached Amritsar with the 52 rajas. Upon his arrival, the people lit up the city and sky with thousands of candles, lights, and lamps and it was a display that was unlike any other. Since the two events concede, Sikhs celebrate both occasions — Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas because both events symbolize an event that marks a victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
In Buddhism, Diwali is not a festival recognized by most Buddhists however the Newar people of Nepal observe Diwali by offering prayers to Lakshmi. Newar Buddhists celebrate Diwali in a similar fashion as many Hindus by holding a five-day festival. It also marks Emperor Ashoka’s decision to follow a path of peace after witnessing bloodshed and death, which led to his conversion of Buddhism.
While Diwali has a different meaning depending upon regional, spiritual, and cultural traditions, its message — marking the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil — continues to resonate amongst the four religions and the millions of people around the world who celebrate this auspicious occasion with candles, the lighting of diyas (oil lamps), and desserts.
