Diwali helps move in the direction of truth, happiness

Many cultures throughout the world consider light to be very auspicious as it is a symbol of happiness, life and truth. The Indian festival of Diwali is the festival of lights and heralds the emergence of happiness. The festival of lights inspires human beings to march in the direction of truth and happiness getting away from falsehood and darkness.

The day of Diwali is marked by the preparation of a variety of dishes made from rice flakes (fov). In many Hindu temples, lamps are lit in the afternoon in the sanctum sanctorum to mark the occasion. In the past, agriculture was the backbone of the Indian economy and, people who were happy after reaping the paddy, cultivated during the rainy season, developed the tradition of lighting lamps to express gratitude to their ancestors and gods.

There are different legends associated with the origin of Diwali. One legend tells that Diwali is celebrated as a remembrance of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya along with his wife Sita and brother Laxman after 14 years in exile. Shri Ram gave topmost priority for the well-being of his subjects.


The fourteenth day of the dark half of Ashwin (the seventh month of the Hindu calendar) is observed as the Narak Chaturdashi, wherein a huge effigy of the demon Narakasur made of dry grass stuffed with fire works is burnt in the wee hours. It is said that the demon Narkasur who had kidnapped and imprisoned 16,000 princesses for his harem was killed by Lord Krishna with the blessing of Kali, a goddess of strength.

Diwali also represents the last day of the year in the Vikram Samvat, the year in the lunar calendar, when lamps are lit and sweets are distributed. The Jainists light lamps in memory of the last Tirthankar. Kamlesh Bandekar, a pharmacist from Bicholim, says, "We celebrate this day as the birth day of Dhanvantari, one of the pioneers of Ayurved."

The first day of Kartik (eighth month of the Hindu calendar) is considered as the beginning of the lunar new year. It is most popular among the business community as they settle their old business accounts and open new books by worshipping goddess Laxmi.

On the second day of Kartik, Bhaubij is celebrated. It is the day for a brother and a sister to express their love and gratitude for each other. A sister waives a lamp and urges god to bless her brother by giving him a long and cheerful life.

The farming and pastoral community in Goa celebrates Bali Pratipada on the third day of Kartik in honour of the demon king Bali who was a generous ruler. On this day a miniature cattle shed is made of cowdung where, karit (small wild bitter cucurbit) fruits mounted on four small sticks, representing cattle, are worshipped.

Ladu Gaonkar, a folklorist from Savarde, Sattari said, "It is the only day in the year when cattle are honoured by worshipping, decorating and serving them with pole and pancakes made from boiled rice." Though all these five festival days follow one another, they are independent from each other.

Shantadurga temple of Kavale near Ponda attracts a large crowd on the day of Diwali as there is public display and worship of the five different gold idols of goddess Shantaduga. It is popularly known as Panchamurti poojan. It is the only occasion in the year when idols of goddesses are dressed in festive finery. The Deepmala or the lamp post in front of the temple is illuminated with the lamps during the night. The festival of lights inspires human beings to march in the direction of truth and happiness getting away from falsehood and darkness.