The festival of lights`

Not only the lovely autumn is adding beauty to life but the bright shades of light across the hallway, over the streets - right thru the city brings upon a vibrant cheer. So, am I the person who would fall for these - the diyas, the rangolis, the smell of sweets, kids running with their sparklers, the uncles n aunties all dressed up in traditional attires - sounds like ‘picture perfect’ doesn’t it?! But, I will tell my concern first before I go to the charm of the festival…

Am lil concerned that there might be child labour involved in the making of these crackers – its just hearsay – I have not seen – but it bothers me, yeah! I am not too happy when the boys across the streets light those atom bombs or 10,000 walas or whatever… cos, there are 90 year olds all thru the area n even if they don’t mind; their weak heart does – it might not take it too well… n the new born babies – man! They cry their heart out – poor souls! The sound is just tooooo much. If the teens in the block n their parents wouldn’t buy (atleast) crackers of such high decibels - I would be glad…

So yeah, basically the noise n air pollution – am one of those who isn’t much fond of them - rest is fine.

Well, what is the festival about?! We gotto know rt! This festival is celebrated during the month of Kartigai across different religions/regions with same josh but with a manifold origin. Jains add a festive spirit to this day as it marks Lord Mahavir’s attainment of nirvana; Sikhs revere the holy day as it marks the return of their sixth guru Guru Har Gobind Ji after being imprisoned by Jahangir; Hindus celebrate as it marks the day of return of lord Rama from the exile and also Lord Krishna’s surasamhara of the evil demon Narakasura.

How?! - The families decorate the threshold n premises with oil lit lamps, mostly made out of clay. However, this practice is more resorted by North Indians while in the South one can witness the burning of fire crackers far more than the lamps. I think this difference might be because we have another festival in South during the latter half of this Tamil Month Kartigai where we light lamps for three days which is called ‘Kartigai Deepam’. (that’s a different story – may be later)

Why?! - In short, we celebrate this holy day for it symbolizes the entry of auspiciousness into each of our lives. We are up before the sunrise, have a shower in the sacred hour (Brahma Muhurtham time) for we believe the holy water, Mother Ganga would sanctify the impurities. Holy chants echo the living room as we welcome Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and/or any other chosen prayer/deity. There is a union of friends n family to share the joyous occasion with all grandeur. Sweets are shared in the neighbourhood meaning to forgive each of our bitterness, if any. People also decide to wear new clothes on this day as they want to give a fresh beginning for the year to ensue.

The best part is the spiritualistic view, where we inter-link the ‘light’ to wisdom n ‘darkness’ to ignorance. Ignorance that we all are different entities, lack of awareness that we all are one and the same; that we all are divine n full of love; that we all are sparks of the supreme force who are meant to shine together as a single flame; ever rising – ever growing in love n faith. This festival sheds light on this everlasting truth – it dispels darkness/the maya under whose clutches we forget ourselves in the realm of materialism.

So, “happy diwali everyone” God bless…

Let this day be a beacon of light & unite us in love, let harmony spring from all corners, let us grow together – succeed together – celebrate together the gift of life.

Insha Allah`