India has a rich heritage, evident from its diverse traditions, vibrant cultures, and the season of festivals. Different festivals are celebrated in every corner of the country with enthusiasm and devotion. One of the very prominent festivals celebrated across the country is Diwali, or Deepavali, which represents the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
But the festive period is not limited to Diwali; several other festivities are enjoyed around this time that vary in meaning and customs. Within this article, Diwali along with certain festivals that take place in India around this time are explained in their relevance and history.
1. Dussehra or Vijayadashami
Dussehra is a festival celebrated by the people of India to recognise the triumph of Lord Rama over the evil King Ravana. This festival, which is commonly seen on the tenth day of Navratri, signifies the triumph of good over evil.
There are usually Ramlila plays, which are dramatisations of portions of the Ramayana that culminate in the destruction of effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran. The history dates back further, as explained by old Indian texts that talk about the adventure of Rama, who was on a journey to save his wife Sita from the clutches of Ravana.
In different regions, especially abundant in the northern parts of India, local inhabitants conduct huge processions displaying beautifully dressed idols and interesting cultural activities. In terms of tourism, Mysore is famous for its Dussehra celebrations, as it presents a stunning view of the Mysore Palace lit with thousands of lights during the festival.
2. Dhanteras
The five-day Diwali festivities commence on Dhanteras. On this auspicious day celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of Kartik, people pay reverence to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari. On this day, the foremost focus is on wealth, as “Dhan” means wealth in Indian languages and “Teras” denotes the thirteenth day. It is believed that buying any gold or silver metal items on this day is very lucky as it brings wealth into the households.
Yonder in history, Dhanteras was observed as an occasion related to the emergence of Lord Dhanvantri from the ocean’s surface during the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), when the ocean was churned with a pot containing nectar of immortality. This festivity glorifies health and fortune, building a cheerful spirit for the upcoming Diwali.
3. Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)
Kartika marks the month in which Naraka Chaturdashi, or ‘Choti Diwali’ as popularly known, is celebrated on the fourteenth day after the full moon. This is the day when devotees commemorate Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.
According to tradition, before sunrise, Krishna slayed Narakasura and set free his hostages. This act exemplifies conquering evil. Cleansing and Purification procedures are also important features of the festivities of Naraka Chaturdashi. Naraka Chaturdashi, besides its epic theological relevance, is the first stage in the ring of Deepavali.
4. Diwali
Diwali is dedicated to worshipping goddess Lakshmi to win health and prosperity. On the day of Amavasya, which means new moon night in Kartika month, families tend to their houses and get them ready by carpeting the floors with decorated rangolis and putting up lights, as well as flowers to usher in Lakshmi.
The earliest illustrations of Diwali trace its celebrations to the return of Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita, to the kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and being crowned king. The event, which includes family reunions, shared meals, prayers, fireworks, and the exchange of gifts, tells of happiness, optimism, and new opportunities.
Lighting up diyas during Diwali is the practice that signifies dispelling all negativity from one’s self in relation to the future. Every household also undertakes Lakshmi Puja on this day by making prayers and offering several edible items on a floral-decked plate, positioned in the centre of the worship place.
5. Govardhan Puja
Diwali’s next day is known as Govardhan puja, which is celebrated in worship of Lord Krishna, who lifted the mountain Govardhan to protect the people from the continuous rains of Lord Indra. It is an important event for the devotees, who believe that the act of Lord Krishna saved them from annihilation.
This is also known as Annakoot, in which devotees worship the Govardhan Mountain and offer a large number of vegetarian foods in the form of Annakoot as gratitude to Krishna.
6. Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj is a festival that is celebrated on the second day after the Diwali festival. This festival focuses on the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters on this day are engaged in various activities, such as marking their brother’s forehead with a ceremonial red powder known as tilak, performing aarti, and praying for their brothers’ long lives.
On the other hand, brothers typically give a gift or cash in appreciation of their sisters’ prayers and well wishes, which cultivates respect among brothers and sisters over every generation.
It is also depicted in some great stories from Indian history, where it is said that on the very day of Bhai Dooj, Yama Raj, the lord of death, wanders to his sister Yamuna’s place after she does the proper household rituals inviting him.
7. Kali Pooja
In the state of West Bengal, Kali Puja is carried out in the festive mood of Diwali by the devotees worshipping Kali Ma instead of Goddess Lakshmi. They perform several elaborate rites and midnight services that include sacrifices of fish or meat and offering flowers, all while chanting or singing mantras dedicated to the great goddess Kali.
Kali Puja, as it later became known, has been historically viewed as being of Tantric origin and the transformation of Hinduism centuries back. Kali Puja is most important not only by virtue of rendering the people devotion within its folds but also because it brings hope to the people in the society today wherein challenges are plentiful, rallying them to the courage of Kali Ma.
8. Dev Diwali
Fifteen days after the festival of lights, Diwali falls Kartik Purnima, which is also known as the Dev Diwali. It is said that on this night, devotees light hundreds of diyas as they gather at the banks of the river in Varanasi under the full moon, marking the victory of light over darkness.
Long before, elaborate celebrations were held in honour of the deities for centuries, and these celebrations proved how diverse and rich Indian culture has always been, encouraging appreciation of beauty centred around spirituality and balance as experienced during these events.
9. Bandi Chor Divas
Sikhs observe Bandi Chhor Divas commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from prison along with other prisoners of war. This historic incident exemplifies the ideas of justice and liberation that are deeply rooted in the Sikh religion.
This is celebrated in gurdwaras across India, where devotees participate in social feasting, lighting lamps symbolizing freedom and hope, and coming together to promote peace between diverse communities in modern-day society regardless of their social status.
The historical narratives concerning the Bandi Chhor Divas explain Guru Hargobind Ji’s suffering as he fought for the wrongs that were done to him and for the very rights and freedoms that he created for the society that we know today, central tenets of Sikhism.
10. Maharashtra’s Vasubaras or Govatsa Dwadashi
In Maharashtra, dairy farming is very crucial. In fact, farmers observe the festival of Vasubaras celebrating cows, who are considered symbols of wealth and prosperity. Customs such as feeding truncated jaggery-based sweetening agents to cows to thank cows and to honour their contribution to agricultural practices that have been followed for centuries are observed on this day.
The reverence of mankind for fauna, as illustrated in the tales surrounding the celebration of Vasubaras, is an essential characteristic in agricultural communities that cements the relationships between them and nature.
Moreover, these tales serve to reinforce the existing conservation measures. The core of the festivities of Vasubaras not only entails reverence of animals but also the understanding of the wisdom of dependence among all living things, which respects the importance of social bonds cultivated over a period of time and the different ecosystems within the globe.
11. Tihar
In regions of Sikkim and Assam, the residents worship different animals, which include crows, dogs, cows, and oxen, each day of the five-day holiday. These activities serve to appreciate nature and reinforce social relationships.
The traditional Tihar tales explain the necessity for respect for all living beings. With regard to education, they respect animals as the ones who maintain the ecology and facilitate the interrelation of various kinds of ecosystems in the world and within one’s country.
The observances that accompany the festival of Diwali celebrate Indian ethnic diversity at its best and bring forth values such as wealth, family bonding, socialization, religion, and environmental care. Every celebration has its significance that is connected with myths and history, and this colourful enhancement makes the traditions passed over the years warm the hearts of people celebrating these beautiful occasions every year in this part of the world.
