Diwali or Deepavali, one of the biggest and among the most significant festivals celebrated with great joy and fervor across India. There are many traditions associated with this festival but sometimes we either forget to take a pause to remember the real essence of what we are doing or get too carried away with the festivities, thus missing out on the deep significance of the rituals and customs. Here are seven pointers that could add some depth along with fun to the customs that you follow and make the festival more meaningful and joyous for you and your family.
Light the lamp within
Diwali is known as the festival of lights and it’s a custom to light lamps in the evening. As you light a lamp, remember that your life is like a light and once the light of knowledge dawns from within, then there is light everywhere around us. Remind yourself that you too are a beautiful lamp and are here to spread the light of happiness and wisdom around.
TIP: It would be a good idea to use clay lamps made by potters and bring light in their lives too. There may be easy options of electric lights and diyas but nothing beats the glow from a wick dipped in oil in a clay lamp.
Burst crackers of negativity
During Diwali we burn firecrackers to bring our mind to the present. When an explosion happens on the outside, the explosion inside is diffused. With each cracker, burst any negativity you may have for any person. If you do not wish to burst crackers, you can choose to light a few sparklers to keep the symbolism alive.
TIP: Avoid loud crackers that are too harsh to the ear or those which create too much air pollution. Do it in moderation to take care of the environment and also sensitize your children. Prefer to use crackers made in Indian factories and feel good about giving livelihood to your fellow countrymen.
Share sweetness
What is Diwali without sweets? Sweets dispel any bitterness and are symbolic of a renewed friendship. As you exchange sweets with friends and family, realize that every person at the core of his or her being is essentially good and drop any ill feeling you may have had for anyone.
TIP: To be true to tradition, drop the bakery items for today and have Indian sweets – the variety is enormous! Of course you may wish to be watchful of the quantity of white sugar you consume and if you have chosen to make it a cheat day, that most will, do it with awareness ☺
Feel wealthy
It is customary to pray to Goddess Lakshmi – the Goddess of wealth in many parts of the country. Realize that wealth is not just monetary but comprises of all the different types of wealth (Ashtalakshmi) that bring richness in your life. Today, feel abundant and be grateful for all that you have received. When you recognize the abundance in life and put your attention to it, it will grow even more.
TIP: True wealth is also the ability to care and share and apart from exchanging gifts, take this opportunity to do a good deed for someone in need.
Start anew
Diwali also marks the beginning of New Year as per the Vikram Samvat calendar. This is the time to throw away all the unwanted stuff that you have piled up at home and make it fresh and clean. Do the same for your mind too! Remove all the dust that has accumulated over time – ill feelings, negative emotions and start afresh with love, joy and positivity. Decorate both your outer and inner environment.
TIP: Be creative in the your decoration whether you use lights, rangoli or flowers and try something new this time.
Dress in your best
Diwali is the day to take out your best traditional wear. When you get ready, feel that you are dressing up to show off to the most beautiful person and that’s you. Don’t let your day be dependent on appreciation from others, instead look at yourself in the mirror and praise yourself. At the same time, be generous in your compliments to friends and family. Praising oneself and others uplifts our mind and spirit.
TIP: We may have chosen to use western wear for our daily hectic pace of lives, but when you wear Indian clothes today, appreciate the richness and diversity of our textiles and the beauty of our weavers, be it a saree, kurta-pjyama or lehenga choli.
Honor the diversity and divinity
Across the country there are different traditions of worship for the same festival. Homecoming of Lord Rama celebrated in most parts of North India, worship of Goddess Kali in the East, victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasur in South, beginning of the New year the next day in West India, attainment of Nirvana by Bhagwan Mahavir celebrated by Jains – so many flavours to this one festival. Admire the diversity that exists in this country and respect and honor this diversity that has kept the country together making it so unique. But whichever form you may worship, remind yourself of the formless that pervades all the forms – the one Divinity that is the substratum of everything.
TIP: Visit a friend whose custom of worship may be different from what you follow and learn a little bit about their culture and background too. Worship the Divinity within by meditating for sometime among all the festivities.
Article by Aditi Jain
