Deepawali-bandi Chor Divas -the Festival Of Lights

 Deepawali – Bandi Chor Divas- the festival of lights

It is one of the biggest festivals of India for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains.  Besides this all the communities wait and celebrate it with great joy, velour and enthusiasm. People of all ages await this day. 

Its date is calculated according to the Hindu calendars, always falls on the AMAVSYA (no moon day) of the Kartika month. Hence, each year the date of Deepawali varies.

In 2021 Deepawali is on 4^th November.

 Other names of Deepawali – Diwali common name for all the religions.

Bandi Chor Divas for Sikhs.

Festival of Lights for all.

Earthen lamps (diyas) are lit on this day with pure desi ghee or mustard oil, as ghee and mustard oil purify the surroundings when these are burnt in the diyas.

The festival season starts with the Navratri followed by Dussehra, karwachauth Varat (fast), the Hindu women in some parts of India dry fast for the well being of their husbands, then Ahoi Varat (fast) mothers dry fast for the long life and good health of their children especially Hindu mothers, Dhanteras one day before Deepawali then Deepawali itself is celebrated and finally followed by Vishwakarma day and Bhaiya Dooj.

The people clean their houses thoroughly, get them painted, decorate with diyas, lights, flowers, rangolis etc.

 People wear best of their ethnic clothes.

Exchange gifts with their near and dear ones.

Fireworks are also blown at homes and religious places.

Different foods especially sweets are being made and offered to others.

Few people also observe fast on this day and take bath in holy waters.

The worship of Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth) is most important part of the celebrations of Deepawali. Some people keep the doors of their houses open for whole of the nights with lights on to let the Goddess Lakshmi enter their houses and bless them with wealth and prosperity.

Visits temples and Gurudwaras with sweets, fruits, dry fruits, light candles and diyas in the premises of religious places to seek the blessings of their Gods, Goddesses and Gurus.

 Why it is celebrated?

In Hinduism

The king of Ayodhya Shri Ram Chandra along with his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshmana returned home after 14 years exile and conquered Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka, freed his wife Sita from the captivation of Ravana. The people of Ayodhya to celebrate the arrival of their king ,decorated the whole city with diyas. Since then that day is celebrated as Diwali.

In Sikhism

 it is celebrated as Bandi Chor Divas (the Liberation Day)

On this day the sixth Guru of Sikhs Shri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was released from Gwalior fort with 52 kings and princes holding his robe.

The Golden Temple is decorated with lights, diyas and candles, its beauty is worth seeing on this day.  Kirtan, Nagar kirtan and Langer enhance the religious value of this festival. Lakhs of devotees visit Golden Temple from all over the world to pay obeisance and take dip in the Holy Water (Sarovar).

These festivities depict the rich culture and universal brotherhood as all the religions and communities celebrate them with equal zeal and charm year after year.

Dal roti ghar di Diwali Amritsar di