All Hindu festivals are according to the Hindu
lunisolar calendar, and so, in the solar calendar
of the west, it varies from year to year within
a month. The months of autumn, which according
to the Hindu calendar are Ashvina and Kartika
(September-October-November), are packed with
Hindu festivals of which Dashera and Diwali are
the most widely observed. This period marks the
season of celebration following the harvests of
summer and the rainy season. Many schools are
on vacation for this period to celebrate the
Dashera-Diwali festivals.
The stories of Dashera and Diwali are our focus
today.
Immediately prior to the nine-day worship (Navaratri)
of Durga, is the fortnight of ancestral worship
or tarpan, called Peetri Paksha. It starts on
the first day of moon in Ashvin and ends on the
new moon day. Devout Hindus remember their ancestors
and offer water and black sesame seed (til) with
prayers for these fifteen days. The last day,
the new moon day, is called Mahalaya.
The present day Durga Puja, celebrated
in autumn, was introduced by Rama who worshipped
Durga for nine days in order to defeat Ravana,
the demon king of Shri Lanka. Ravana was slain
on the tenth day which is now commemorated by
the celebration of Dashera. Hence, in many parts
of India, the story of Rama (Ramayana) is enacted
as Ramlila for a month prior to Dashera and the
effigy of Ravana is burnt on the Dashera day with
the display of fireworks. Dashera is the occasion
for Hindus to exchange presents and messages of
good will. Apart from religious prayers, it is
a season full of communal festivities.
Now let us hear the story of
Durga. Long ago, there was a powerful demon king
named Mahishashur (a demon who could take the
shape of a buffalo). Mahishashur prayed to Brahma,
one of the forms of supreme power, and sought
his blessings to become immortal. Brahma said
"Mahisha, once born, one must die. I cannot
grant immortality." However, according to
his desire, Brahma blessed Mahisha that he will
be killed only by a woman. Mahishashur, with his
extraordinary power, very soon drove away the
gods from heaven and took over the throne of their
king Indra. Finally, the gods joined their forces
to create the goddess Durga. Durga later killed
Mahishashur and brought peace back to earth. According
to mythology, Durga was married to Shiva, the
god of destruction. She has four children - Luxmi,
the goddess of wealth, Saraswati, the goddess
of knowledge, Kartikeya, the god of war and the
elephant-headed younger son Ganesh the god of
success and remover of obstacles. Durga comes
to the earth every year for ten days, along with
her four children, to meet her people on the earth
where she was born. The images are made of clay
or paper maché and decorated with silk
sarees, and jewels. Goddess Durga is depicted
slaying the demon Mahishashur while riding a lion.
On the back drop of the image is the picture of
Shiva in the center surrounded by other gods and
goddesses. The image is worshipped on the 7th,
8th, and 9th days of Navaratri. On the tenth day,
or Dashera, the images are immersed into a river
symbolizing the return of Durga and her children
to Lord Shiva. On the tenth day begins Vijaya
Dashami or Dashera. This is the day when Ram had
slain Ravana. During Durga Puja, Hindus celebrate
the victory of mother goddess Durga or divine
forces, over Mahishashur, the evil forces.
Diwali follows Dashera. It is
a spectacular religious festival held in late
autumn. The celebration takes place on the darkest
night of autumn, the new moon day (Amabashya),
at the beginning of Kartika (October-November),
eighteen days after the celebration of Dashera.
Diwali means cluster of lights. On the Diwali
day, rows of lamps decorate the houses and presents
are exchanged.
Diwali, in the north of India,
is associated with the coronation of Rama when
he returned to Ayodhya (in Uttar Pradesh) after
vanquishing the demon Ravana on the day of Dashera.
Ram had been in exile for fourteen years and his
followers were pleased to see his return to Ayodhya.
They welcomed him by decorating their houses with
lamps and rejoiced with the display of fireworks
at night. Diwali is seen as a renewal of life.
Houses are painted and new purchases are made
at this time. In Maharasthra, Diwali is seen as
a festival for warding off king Bali, the ruler
of the underworld. In the western part of India,
many Hindus believe that the souls of their ancestors
come to visit their homes during the new moon
day of Diwali. Lamps are lit to guide the way
of the departed souls. In Gujrat, Diwali is associated
mostly with the worship of Luxmi, the goddess
of wealth. It is believed Luxmi on this day emerges
to bring prosperity to the world. Luxmi puja in
Gujrat lasts for five days which starts with Dhanterash,
the worshipping of wealth. The fourth day is Gujratís
New Years Day. Luxmi is believed to visit the
homes that are well lit. So, families decorate
their houses with light, flowers and paper chains.
It is believed that lighting the new lamps will
drive away evil and poverty from the world and
heralds better times. In the eastern part of India,
especially in West Bengal, Luxmi puja is celebrated
five days after Dashera, on the full moon day
(Purnima). On the following new moon day (Amabashya),
coinciding with Diwali, goddess Kali is worshipped.
Kali has a terrifying look. She destroys all evils.
Lamps are lit in her honor, and in return, she
promises a renewal of life and justice on earth.
Four days after Diwali is the
brotherís day or Bhiadweej (or Bhaiphonta).
Sisters put sandalwood mark on brotherís
forehead praying to Yama, the god of death, to
grant a long and prosperous life for her brother.
|