DEEPAVALI, INDIAN FESTIVAL

festivals are to share happiness

The festival of light, Deepavali, is a major Hindu festival which is cordially celebrated in India and other parts of the world. The people belonging to Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism are also happily celebrating this auspicious day. It comes on the new moon day of every October or November of the year. Deepavali means the victory of goodness against evil things. There are many stories connected with the celebration of Deepavali in India itself. In South India it is told that it is celebrated to note the victory of Lord Krishna against the demon Naragasur. Here Lord Krishna stands for goodness and Naragasur for evil things. In some other parts of North India people are celebrating this day to note the arrival of Lord Rama to Ayodthi after the completion of 14 years exile whereas the other group of people are giving significance to the diety of wealth Goddess Lakshmi on this day.

Oil bath or Ganga isnan on Deepavali

On that day people are waking up early in the morning and take oil bath or Ganga isnan which has been a traditional health habit of India for many decades. About 50 ml of coconut oil is applied on head and all over the body before taking bath. Some spices like pepper and garlic pieces in a small amount is also added with coconut oil before getting boiled to get the medicinal properties of the spices. Instead of toilet soap people are using a green colored herbal powder (soap nut powder) and sikkakai powder to rinse on the head to remove the applied oil when they are taking oil bath. It is also called as Ganga isnan. Here isnan means bath. On that auspicious day water from river Ganga, the holy river of the Hindu people, is taken in a small quantity and mixed with the total water in which they are going to take bath. However very little proportion of the people are follwing this habit on that day.

Shopping and preparation to celebrate Deepavali

On nearing days of the festival, the bazaars of all the cities of the country are rushed with the people who are showing their extreme interest to purchase new cloths, furnitures and favorite electronic goods. Shoppers are announcing special Deepavali discount to attract the people as well as to increase their sales on the season. People are also fond of making variety of sweets and snacks to add spirit to the festival. Many people are purchasing ready made sweets from the shops which will reach the peak of sales on those days.

Worshipping the GOD

After finishing the oil bath people are worshipping and thanking GOD by placing all new cloths, prepared sweets ,snacks and firecrackers in their pooja room. The children and youngsters are getting blessing from the leaders of the family on that day. Many people are wishing to meet thier favorite and respectable persons to receive greetings and blessings on this prosperous day. Some of them are wishing to go to temples to pray GOD on this good day.

Firecrackers, additional attraction of Deepavali

The children, youngsters and all the other people are showing their extreme interest to light firecrackers on this day. There are many varieties of firecrackers manufactured in Sivakasi of Tamilnadu in India. To avoid misevents people will be very careful when they light firecrackers to run a peaceful Deepavali. Thousands of labourers get involved in this firecracker industries will be benefited by the sales of firecrackers though it seems a waste of money.

Entertainment on Deepavali

Mass of people are attracted by the variety of TV programmes on this happy day. People usually enjoy the TV programmes related with their favorite cine stars. On the same day many new movies are released througout the country. People are wishing to enjoy the day by going to new movies with their friends and relatives.

Expressing love to friends and relatives

By presenting sweet packets and gifts and sending greetings people are expressing their love to their friends and relatives. This great day is also leaving a chance of expressing love to the people belonging to the religions other than Hinduism. Especially in secular countries in India it is an appreciable habit to share happiness with the other religious people. The private and government companies of India are encouraging and appreciating their workers by offering Deepavali bonus.