Diwali : Lighting Skies and Lives

Diwali and the course of festivals

Every year, on the darkest night in the northern hemisphere, millions of people illuminate their homes and streets to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the annual Festival of Lights. It is held on the darkest night of the Hindu lunar calendar and ushers in new beginnings just before the arrival of the new moon. Diwali is widely celebrated in India and is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Newar Buddhists around the world.

While Diwali stories and rituals differ between the faiths, they all honour the same thing: that good triumphs over evil. Each of the five days holds its own significance as faith, food, fireworks, family, and charity come together as one during the festive season. Diwali also marks the last harvest before the northern winter. Diwali is by no means a one-day festival; it stretches to a span of five days:

Day 1:Dhanteras

On this day, people purchase gold, silver, clothes, gadgets etc. as a sign of good luck and worship the god of health and Ayurveda in the evening.

Day 2:Naraka Chaturdashi

The second day is also known as Chhoti Diwali or Minor Diwali. People wake up early in the morning and bathe in natural oils and herbal mix and change into clean clothes.

Day 3:Lakshmi Pujan

This is the day when the main celebration of Diwali takes place. On this day, the Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is worshipped. Floor decorations are made and the entire house is lit with diyas, candles and lights. Families exchange gifts and sweets and celebrate the evening together with laughter, joy and prayers.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja.

This day occurs a day after Diwali and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Devotees offer 56 varieties of vegetarian food and drinks to Lord Krishna as a mark of gratitude.

Day 5: Bhai Duj

The final day is called Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej. In the east, it is known as Bhai Phonta. This is a day for siblings to get together and show their love for each other by performing the tikka ceremony and exchanging gifts, sweets and blessings.

The Economic Impact of Diwali

Diwali is by far the most celebrated festival in India, and with its existing emotional and religious value comes great economic worth. The palpable festive spirit is visible with the rise seen in the market, be it online or offline. People take Diwali as an opportunity to upgrade their lifestyle in a materialistic manner, causing the markets to see a hike in consumer purchases. Demand and sales during this period are often seen as a barometer of the vitality of business, and the Indian economy. Around this time of the year, sales of textiles, automobiles, consumer durables, electronic goods, jewelry, real estate, and food pick up. The tourism sector also sees growth since holidaying to different destinations is common during the break around Diwali.

While shops see brisk sales, e-commerce also booms as the platforms have expanded their reach and now cover many smaller towns and cities. The youth of New India enthusiastically increase online sales as e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart give heavy discounts this season to boost sales. Even the stock market does well as people consider it auspicious to buy shares during Diwali.

It not only helps the organised sector, but the unorganised sector also experiences a lot of monetary benefits. For example, the artesian industry, one of the largest employers of people from rural areas and the poor, sees a hike in demand and sales of their products, causing the needy to earn enough to live decently for the coming year.

The Big Celebration

For most travelers and spiritual seekers alike, Varanasi is a dream destination. People from all over the world come and stay in this city for days, seeking spiritual peace, meditating on the banks of the Holy River Ganga, and paying several visits to the temples in what is popularly known as the city of temples. Varanasi's Dev Deepawali, also known as Dev Diwali, is the time of year when the city truly feels like an abode of the Gods, rather than just temples. Often

known as the City of Light, Dev Deepawali is a manifestation of this very epithet.

Dev Deepavali is commemorated by lighting diyas and candles on the steps of various Ghats and riverfronts of the Ganga River. This festival is celebrated in the holy city of Varanasi, popularly known as Kashi. It is celebrated on Kartik Purnima. It falls after 15 days of the festival Diwali.

There are many mythological stories behind this festival, but one of the most accepted is that Lord Shiva saved all the deities from the demon Tripura Sura by punishing him for his bad deeds. He was killed by Lord Shiva in Kashi only. Millions of diyas and candles are lit on this occasion to welcome all the deities. A Ganga aarti is performed to worship the Goddess Ganga. Tourists from all parts of India and the world gather in Varanasi to be a part of such a grand festival. They become spectators at this festival and enjoy the festival vibes. People take baths in the holy river Ganga and then light diyas.

Every year, some celebrities or great personalities mark their presence in Varanasi to watch the grand celebration. Many programmes are also organised by different talented groups. Culture is reflected in this festival. The beauty of the Ghats cannot be defined in words. The government provides greater security on this day to ensure law and order as millions of people gather on the Ghats.