Deepawali: Significance and science behind the festival of lights

The arrival of Hemant ritu, the pleasant pre-winter season when the leaves turn gold for new leaves to take their place, a nip in the air and the scent of marigolds bring indications of the most awaited festival, Diwali. Beginning from Sharad Poornima (October 28, 2023) till Kartik Poornima (November 12, 2023) the entire month is festive. Kartik month is considered the month of Shri Vishnu. The astronomical conditions are conducive for good health, wealth, and overall prosperity in this month. Kartik also is the month of victory because, Shivputra Kartikey’s victory over Tarakasur, Shri Ram’s victory over Ravan, Shri Krishna’s victory over Varah putra Bhaumasur and Devi Lakshmi’s victory over darkness. On Kartik Poornima, using the north-eastern monsoon winds that blow from mid-November, the ancient Hindu mariners sailed to Sri Lanka, down the Straits of Malacca towards Palembang to Sumatra, Bali, Yavadwip, Borneo and Vietnam. The Malays, Indonesians, Bornean, Viet, Burmese, Sri Lankans, Cambodians, also Thai and Laotian till date, worship and light lamps on Kartik Poornima. Hindu festivals, traditions and rituals are not meaningless, they have attached benefits on the human mind and body because of their occurrences in particular ritus (seasons) and astronomical conditions. The magnitude of the earth’s revolution around the sun brings about six ritus which not only change temperature, affecting soil moisture, evaporation, river flows, lake levels, snow cover, vegetation etc, they also affect the internal environment of human beings. All Hindu festivals, ritualistic traditions, fasting, specific diets and regimes are thus based on environmental and biological changes to regulate our homeostasis equilibrium and to promote physical and mental health, backed by wisdom. Hindu civilisation gave the world the concept of ritucharya, meaning ayurvedic seasonal lifestyle. Why is the most important festival of Hindus attacked in the garb of environmental concerns that take centre stage just ahead of Diwali? Come Diwali, the anti-Hindus, the liberal elites start their pollution and cracker ban rants, some Bollywood celebrities have gone as far as wishing an ‘unhappy Diwali’ to those who burn crackers, the brands display their pseudo secular attitude by running vicious advertisement campaigns against Hindu festivals. Judiciary also jumps in calling it the festival of pollution, the fire-works industry too has been repeatedly targeted. Children are brainwashed by schools calling Diwali a cultural and not a Hindu dharmik festival. “Diwali history is a contested one, torn between myth and appropriation” said a 2021 article in The Print. Why are such views expressed only for Hindu festivals? To debunk and change this narrative the Hindus must know the ancient wisdom attached to all their festivals and rituals. This anti-Hindu propaganda that demeans Hindu culture before every festival will fall flat on its face only when the Hindus decolonise their minds and become unapologetic about their rituals and traditions. Festivals in Kartik Month Karwa Chauth (Nov 1, 2023): Chaturthi, the fourth day of Kartik when the slain head of Ganesh ji landed on the moon and Shivji brought His son back to life, is celebrated as Karwa Chauth. The moon on this day is thus seen as Shiv with son Ganesha. Since the moon symbolises the subconscious and conscious mind, Hindu women observe a fast and worship the Moon God Chandra Dev for stability in married life. At moon rise, only after offering argya/ water from karwa, an earthen pot, do they drink water and consume food. Ahoi Ashtami (Nov 5, 2023): To ward off the darkness caused due to the sun’s transit, the Vedic rishis started the tradition of Akaash Deep daan-lighting up mandirs, river banks and neighbourhood with oil lamps starting from Ahoi Ashtami, the eighth day of Kartik. कृष्णपक्षे विशेषेण पुत्र पंचदिनानि च। पुण्यानि तेषु यो दत्ते दीपं सोऽक्षयमाप्नुयात्। Meaning, lighting lamps from Krishna Paksha Rama Ekadashi till Deepawali on Amavasya is very auspicious, it brings positivity and peace. On Dwadashi of Kartik in the Krita/ Sata Yuga, the Divine Cow Kamadhenu had incarnated from Samudra Manthan. On Trayodashi Bhagwan Dhanwantri incarnated, on Chaturdashi Maa Kali and on Amavasya of Kartik, Mata Lakshmi had incarnated from the Samudra Manthan. Hence on their Avtaran tithis, Govatsa Dwadashi, Dhanwantari Triyodashi, Narak Chaturdashi and Deepawali are celebrated on the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th days of this month. Govatsa Dwadashi/ Nandini Vrat (November 9, 2023, 10:41 am 12:35 pm): Hindus worship cows, the holy beings, that have befriended human beings since aadi kaal. They pay gratitude to them for their contribution in the sustenance of human life. Dhan Trayodashi (November 10, 2023): Shri Vishnu Bhagwan had incarnated from Samudra Mantahan as Dhanwantri, the Devta of Ayurveda carrying an Amrit Kalash on this day. Dev Guru Brihaspati asked the Devtas to worship Kuber ji, the Devta of all treasures and Mata Lakshmi on this day for prosperity. Hence, along with Bhagwan Dhanwantri, Mata Lakshmi and Kuber ji are worshipped on Dhanteras. Deep Daan is done on this day for Yama, the devta of death, a deepak with four wicks is lit on the main door outside the house for Yama, to protect members of the family from unforeseen mishaps from all four directions and untimely death. Narak Chaturdashi (Nov 12, 2023): On the 14th day of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, Shri Krishna slew Varaha’s son Bhaumasur also called Narkasur and smeared his blood on His forehead as a mark of victory. Before dying Bhaumasur wished this day to be celebrated as Narak Chaturdashi. Shri Krishna’s holy bath after this is called Abhyanga Snan. Hindus have been observing the ritualistic Holy bath on this day since then, they follow the tradition of with herbal scrubs and oil-bath early in the morning on Narak Chaturdashi. People of Dwarka lit lamps to welcome the victorious Krishna, who returned with 1600 Arya women captured by Bhaumasur. This day is celebrated as Kali Chaudas also since Maa Kali had incarnated on the same tithi, the Krishna Paksh Chaturdashi of Kartik month. On this tithi itself, Bhagwan Vishnu had promised to visit Raja Bali every year. Hanuman ji was also born on the same tithi. Hence in Ayodhya at Hanumangarhi, His jayanti is celebrated on this day. Some consider Hanuman Jayanti to be on Chaitra Poornima though. Deepawali/ Lakshmi Pooja (Amavasya tithi begins - 02:44 pm on Nov 12 and ends at 02:56 pm on Nov 13, 2023): Devi Lakshmi bestows wealth, good luck, success and grace, hence Lakshmi pooja is a major tradition during Deepawali. Wealth as per Hindu Dharma, has six virtues namely, Saam meaning a calm mind, Daam is awareness of one’s thoughts and deeds, Uparati is being unaffected by external objects and circumstances, Titiksha means remaining neutral- no likes or dislikes, Shraddha is devotion, and Samadhan is focus on your goal. To be rid of fear from death and poverty, from Dhanteras to Amavasya, Raja Bali for three days lit lamps for Yama and worshipped Lakshmi ji. This day is also celebrated as Kedar Gowri Vrat because on this tithi, Shiva became Ardhanarishwara, one with Devi Parvati. Devi Saraswati is also worshipped on this tithi and her Pooja is called Sharda Pooja. New account books are worshipped as Chopad Pooja on this day. In Jain darsan, Diwali is on the anniversary of when the 24th Tirthankara Bhagwan Mahvir attained moksha at Pawapuri, Bihar. Auspicious Choghadiya Muhurat for Diwali Lakshmi Pooja: Shubh- 02:44 pm to 02:47 pm. Evening, Shubh, Amrita, Char- 05:29 pm to 10:26 pm. Night, Labh- 01:44 am to 03:24 am, on Nov 13. Early Morning, Shubh- 05:03 am to 06:42 am, Nov 13 Significance of lighting Ghee Deepak Being nearest to the Aakash Tatva, the energy provider Agni is invoked in a deepak to become one with the celestial dimension/ Cosmic energy and to energise one’s magnetic field. When Maa Lakshmi incarnated in Sata Yuga, Devtas lit hundreds of diyas/ lamps in Her honour. In Treta Yug, on the victorious return of Shri Ram, the people of Ayodhya lit deepaks. In Dwapar Yuga, deepaks were lit for Shri Krishna’s victory over Bhaumasur. Govardhan Pooja- (Pratipada Tithi begins at 02:56 pm on Nov 13, 2023, and ends at 02:36 pm on Nov 14): On the Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Kartik, Krishna saved the Brajwasis from the flooding rain by securing them under the Govardhan Parvat. He did this for seven days and enlightened them about the importance of cow/ live-stock and environment. Worshipping cows and nature, cooking 56 bhog/ annakut for Shri Krishna continues as a tradition for Hindus. This day is also observed as Bali Pratipada Pooja. Raja Bali visits bhulok (earth) for three days and blesses his devotees on this tithi. Hindus of Odisha launch toy boats with oil lamps near river banks and ponds, as a symbolic gesture of the Sea voyage of their ancestors who travelled for four months taking advantage of the favourable winds. Bali yatra that begins on Kartik Poornima, bears testimony to the rich maritime legacy of ancient Utkala Desh when Hindus took with them Bhartiya goods, Sanatan values and culture across the world. The Global Hindu Connect People of Tai cultures, Thailand, laos, Shan, Mon, Tanintharyai, Kelantan, Kedah, Xishuangbanna, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka etc., light lamps near/ in water bodies and celebrate Kartik Poornima, Dev Deepawali in their own ways to this day. Bhai Dooj- (Dwitiya tithi begins on Nov 14, at 02:36 pm, and ends at 01:47 pm on Nov 15, 2023, Bhai Dooj Aparahn time is 01:10 pm to 03:19 pm on 14th) Surya putra Yama Dev visited his sister Yamuna/ Yami on the Shukla Paksha Dwitiya of Kartik month also called Bhratri Dwitiya, Yama Dvitiya or Bhai Dooj. Pleased with Yamuna’s love and devotion, Yama professed that the brothers who visit their sisters on this day to check on their well-being will be protected from all evil and be blessed with a long life. Traditionally, siblings take a holy bath in river Yamuna on this day. Subhadra too had welcomed and worshipped her brother Shri Krishna when he visited her on this Tithi while returning from his victory over Bhaumasur. This tithi is also celebrated as Chitragupta Jayanti because on this day was born the seventeenth Manas putra of Brahma ji, Bhagwan Chitragupta. Shri Chitragupta keeps all accounts of the deeds of living beings. From Kartik Amavasya till Dwitiya, the dependents of Chitragupta keep their pen/ writing work aside, and only after worshipping Chitragupta and the pen do they resume writing. All Poojas done for Victory, strength and wisdom are said to be incomplete without worshipping Chitragupta. Bheeshm Pitamah too had worshipped him while he lay on the bed of arrows. Chhath Pooja- (Nov 17 to Nov 20, 2023) The Rigvedic people are believed to have lived on solar energy for four days from the 4th day to the 7th day of the Shukla Paksha of Kartik. Chhat pooja is a tradition that has continued since then. Devotees fast all four days and worship Surya Devta, the prime source of energy that sustains life on Earth. Usha the first ray of the Sun and Pratyusha, the last ray of the setting Sun is worshipped during Chhath. Prabodhini Ekadashi/ Devotthan Ekadashi - (Ekadashi Tithi begins at 11:03 pm on Nov 22, 2023, and ends at 09:01 pm on Nov 23.) The 11th day of Shukla Paksh of the Kartik month is Prabodhini Ekadashi/ Devotthan Ekadashi when Vishnu ji wakes up from His Chaturmas sleep in Kshirasagar, the four months when no auspicious tasks take place. Tulsi Vivah (Dwadashi Tithi begins at 09:01 pm on Nov 23, 2023 and ends at 07:06 pm on Nov 24, 2023.) Tulsi being Vishnu Priya, is wedded to Shaligram on this day to invoke Shri Hari Vishnu and seek His blessings. Dev Deepawali (Purnima Tithi begins at 03:53 pm on Nov 26, 2023 and ends at 02:45 pm on Nov 27, 2023, Pooja Mahoorat is from 05:08 pm to 07:47 pm): On Kartik Poornima, Brahma ji incarnated from Brahma Sarovar, Pushkar. It is also called Tripurari Poornima because on this tithi Tripurari Shiv performed Tandav and burnt the settlements of Tarakasur’s three sons Tarakah, Kamalaksh and Vidyutmali, and then descends to bathe in the holy Ganga. There is no questioning of the wisdom of our rishis Since Diwali time is early winter when cold winds start blowing, the rituals and foods are recommended in ayurvedic ritucharya to suit the changing weather. The consumption of sweets, sugarcane, new rice, dairy products, sesame, ghee, etc. for high energy levels, vyayam/ exercise, abhyanga/ oil massage and lepas, atapa sevana/ sunbath were very thoughtfully prescribed. There is no questioning of the wisdom of our rishis. Do not let the fabricated narrative around Deepawali kill the divinity, charm and grandeur that our ancestors have passed down to us generation after generation. Deepawali illuminates Bharat from earth to the skies. This Deepawali, Hindus must light up every mandir with deepaks even if it lies in ruins; because as per Shastra, once pratishthit the Deity never leaves the mandir even if the pratima or the mandir structure is damaged. Hindus have had a long history of tapasvis, kings and commoners engaging in reconstruction of mandirs, let us pledge this Deepawali to reclaim what is rightfully ours, our mandirs. Shubh Deepawali. The author professionally is a hospitality entrepreneur. She is an avid history buff and perpetually researches episodes where history was faulted to manufacture faux narratives. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.  Read all the  Latest News ,  Trending News ,  Cricket News ,  Bollywood News , India News  and  Entertainment News  here. Follow us on  Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram .