Diipaawalii दीपावली (popularly known as Diwali दिवाली), the annual Lamp-Festival of India, is undoubtedly the most famous Indian festival all over the world and is concurrently celebrated by the Indian diasporas in every corner of the globe. This festival, though originally religious in character, has acquired more social dimensions in modern days and can be seen as a manifestation of all that is truly ‘Indian’ in nature.

As per the Shaka calendar, Diipaawalii begins on the 12th day of the dark fortnight of aashwina (आश्विन) month and culminates on the 2nd day of the bright half of the kaartika (कार्तिक) month. The 1st day of kaartika month also marks the beginning of the year for the wikrama (विक्रम) calendar. Hence, is also celebrated as the Hindu New Year day, generally by North Indians and specifically by businessmen. This year it will be celebrated from 23rd Oct to 28th Oct 2011, 26th October being Laksmii-puujaa day.

In Sanskrit, diipa (दीप) means ‘lamp’ and aawalii (आवली) means ‘row’. Lighting a row of small oil-lamps surrounding the home is the main ritual highlight of this festival, hence it is called Diipaawalii. It is a celebration of light – the physical one, as well as the light of truth, knowledge and consciousness. It is also the festival of prosperity, since abundance of all domesticities is witnessed everywhere.

 

Social aspect:

In India, festivals are related to agriculture. Diipaawalii occurs at a time when agricultural yield is sold off and payments for the same received, so people are financially prosperous. Again, vegetation is also abundant and cattle are healthy. There is abundance of food grain, vegetation and milk products everywhere. All this contributes towards a bountiful celebration and hence, diipaawalii becomes a festival of prosperity.

Each day of Diipaawalii bears its own significance and a resultant name as follows:

Generally, the naraka-chaturdashii and lakshmii-puujaa occur on the same day owing to lunar calculations of dates. It is the most important day and is considered to be Diwali-day in general and grand celebrations, fireworks, etc. occur on this particular day.

Celebrations:

• Lighting oil lamps surrounding the house and hanging lanterns in balconies is the main feature of the festival.


• Drawing Rangoli designs at the entrance of the door.


• Making new purchases, new clothes being the most common purchase.


• Fireworks is an inevitable part of the festival. During early mornings and evenings, people generally burn sparkles and firecrackers outside homes and on the streets.


• Visiting the local temple and offering flowers to the deities in the early morning.


• Sending Diipaawalii greeting cards to relatives, friends and well-wishers well in advance, etc.

‘Diipaawalii sweets’ is something which people anxiously await. There are about 30-40 different types of traditional dry sweets and other delicacies that are prepared during diipaawalii. Exchanging boxes of sweets among relatives, neighbors and friends is a commonly practiced custom.

Hindu Financial New Year

Diipaawalii, being the festival of wealth and prosperity and also the Hindu Financial New Year, is quite significant for the business community.

On the New Moon day, the sun enters the tulaa (तुला Libra) constellation, which represented by the weighing balance is believed to suggest the balancing & closing of old books and opening new books of accounts.

Businessmen perform Lakshmii Puujaa at their work-premises, open new account-books and transact some symbolic sales to initiate a gainful business throughout the year.

Business owners give sweets, gifts and bonus payments to employees. Similarly, even at homes, people give clothes, gifts, sweets and bonus payments to domestic helpers, watchmen, post-men, the working class, etc.

It is customary to say “Shubha-Diipaawalii” (शुभ दीपावली) in Hindi or just ‘Happy Diwali’ in English, while greeting people during the Diwali season.