Archana Shekara
Oil lamps used in Deepavali celebrations are lit in earthenware pots. People do use candles but oil lamps are usually preferred.
Deepavali or Diwali is the Hindu festival celebrating the return of Lord Rama to his capital city Ayodhya. People welcomed the king's return by decorating their homes with Rangoli (intricate patterns on the floor) and rows of lights. Deepavali means a row of light or series of light..
Deepavali falls on October or November depending on the Lunar calendar. A few Hindus celebrate the festival as their new year. The lightening of the lamp during the new moon day symbolizes the removal of darkness and ignorance from our lives and welcoming light and prosperity. The hymn or shloka is chanted along with shanthi (peace) mantra:
Aum asato ma sadgamaya
Tamasoma jyothir gamaya
Mrtyomamrtam gamaya
Aum Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi hi
Lead us from the unreal to real
Lead us from darkness to light
Lead us from death to immortality
Aum peace, peace, peace!
The festival is celebrated for five or three days. In north India it is celebrated for five days. The first day is Dhantheras where Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu is worshiped for good health, love and prosperity. The second day is celebrated as Naraka chathurdasi. Lord Krishna (avatar of Lord Vishnu) liberated 16,000 women who were kidnapped by king Narakasura. People celebrate the day to mark liberation of soul reaching the divine. The third day is New moon and is Deepavali. It celebrates the return of Lord Rama (avatar of Lord Vishnu), his consort Seeta and his brother Lakshmana along with his greatest devotee Hanuman to Ayodhya the capital city of Khosala. On this day, Goddess DhanaLakshmi is worshipped for wealth and prosperity. The fourth day is Bali Padyami which commemorates the return of king Bali to Earth. King Bali was sent to the underworld or Pataala Loka by Lord Vamana (avatar of Lord Vishnu) to rule the underworld. King Bali was a great devotee and a generous donor who donated the entire Earth, Sky (ether) and finally himself (surrendering oneself) to the Lord. The last day is Bhai Dooj which celebrates the bonding between brothers and sisters.
During Deepavali, friends and families get together to celebrate the festival. The festival is celebrated in the evening with lightning of lamps and fireworks. Traditional Indian vegetarian dishes and sweets are exchanged as people celebrate the festival collectively.