Legends: When Lord Ram returned to the city of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, his subjects cleaned the houses and welcomed him by lighting lamps. The advent and coronation of Lord Ram, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, as the king of Ayodhya is celebrated as Diwali. Ram was the greatest of the hero-kings of India. Ram's glorious reign marked the removal of spiritual darkness from the world and the illuminations symbolize Ram’s leading of the world to light from darkness.
According to another tradition, when the ocean was churned in Satyuga, the joy was expressed by lighting a lamp on the appearance of Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi on Kartik Amavasya.
As per another legend, when Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura, king of Pragjyotish who delighted in filth, and freed the people from his terror, the people of Dwarka thanked him by lighting a lamp. Deepavali is re-commemoration of the historical event of Dwapar Yug. Some scholars decipher the Narkasur episode in different way. According to them, this demon of filth is possibly the south-west monsoon that deluges a good part of the country, and Diwali that comes in autumn at the end of the monsoon, was celebrated in pre-historic India to express the joyous relief from the tyranny of the deluge. It is interesting to note in this connection that Krishna and the Govardhan mountain are also worshipped during Diwali.
On Kartik Amavasya, the Pandavas returned to Hastinapur after completing thirteen years of ‘agyatvaas’ (अज्ञातवास - exile) and the people celebrated their advent by lighting ‘diyas’ (दिया -oil lamp).
As per another legend, Diwali marks the coronation of king Vikramaditya. Vikramaditya has inspired many an ancient tale. The era that goes by his name is forty-eight years older than the Christian era, and this would indicate that Vikramaditya lived in the first century before Christ. Samrat Vikramaditya’s coronation is said to mark the Vikram era.
Why Lamps are Lighted on Diwali: In traditional Indian culture, the lamp is considered a symbol of truth and knowledge, because it burns itself, but gives light to others. Due to this characteristic of the lamp, it is considered as the form of Brahma (ब्रह्म) in religious scriptures. Hindus believe that 'Deepdan' (दीपदान – lighting oil lamps) imparts strength - physical as well as spiritual. Where the light of the sun cannot reach, the light of the lamp reaches. Therefore, in Rig Veda, a lamp is explained as 'Suryansh Sambhavo Deepah' (सूर्यान्श सम्भवो दीपः) meaning a lamp (deepak - दीपक) has originated from a part of sun. The same treatise proclaims that Sage Bhrigu had invented Agni (fire). Thus, Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and light over darkness. Interestingly, it coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, marking new beginnings. Oil lamps are lighted to celebrate and commemorate various incidents on Kartik Amavasya (Diwali) like Ram’s advent in Ayodhya after killing Ravan; Narkasur’s killing in the hands of Lord Krishna; appearance of Dhanvantari & Goddess Lakshmi during Samudra Manthan; coronation of Samrat Vikramaditya; Pandava’s return to Hastinapur after ‘agyatvas’ etc.
Celebration of Diwali in Ayodhya: Special worship rituals are performed by the priests and the devotees in every temple like Ram Temple, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan etc. Since the Ram Mandir construction at Ram Janmabhoomi has commenced in Ayodhya in the year 2021, the Diwali celebration at grand scale will take place after 492 years. Ram Lalla, the child form of Lord Ram, will be worshipped. Vedic hymns, ‘shlokas’, ‘bhajan’and ‘kirtan’ are recited in every household. On the ghats of River Saryu, especially on Ram ki Paidi, thousands of earthen lamps are lighted by the faithful. On the occasion of Diwali, every house gets decorated with scores of brightly-lit ‘diyas’. Though every section of society celebrates Diwali with gusto but the importance of the festival is greatly enhanced by the fact that it is the greatest festival of the wealthy mercantile communities of India; for them the festival is doubly important as marking the New Year beginning with the month of Kartik and involving the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. They usually paint and white-wash their houses and business premises, open new account books and generally start everything afresh on Diwali. Earthen oil lamps, candles, and electric lights are lit throughout the nights. Sweetmeats are distributed freely, and even the poor don new gay clothes. With the usual illuminations go crackers and fireworks, dear to children for whom Diwali is perhaps the gayest festival. The gaiety of Diwali is heightened by playing games of chance.
A modern development of Diwali celebrations is the sending of greeting cards, wishing friends and relatives a ‘Happy Diwali and Prosperous New Year’ on the lines of Christmas and New Year greetings.
Diwali – Days, Dates & Years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|
| 2020 | November 14 | Saturday |
| 2021 | November 4 | Thursday |
| 2022 | October 24 | Monday |
| 2023 | November 12 | Sunday |
| 2024 | October 31 | Thursday |
| 2025 | October 21 | Tuesday |