History of Diwali or Deepawali or Deepavali

Diwali is one of the biggest festivals of Hindus.This is also known as Deepawali, and Deepavali. The history of Diwali is basically based on the divine story of Lord Ram. This festival is celebrated in the remembrance of Arrival of Lord Ram, along with Lord Laxman and goddess Sita to Ayodhya after the exile of 14 years and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana.
When Lord Ram along with his followers entered the kingdom of Ayodhya, His ministers informed the subjects about their arrival. Each and every one was so happy that they were thinking of welcoming them in the best way. They all cleaned their houses properly, lightened their houses with the clay lamps (Diya or Deepak in Hindi), and the firelights (mashals). When Lord Ram reached the palace, they all gathered to meet him. Lord Ram met his subjects one by one and hugged them all. They all were so delighted thay they were imagining Lord Ram everywhere around them. Subjects hugged each other and distributed sweets to the others.

The word Diwali is basically a Sanskrit word (an ancient language of Aryans), which means the “row or clay lamps”. The word Deepawali which is sometimes written as Deepavali conveys the same meaning as Diwali. Now, as you know that when Lord Ram came back whole of their kingdom was decorated by the rows of clay lamps by his subjects and Since then this festival is known as “Diwali”. By this light of clay lamps they not only lightened their housed but, they also reflected the brightness and the holiness of their hearts.

Hence Diwali is a festival of Lights, delights, and Devotion. It lightens our homes and our hearts.

As we know that the king of Lanka who is known as Ravan, was famous for his cruelty. He also kidnapped Goddess Sita (The wife of Lord Ram ). The kingdom of Ravan was full of devils except few like Vibhishan. In search of Goddess Sita, Lord Ram reached Lanka (at present known as Sri Lanka). He fought with the Devil Ravan. At last Lord killed Ravan by with an arrow. It simply, tells us that the end of evil is always bad. So, we separately celebrates this festival as” Dussehra”. But Dussehra is also a part of Diwali. Dussehra or Dushera is celebrated 20 days before Deepavali. It means that, Lord Ram first killed Ravan on the day of dashmi (tenth day of hindu months), and then he could reached Ayodhya after 20 days.

1fThe history of five days of celebration of the largest festival of India;Diwali is given below:

1. The first day of Diwali is celebrated on Dhanvantari Triyodashi or Dhanwantari Triodashi which is called DhanTeras. The history of Ramayan suggests that, this day is devoted to the lord dhanvantari (“the physician of gods” ) who was th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this day people clean their houses and decorate the houses to wecome the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi along with Lord Dhanwantari.

2. The Second Day of diwali is celebrated as Narak Chaturdai. It is the fourteenth lunar day. This celebration and puja is done on the eve of the month of kartik (eighth month of hindu calendar).This day is celebrated as the Lord Krishna killed the demon Narkasur and made the world free from his cruelty and fear.

3. The celebration of third day of Diwali is the actual Deepawali. On this day worship of Goddess Lakshmi (goddess Laxmi) is done along with Lord Ganesh and Goddess Sarswati. This worship is done to pray them for happy, wealthy and divine life of human beings with the deep knowledge of divinity.

4. Fourth day celebration is focused on Govardhan pooja. It the the day on which Lord Krishna took the help of Divine Mountain Govardhan and lift him on his finger in order to protect his subjects from heavy rain and flood. So on this day, people pray to Divine Goverdhan to always protect them from natural calamities.

Fifth day of “Diwali” is known as Bhai dooj or Bhatri dooj. This day is dedicated to sisters. Acoording to the legend, this is the day when Lord Krishna reached his sister Subhadra after killing the demon Narkasur. Where, she welcomes her brother with flowers, sweets and clay lamp etc. Keeping his legend in mind she put the protected tilak on the forhead of Lord Krishna wishing him best wishes. So, this last last day of deepavali is celebrated in a big way.

Above is the brief history behind the big celebration of festival of Diwali.