Tuesday 25 October 2011

Diwali/Deepawali


Few years back I tried to explain what Diwali (दिवाळी/दिवाली)  is to my American friends. Same thoughts once again for my young urban friends.

Diwali festival generally extends for 6 days. Diwali is as the name suggests is a festival of light. Diwa (दिवा) = Deep (दीप) = Lamp. Diwali has its origin in the socio-economic aspect of the Indian civilization during last many centuries. India has traditionally been an agricultural economy. Even today about 70% of the Indian population is engaged in the agriculture sector. Cow has been the main resource for the Indians, particularly in the past. The number of cows one owned judged richness / affluence of an individual. The most valuable donation in that era was donating a cow. Rightly so as the entire economy evolved round the cow. The cow produced bulls that helped the farmers in various agriculture operations. The bullocks in the past did all the operations that are being done mechanically by the machines in present era. The bullocks helped farmers not only on the field but also off the field. Bullocks were of help to draw the carts to the market place to transport the agricultural produce. The agro waste product of the harvested crops was the fodder for the consumption by the cows and the bulls. The cow dung was the best organic manure available for the farms. There is no better example of bio-degradation than this. Cow was therefore the mainstay of all the economic activities.  Diwali is celebrated in the post-harvesting period. Rainy season is over and the agriculture operations are over for a while. The produce is already in the market or part of it is sold and part is stored for the lean season. The farmers are loaded with the money. This is the time to relax and enjoy.

Great preparations are made for Diwali. The houses are cleaned, fresh coat of paint is applied. Renovations are carried out or even new houses are built or bought. New clothes are bought for everyone in the family. Loads of snacks are prepared in advance for consumption and distribution to the near and dear ones. Purchase of gold ornaments, new gadgets, land etc is done in this period. Climatically it is early winter and is a refreshing break for the farmers who have to, soon after the festivities, get ready for fresh farming operations. During Diwali houses are illuminated. Traditionally earthenware lamps with oil and cotton wicks are used for this purpose, rightly so as there was no electricity about a century and half back. The courtyards are leveled and sprinkled with mixture of water and cow dung that is well recognized for its antibacterial properties. These courtyards are then decorated with Rangoli (रांगोळी /रंगोली), drawings drawn with a special powder of selected white stones. This powder is also at times brightly coloured for enhanced decorative effect.

The first day of Diwali is known as Go - Baras (बारस) or Vasu Baras (वासू बारस). The word Baras means Twelve. ‘Go’  (गो) is cow and Vasu is cowherd. As the festival falls on the 12th day of the second fortnight of the month Ashvin (अश्विन) of the Indian calendar, the word Baras has been used. On this day Cow and the Calf are worshiped. This is a sort of thanks giving function. Cows and calves are fed with choicest food. The cowherds dance and rejoice on this day. The cattle is given a bath, decorated and draped in special costume. In the evenings the cowherds takes pride to parade their possession and visit their friends and relations.

The second day of Diwali is Dhan Teras. Dhan is wealth and Teras or Treyodashi (त्रेयोदशी) is thirteenth day. On this day Wealth is worshipped. All the account books, stocks, cash and coins along with the idols of Lord Ganesh (गणेश) and Godess Mahalakshmi (महालक्ष्मी) (Goddess of Wealth) are placed on decorated platform or dais and worshipped. Seasonal flowers, especially Marigold and seasonal fruits are offered. Coriander seed and joggery, i.e. unrefined sugar, along with puffed rice known as Lahya (लाह्या), are offered to the Goddess. Panchamrut (पंचामृत) a combination of milk, yoghurt, sugar, ghee (तूप, घी) (clarified butter) and honey mixed together is offered to the goddess and later distributed to family members and friends who attend the function. It’s like a nectar. This Puja ( पूजा, worship ritual) is done after the sunset. Crackers are burst during the Puja. Feasting is on through out the day.

The following day is Narak Chaturdashi (नरक चतुर्दशी). Again Chaturdashi (चतुर्दशी) is Fourteenth day and Narak (नरक) means Hell. In the Indian mythology there was a demon named Narakasur (नरकासुर). Narak (Hell) symbolizes dirt and message is to clean the dirty surroundings. God in a battle defeated this demon and to commemorate that victory this day is celebrated. It is customary to get up early in the morning and take bath before sunrise. The male folk in the house get oil massage from their sisters, mother and other female relatives and then a hot water bath is given. During the bath certain powdered herbs, which work as scrub, cleansing agents and astringent are applied. This sweet smelling powder is know as Utane (उटणे/उगटन)  that has rejuvenating properties and acts as a skin tonic. During bath the female folk applies Tilak (तिलक,red herbal powder) on the forehead and a small quantity of uncooked rice which symbolizes prosperity is put on the head as blessings. Five lamps are lighted and are moved in circular motion in front of the person in a traditional way. This is called as Aukshan (औक्षण), which means long healthy life. Every one is ready in a new dress well before the sunrise, this makes lot of time available to visit friend and relations. Every place wherever one goes, snack and sweets are offered. The day is spent in feasting. In the evening again Lakshmi Puja (लक्ष्मी पूजा) is done like the previous day and crackers are burst.

Lakshmi Pujan (लक्ष्मी पूजन) is on the next day which is the last day of the month of Ashvin in the Indian calendar. This is the main day of the festival. The worship of the wealth is done on larger scale in the evening. The bankers, moneylenders, stockbrokers have greater importance for this day. Festivities, meeting friends and relations mark this day. In certain communities, gambling with (playing) cards, on this day is considered to be a good omen.

The following day is the first day of the new month Kartik (कार्तिक). It is also a New Year day for some communities. On this day mother anoints her sons with oil and herbal powders and offers special prepared delicacies in the meals. The same is done by wife for her husband and by daughters for their father. In the evening a procedure of applying Tilak, showering uncooked rice and lighting oil lamps is done by mother for her sons and by wife for her husband. The male folk have to offer gifts to mother, wife and daughters on this occasion. This day is very important to business community, as it’s the New Year day for them. They start new account books on this day. Even the stock market is open in the evening on this day to commence formal business.

The last day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj (भाई दूज). Dooj (दूज) is the second day of the month and Bhai (भाई) is brother. The royal and loving treatment that mother offers to her sons on the previous day, on this day is by sisters to their brothers. And of course the gifts for the sisters are must. The almost week long festival comes to an end with this. Revival of family ties, get together, feasting mark Diwali. Every one prays for economic prosperity, health and happiness on this occasion. The significance for urban population, salaried employees and businessman might have undergone a change during last few decades, but the spirit is the same. The economic situations have certainly changed but festivities are still the same. May these festivities continue in this era of globalization.

Happy Diwali.