Hero’s welcome, a momentous occasion and happy union...the legends behind Deepavali are many. Here’s a look at some:
The royals return
This is the most popular legend associated with the festival, based on the epic Ramayana.
It was a dark, moonless night when King Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya. They had been in exile for 14 years. They had faced many trials and tribulations, the chief among them being the battle with Ravana. But, all that was forgotten when they returned to their beloved kingdom and saw the joy with which the people welcomed them. Clay lamps lined the streets, and were placed outside every home. Even today, people light lamps outside their homes.
People living in the mountains did not know immediately that their king had returned. They knew of it only a month later. Which is why it is believed that the people in certain parts of Kullu, Sirmaur, Shimla districts celebrate it a month later. It is known as ‘Budhi’ or ‘Andheri’ Deepavali.
The other Indian epic, Mahabharata, also lends itself to the reason for celebration. The five Pandava brothers were reluctant to have anything to do with their cousins the Kauravas. But, the Kauravas were persistent and managed to trick them and as fate would have it, they lost. As a forfeit, they were banished for 12 years. At the end of the exile, when the Pandavas returned to Hastinapur, on Kartik Amavasya, the entire kingdom rejoiced. And, just as it is done today, everyone decorated their homes and lit earthen lamps. And, thus was born Deepavali.
Heavenly union
Women perform 'aarti' with unseen Chief Minister of western Gujarat state Narendra Modi at a shrine of Goddess Ambema at a Garba Dance venue in Ahmedabad, late on September 20, 2009. Modi was the chief guest at the Garba organised by the Gujarat Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officers' Wives Association (GIASOWA). AFP PHOTO/ Sam PANTHAKY
Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, is born out of the oceans when the devas and asuras churn it in search of powers that can bestow immortality on them. When the goddess emerges, she has to make a choice between the two warring groups, and ends up choosing to be with Lord Vishnu, a deva . Some communities celebrate her manifestation from the divine ocean by performing Lakshmi puja on Deepavali day.
Sibling love
CHANDIGARH 16/10/2009 A little girl lighting the lamps with the valunteers of All India Anti Terrorist Front to form a rangoli of lamps at city centre in Chandigarh on Friday, October 16 2009. Photo: Akhilesh_Kumar
In north India, Deepavali is a five-day festival — Dhanteras, Lakshmi Puja, Deepavali, Annakut and Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej.
According to one legend, the God of Death, Yamraj, visited his sister, Yamuna, on this day. Another story of when Krishna returned victorious after killing the demon king Narakasura, his sister Subhadra welcomed him with an aarti and smeared a tilak on his forehead. Following the tradition, sisters perform this ritual for their brothers on this day.
Other celebrations
For the followers of the Jain faith, Deepavali is the day Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last tirthankara, is said to have attained Nirvana, the highest state of spirituality. The day is also referred to as “Mahavira Nirvana Divas”, and the celebrations are similar.
While the Sikhs traditionally celebrated Deepavali along with the Hindus, the day gained more significance as Bandi Chhor Divas (Day of Liberation). It is the day when their sixth Guru Hargobind, after being released from the Gwalior Fort prison by Mughal emperor Jahangir, arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in the early 17th century.
End of evil
VIJAYAWADA, ANDHRA PRADESH, 19/10/2017. A huge cut-out of Narakasura burnt as part of Naraka Chaturdasi festival at Pavitra Sangamam at Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada on Wednesday .Photo: Ch.Vijaya Bhaskar
In some parts of the country, Deepavali is celebrated a day before as Choti Deepavali and marks the day when Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura and set free the 16,000 women that he held in captivity. The day is also known as Naraka Chaturdashi. In some states like Goa, effigies of Narakasura are burnt early in the morning, and firecrackers are burst, after which people take the traditional oil bath.
