Students Celebrate Diwali
Marist students celebrate Diwali. Source: Ava Herring
Last Friday, the celebration of Diwali returned to Marist. Many of the students here at Marist expressed their joy of the event returning. Numerous foreign exchange students said that the celebration made them feel welcome.
So, what is Diwlai? Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is mainly celebrated by Hindus and people who follow the religion of Hinduism, but is also celebrated by Bhuddists, Jains, and Sikhs. It celebrates good over evil, light over darkness, joy instead of despair and is the most important holiday of the year in South Asia. All throughout Diwali, you will see people lighting sparklers and setting off fireworks to scare away evil spirits with their loud noises and bright colors. Diwali is celebrated in numerous ways all throughout India over a five day period.
The first day of Diwali, referred to as 'Dhanteras' or 'Dhantrayodashi,' is dedicated to Lord Dhanwantari and is a day of healing where people chant powerful mantras. On this day, there is a tradition of taking a holy bath at sunset, lighting a diya lamp around a 'Tulsi' plant and praying to Lord Yama for their well-being.
The second day, Narak Chaturdasi, the significance of this day is grounded in the story of Lord Krishna. On this day, people clean their homes and use fragrant oils and flowers to keep vibrations and spirits uplifted. Artistic patterns of 'rangolis,' a mixture of rice flour and water, can be seen at the threshold of each house. A 'diya' is placed in each room as well as in the backyard through the night.
The third day of Diwali is one of the most festive of the five days and is based on the story of Lord Rama finally returning home from exile after 14 years of living in the forest and being welcomed back with a shining row of lights from every household. The word 'Deepavali' means an array of lights.
Every house is covered in festive lights and there are fireworks lighting up the sky. Households are hectic and full of activity as preparation for Lakshmi puja are being made to honor the Goddess of wealth. A pandit performs the puja ceremony while family members participate in the rituals and offerings. Distribution of sweets and 'prasad' follows. In West Bengal, the night is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali.
On the fourth day of this Hindu festival, Govardhan Puja is performed. There are huge gatherings of crowds in temples, where deities are bathed ritualistically and adorned with beautiful ornaments. Most households mark this day by wearing new clothes and jewellery, greeting family members and also distributing sweets and gifts among friends and neighbors.
The last day of Diwali, 'Bhai Dooj,' marks the end of this five day Hindu festival. This day is dedicated to the relationship between a brother and a sister. The festival is associated with the legendary tale of brotherly love between Lord Yama and his sister Yami. After several decades of separation, Lord Yama decided to visit his sister. Yami welcomed her brother and put a tilak on his forehead to mark the occasion. To commemorate this bond between siblings, a 'teeka' of rice and vermilion is applied to the brother's forehead by his sister, followed by 'arti' and partaking of sweets. Usually a meal consisting of special dishes and sweet delicacies follows. The brother promises to protect his sister while his sister prays for her brother's longevity.
Like so many other holidays around the world, Diwali is centered around relationships between family and friends. It’s about communities coming together, exchanging gifts, and sharing feasts together.