We all have grown up enjoying this beautiful festival of lights, where the house will smell of the amazing sweets, skies full of fire crackers and how can we forget the new clothes we got to buy every year especially for Diwali. In a Hindu family, there can be no bigger event than the festival of Diwali. There is a completely different level of celebration in the air and the slowly changing winter months make it even more magical. But have you ever thought what was the relevance of this festival and why we celebrated it with lights? And exactly what is the story of Diwali?
Well, we have the answer, read on to know why?
There was a wise king of Ayodhya, named Dasharatha. He had two wives Kaikeyi and Kaushalya. The eldest son of kaushalya was prince Ram. To prevent him from ascending the thorne of ayodhya, Kaikeyi asked for a grant of her 2 wishes that Dashratha had promised her in the past. She asks for,
- Rama to go for Vanvaas (Stay in forest) without any luxuries of his kingdom but only handloom clothes and covers.
2. Her son Bharath will be made the new king in the absence of Rama.
Following his fathers orders, the devout son goes away on forest stay for fourteen years. His wife sita and younger brother Lakshman follow him to his vanvaas. After completing almost 13 years in the forest, Sita is abducted by the demon king Ravana and taken to his island country Lanka, where she stays for a year. Eventually, Ram and lakshman along with their vaanar sena find sita and Kill the demon king Ravana on the day of Dusherra. Since then 14 years have ended by now, they together start their journey towards Ayodhya. It takes them 20 days to reach ayodhya by foot and this is the reason why Diwali falls exactly 20 days after Dusherra.
On learning about the great feat of their beloved prince Rama, the entire ayodhya gets very happy and want to celebrate their homecoming after 14 years by lighting lamps. Since that time people decorate their houses with Diyas (lamps) every years to celebrate the victory of light that signifies Good and Truth, over Darkness which is associated to evil and lies.
Lights are also used as a way to eliminate darkness. Light brings us joy and a bright inspiration to your soul. A single earthen lamp has the potential to light up 100 other lamps without giving away even a single bit of its light away, and hence, this Diya signifies the power of giving and sharing. It shows the great Rama’s devotion to his parents in giving away the kingdom and following their orders.
Diwali is a festival about self reflection. A way to associate with your darker thoughts and kill them with all the bright goodness of the lights.
This Diwali learn to speak the truth, follow the path of Dharma and always remember that even though it may take as long as 14 years to happen, but the truth shall always win.
May this Diwali bring in bright joy with those burning flames and may all the hurdles fall short in front of your truth. Wish you all a Happy and Prosperous Diwali.
