Diwali is sweet. It brings the memories of sweetness. Diwali is a festival of sweetness - sweet to all the senses and mind! I always welcome the festival in my heart, although it is considered as the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in the month of October or November which falls in the autumn season in the northern hemisphere.
Diwali - Deepavali - the Festival of Lights
The word "Diwali" or "Deepavali" literally means - decoration with lights. It is one of the most glamorous and important festivals which is enthusiastically enjoyed by the Indians. It is a festival
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by displaying lights in and around houses. It is a great occasion of removing all vices from lives and welcoming brightness into hearts. This theme - Victory of Light over darkness - attracts me, leading my thoughts to the Christian festival Easter which commemorates the Victory of Jesus over sin and Darkness.
My sad memory of Diwali - My Bitter Experience!
The festival of Diwali always brings a sad memory to my thoughts, which I would like to share here for a better understanding. I wrote an article on Diwali, ten years ago, comparing it with the Christian festival Easter. The title of the article was "Deepavali the Indian Easter". Throughout the article, I insisted the point of "victory over evil". Unfortunately, it brought a negative comment, as if celebrating it was a great sacrilege! I had never meant anything against any religion or provoked any ill feeling.
Every religion is for peace and prosperity
The main purpose of every religion is to bring all people under one fold as the children of God and foster peace and
Religion should never, intrinsically, be a cause or a source of conflict. It is always for peace and prosperity. But when a particular religion is infected with selfishness or egoism, it loses its purpose and becomes destructive. Although it might have begun in solidarity and purity, it eventually is allowed to contaminate and degenerate. That is why we see throughout history innumerable crimes and bloodsheds, committed in the name of religions.
Diwali - festival of good understanding
Every festival is expected to promote solidarity and good understanding. But when it is corrupted by greed, power, arrogance, and egoism, etc., misunderstanding and misinterpretation creep in, leading to chaos. It happens easily when festivals are commercialized. Consumerism and commercialism divert the attention of the people from the real purpose of the festivals. They make them get interested in mere pomp and show, creating unhealthy feelings in society. If one looks deep into the celebrations of Diwali, he/she can well understand the great meaning of the festival - sharing joy and prosperity with others.
Diwali is celebrated in India and other countries on 19th October of this year. May this social and cultural festival bring peace and prosperity to all. Let all the evils that divide and darken humanity be destroyed by the Divine Powers! Let us welcome Diwali and share its sweetness! Diwali is always sweet!
Happy Diwali to all!
