India is the only country in the world that has wide diversity and cultures
and people of many religions including Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian
live peacefully here. Due to the many religions and cultures, many festivals
are celebrated in India. Diwali, the festival of lights, is an important
festival in India. Diwali is mainly celebrated by Hindus, and it is one of
their biggest festivals. However, other religions also participate in
gatherings and celebrations in some areas to show their respect, support,
and unity.
In this article, we are learning an essay on Diwali. This article discusses
the introduction of Diwali, its significance, characteristics, rituals
involved, and other essential details in a neat presentation covering the
essay in more than 1500 words. Apart from this, it also presents the summary
of 10 lines essay for kids and
students looking for a
short essay on Diwali.
Introduction to Diwali
Being one of the biggest festivals in India, or even the world, Diwali
brings happiness, peace, health, wealth, and prosperity to one's life. It
symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil (bad), and
knowledge over ignorance. It is also called the "festival of lights", as Diwali celebrants illuminate their homes using candles, traditional
earthen lamps, or artificial electric lighting. It is also called "Deepawali" or “Dipawali”.
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Diwali is most loved by kids and children as they get new clothes, sweets,
gifts, and crackers on this special day. Apart from this, youths also
celebrate this day considering it a good time to start something new or
something productive for positive changes in their life. In fact,
businessmen consider this day as the beginning of the financial New Year.
Since Diwali is believed to bring prosperity and wealth, people clean their
homes, offices, shops, etc., light up and worship Lord Ganesha and
Goddess Lakshmi.
When is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali is a much-awaited festival celebrated by the Hindus every year. It is
celebrated exactly 20 days after another Hindu festival Dussehra. Diwali is
usually celebrated every year on the day of Amavasya (New Moon Day)
of the month of Kartik based on the Hindi calendar. Based on the
English calendar, it usually falls in the last week of October or early
November every year. It is also noteworthy that Diwali is celebrated for
five consecutive days with different rituals involved on each day.
According to Hindu culture and beliefs, Amavasya is considered a time of
great power and spirits. Most Amavasya days are considered inauspicious and
hence people are advised to stay away from bad things, actions, or negative
thoughts on these days. However, Kartik Amavasya – the new moon day of the
Hindu festival of Diwali, is considered auspicious for worshiping deities
(especially Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi), and thus pujas
are conducted.
Why is Diwali celebrated?
There are many historical and mythological stories based on different
regions on why Diwali is celebrated. Many deities, cultures, and traditions
are associated with the holy festival of Diwali. Some of the popular beliefs
or traditions for celebrating Diwali are as follows:
Lord Rama’s Return to Ayodhya
The most common belief or widely accepted mythology for celebrating the
Diwali festival is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, a city in
Uttar Pradesh,
India. According to the Hindu scripture, called Ramayana, Lord Rama
(along with Sita and his brother Lakshmana) returned to
Ayodhya on this holy day after defeating Ravana, the demon king of
Lanka, during his 14-year exile. Also, he was coronated and the whole city
was decorated with colorful flowers, rangoli, and ghee lamps (traditional
earthen lamps/ diyas). People celebrated the occasion by exchanging sweets.
Goddess Lakshmi’s Birth
Another story of celebrating the Diwali festival is rooted in the birth of
Goddess Lakshmi. According to Hindu Puranas, Maa Lakshmi was
born on the new moon day of Kartik month. Hence, many people celebrate
Diwali as the birthday of Maa Lakshmi and perform different rituals.
People worship Maa Lakshmi and wish for their wealthy and prosperous
life as Goddess Lakshmi is considered the 'Goddess of Wealth'.
Lord Vishnu Killed Narakasura
Another popular legend for celebrating Diwali is that
Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Krishna and killed the demon
Narakasura, eventually releasing 16,000 captive girls. The victory
here symbolizes the victory of good (Lord Krishna) over evil (the demon
Narakasura), which became the reason for the festival and is still
celebrated.
The Harvest Festival
As it is well known that India's economy is largely based on agriculture, it
is mainly the source of wealth and prosperity for Indian farmers. At the
time of the Diwali festival, it is very common to see farmers (especially in
the southern region of India) starting to cultivate rice and other things.
Hence, the day of Diwali is like a time of celebration for these farmers and
their families, who wish for goodness and celebrate the festival with joy
and happiness. This is the reason why Diwali is also called the “harvest festival” or “festival of harvest” in many Indian regions.
Other Sayings
Many Hindus consider the Diwali festival to be directly related to
Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu. According to some
mythology, the day when Goddess Lakshmi married Lord Vishnu is
called the day of Diwali and hence it is celebrated accordingly. Since
Goddess Lakshmi is considered the 'goddess of wealth', it is fruitful
to worship her on this holy day and wish for wealth and prosperity.
In addition, many Hindus living in East Indian regions associate Diwali with
Goddess Durga or Goddess Kali. Also, very few Hindus consider
Diwali as the beginning of a new year and set new goals and objectives for a
prosperous life ahead.
How is Diwali celebrated?
As said earlier, Diwali is one of the biggest and most awaited festivals in
India. The festival lasts for five days and each day has its own religious
and cultural beliefs. Hence, all five days are celebrated with joy and
happiness by people all over India. These days include the following:
First Day: Dhanteras
The first day of Diwali is considered to be the worship of wealth. Hindus
worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day and go to the market to buy
something new for their use. People often plan to buy something valuable on
this day. For example- a new vehicle, jewelry, property, or other things.
Second Day: Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali
On the second day of Diwali, it is believed that people should wake up early
in the morning (before sunrise) and apply ubtan (made of Ganga Jal, rose
water, sesame oil, or any other aromatic oil and some important ingredients)
on the body before bath. Afterward, they are required to take a holy bath or
Abhyang Snan to wash away all the sins and impurities from their lives.
Additionally, people clean their homes, offices, and shops and decorate them
with diyas, lights, flowers, and other decorative items.
Third Day: Main Diwali or Lakshmi Puja
The third day of Diwali is the main festival day. On this festive day in the
evening, people worship Lord Ganesha (god of new beginnings, wisdom,
and good fortune) and Maa Lakshmi (god of wealth) with great devotion
and various sweets. People wear new clothes, meet their relatives and
neighbors, and enjoy by lighting diyas and bursting some crackers. People
believe that on this day Lord Ganesha and Maa Lakshmi come
home and bless all the family members, and the poverty of the house goes
away.
Fourth Day: Goverdhan Puja
On the fourth day of Diwali, people make a small figure, thing, or sculpture
of cow dung, which they consider to be Lord Govardhan and worship
him. It is believed that on this day Lord Krishna defeated
Indra (king of devas or god-like deities and heaven) and lifted the
huge Govardhan mountain to save the people from Indra's aggression and
anger.
Fifth Day: Bhaiya Dooj or Bhai Dooj
On the fifth day of Diwali,
sisters
visit their
brothers
and perform a ritual called the 'tilak ceremony'. With this ritual, sisters pray to
God
for the long and happy life of their brothers and brothers promise to
protect their sisters. Brothers also give expensive gifts or money to their
sisters.
Importance of Diwali in India
Diwali is the festival of light and it is a famous festival of India, which
is also popular all over the world. Indian people, especially Hindus, start
preparing for Diwali about a month or two in advance. Many people start
saving money for Diwali so that they can enjoy this great festival happily
while being with their family and fulfilling their wishes.
People usually get their entire house repaired or repainted a month before
the actual date of the Diwali festival. Additionally, they start buying new
things like
home decor items, clothes, lights, crackers, sweets and snacks, dry
fruits,
etc. Many Indians believe in discarding old things and buying new things
before Diwali so that everything they have is fresh and new. They do this
believing that Lord Ganesha and Maa Lakshmi will visit their
place when it is completely clean and pure and bless them with good health,
wealth, and prosperity.
Considering its historical and religious significance, people in India have
been celebrating this great festival for thousands of years, and even today,
they celebrate it with full joy and gaiety. It is also notable that Diwali
is designated as a gazetted holiday in the Hindu calendar, and is also
followed by companies and governments in India.
Effects of Diwali on the Environment
The festival of Diwali has many adverse effects on the environment. Since
crackers are burst in large quantities on Diwali, it leads to severe
air pollution. The effect of such air pollution can be seen even for
3 to 4 days after Diwali; there is often a haze of fog in the atmosphere.
Due to this, patients suffering from any respiratory disease start having
respiratory problems. Apart from this, the sound of firecrackers also
creates problems for animals like cows, dogs, and flying birds. Later, after
bursting firecrackers, the residue of firecrackers also causes
soil pollution.
Simply put, firecrackers are harmful to the environment and should be banned
by governments across the world, no matter what the occasion or festival is.
Negative Side of Diwali other than Crackers
Diwali is the festival of lights and is celebrated as the victory of good
over evil (or bad). There is positive energy, joy, happiness, and exchange
of gifts and sweets everywhere. Markets are often filled with people buying
things for Diwali, be it clothes, snacks, sweats, decorative items, or other
items. Due to the heavy demand for labor works and the need for money to
enjoy Diwali, many children are also seen working in shops and going through
child exploitation, though child labor is against the law in India.
Apart from this, there are many bad people who believe in celebrating Diwali
by drinking beer with friends and playing cards together. Such negative
elements have a negative effect on a holy festival like Diwali.
How can we celebrate eco-friendly Diwali?
Diwali has always been a festival of lights, especially the light produced
by diyas or traditional earthen lamps. Over time, it has been replaced by
candles, electric lights, and even firecrackers. However, we can still enjoy
the festival with a traditional earthen lamp lit with oil or ghee while
spending quality time with our families. It is an eco-friendly way of
celebrating Diwali as it does not harm the environment like firecrackers.
The bursting of crackers has no historical and religious significance and
hence it is advised to burst only a few crackers to give little cheer to
kids and children while supporting the movement of eco-friendly Diwali.
Also, make sure that children are allowed to burst crackers only under your
(adult) supervision as there have been many incidents of children injuring
themselves or others with firecrackers. Apart from this, the storage and
transportation of firecrackers is also risky.
10 Lines Essay on Diwali
The following points discuss the short essay or 10 lines essay on Diwali:
• Diwali is one of the biggest festivals celebrated by Indians,
especially Hindus.
• Diwali is also called "Deepawali", which is a Sanskrit word
and roughly translates to "festival of lights".
• Diwali is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya based on the Hindi
calendar and usually falls in late October or early November every year.
• The day of the Diwali festival is one of the most important
holidays in the Hindi calendar.
• Although there are many beliefs, a major reason for celebrating the
Diwali festival involves the return of Lord Rama (with
Sita and Laxmana) after 14 years of exile after defeating or
killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. In the joy of victory and
return, people in Ayodhya illuminated the entire city using ghee lamps
(traditional diyas) to symbolize the victory of good over evil (bad).
• Diwali is celebrated for five days: "Dhanteras", "Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali", "Main Diwali or Lakshmi Puja", "Goverdhan Puja" and "Bhaiya Dooj or Bhai Dooj".
• On the day of Diwali (main Diwali), people wear new clothes,
worship Lord Ganesha and Maa Lakshmi, visit relatives, and
exchange sweets. Children celebrate Diwali by bursting crackers.
• Although not entirely responsible, bursting crackers on Diwali also
has negative effects on the environment, including pollution and
distress to animals.
• Although Diwali is a festival of joy, happiness, and togetherness,
some bad people use alcohol to celebrate, play cards at the celebrations,
and even force or use child labor to meet the labor demands of the market.
• On Diwali, it is suggested that people should celebrate
eco-friendly Diwali by not bursting crackers but using traditional diyas
(lamps), which will also support small local businesses (or families) and
help them grow and celebrate their Diwali happily.
Wrapping Up
Undoubtedly, Diwali is the most awaited beautiful Hindu festival, which
brings peace and prosperity to people's lives. In this great festival of
lights, people should avoid crackers at any cost and the young generation
should be told about its serious negative effects. It is our responsibility
to leave a healthy earth for the generations to come while maintaining the
spirit of the festival. Celebrating Diwali in an eco-friendly way with your
friends, relatives, and neighbors is easy as well as enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why, when, and how is Diwali celebrated?
According to a widely accepted story, Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama to his hometown of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and defeating Ravana, the king of Lanka. It is celebrated on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the month of 'Kartik' and usually falls in late October or early November. People celebrate this festival by decorating their homes with traditional earthen lamps, worshiping Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, and wishing for wealth and prosperity.
What is the spiritual significance of Diwali?
People often forget their disputes on this big occasion and forgive others, which makes their relationship stronger than ever. By removing hatred from their hearts and celebrating the festival together, people get spiritual peace. They also communicate happily, eat good food, share sweets, and enjoy fireworks together. Due to all this, friendships and relationships become even stronger as the spiritual benefit of Diwali.
Why is Diwali called the festival of lights?
The name of the festival (Diwali) is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Deepavali'. The word is translated as 'row (avali) of earthen/ clay lamps or diyas (deepa)', becoming a row of lights. The whole of India lights up on Diwali as Indians light earthen lamps to demonstrate the victory of light (or good) over darkness (or evil). Therefore, Diwali is rightfully called the festival of lights.
Why do people often leave their doors open on Diwali, especially during worship in the evening?
Doors and windows are left open during worship on Diwali, believing that Goddess Lakshmi enters homes and blesses the family with wealth, success, and prosperity.
How does Diwali bring prosperity?
Diwali brings prosperity in many ways. Hindu merchants and businessmen often start new account books on this holy day, wishing for success and prosperity. Farmers end their harvest season, bringing wealth and prosperity to them. People give up bad habits and set new goals or objectives for positive things or success in life ahead.
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