by Sande Waybill

Created on: October 08, 2009

As the festival of lights is another title for Diwali, it is not difficult to recognize that lights play a highly important role within the Diwali festivities. Several traditional types of light are used. Diyas are the most popular. These are usually hand sized and made from ghee with a free-floating wick. Crackers, candles, oil lamps, and clay lamps are also abundant.

Diyas are more customary than candles for celebrating Diwali. A diya may also be called a Deepak or deep. These may be created from clay or metal and are lit both day and night throughout the Diwali celebration. There is also a tradition for exchanging sweets and edible diyas are often made and distributed between family and friends at this time of year.

People celebrating Diwali will light diyas as a part of worshipping the Goddesses Lakshmi. Another custom is to request blessings from Parvati by lighting a diya. This tradition stems from the tale that Parvati played a dice gambling game with Lord Shiva on Diwali Eve. Lighting a diya is also an ideal opportunity to reflect or meditate on your own inner light.

Diwali symbolizes the triumph of goodness over evil and light over darkness. For this reason, many forms of light have become popular customs during the festival. Firecrackers are less traditional than diyas, but have become popular for family gatherings or town displays. Sparklers are more suited to smaller children, whilst older youth and adults can indulge in rockets, fountains, and other fireworks with less danger.

The name Diwali stems from two root words, which translate as 'light' and 'row', together forming the translation 'a row of lights'. Lights may be displayed all over a house, including on the walkway outside to the street. They are left burning day and night throughout the festivities. Many towns provide a fireworks display for communal enjoyment and participation.

The entire festival is one of positivity and joy. Incense is also used abundantly as a part of Diwali celebrations. This demonstrates the inner purification and light. It also brings a religious feel to events. The origin of Diwali stems from Hindu mythology.

Northern and Southern India have different stories to explain the derivation of Diwali. In the North of the country, it is said that Diwali comes from Lord Rama who returned after twelve years in exile. The celebrations that followed his return included the town's adornment with candles and other lights. In the South, the story of Durga's victory over an evil demon named Narakasura began Diwali, leading to the significance of good triumphing over evil or light over darkness. Light is also symbolic of knowledge, peace, and prosperity, all of which additionally belong to the Diwali festival.

URLs used for research:
http://www.diwalifestival.org/the-tradition-of-light s.html
http://www.diwalimela.com/festivaloflights/
http://hinduism.about.com/od/diwalifestivaloflights/ a/diwali.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_2061667_light-diya-diwali.ht ml?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

Learn more about this author, Sande Waybill.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.