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Legend 1 |
Legend 2 | Legend 3 | Legend 4 |
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There
are a number of legends connected with the origin of
Diwali.
But Diwali is widely celebrated as the day that Lord
Rama returned triumphant to Ayodhya after defeating
Ravana.This aspect of Diwali is the most common and
acceptable account with regards to the other origins of
Diwali.
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Main
Legend:
 In
the north, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana,
Bihar and the surrounding areas, Diwali is the day when
King
Rama's coronation was celebrated in
Ayodhya after his epic war with Ravana, the demon king of
Lanka.
By
order of the royal families of Ayodhya and Mithila, the
kingdom of which Sita was princess,
the
cities and far-flung boundaries of these kingdoms were lit
up with rows of lamps, glittering on dark nights to
Welcome home the divine king Rama and his queen
Sita
after 14 years of exile, ending with an across-the-seas
war in which the whole of the kingdom of Lanka was
destroyed.
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Second
Legend:
In
rural areas, Diwali signifies Harvest Festival. Diwali which occurs at the end of
a cropping season has along with the above custom, a few
others that reinforce the hypothesis of its having
originated as a harvest.
Every
harvest normally spelt prosperity. The celebration was
first started in India by farmers after they reaped their
harvests. They celebrated with joy and offered praises to
God for granting them a good crop.
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Third
Legend:  Narakasura,
a monster, ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. He
was a trouble-maker to the gods and the pious sages and
would disturb their penance or create havoc during the
rituals.
To
prove his power, Narakasura usurped some territory of
Aditi, (the king of Suraloka and a relative of Satyabhama,
Lord Krishna's wife).
Vexed
with this harassment, Indra and other gods approached Lord
Krishna and pleaded with him to protect them from the
demon "Narakasura".Satyabhama appealed to
Krishna to give her the golden chance to destroy
Narakasura, as Narakasura was given a curse that he would
be killed by a woman.
Krishna
granted her a boon to fight with Narakasura. With Krishna
as the charioteer, Satyabhama entered the battle field and
killed the demon, Narakasura. The killing of Narakasura
was a victory of good over evil.
It
is interesting to note that Bhudevi, mother of the slain
Narakasura, declared that his death should not be a day of
mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. Since
then, Deepavali is being celebrated by people every year
with joyous celebrations with lot of fun and frolic, and
fire works.
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Fourth
Legend:
 On
this day Mother Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk
called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with Her wealth and
prosperity for mankind.
On
that day, Lakshmi Pooja was performed to honour Her and as
such, every year on Diwali day, Hindus perform Her prayer
and worship.The making and distribution of various sweets
and total vegetarian foods are the order of the day.This
practice is alive and well to this very day.
Many
people believe that Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and
good fortune, visit the homes of devotees on this day.
Worship of Lakshmi is performed in the evening.
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Last modified:
October 05, 2006 |
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