Deepavali, one of the most important festival to be celebrated by the Hindus, is also known as Diwali or The Festival of Lights. This colourful festival will be celebrated by Hindus worldwide and are known to be one of the biggest festival celebrated here in Malaysia. This festival that usually falls during the late October and November or the 13th day of the dark half of Kartik, is a festival that marks the triumph of good over evil or the victory of light over the dark. The word Deepavali is made out of 2 simple words - 'Deepa' means light and 'Avali' means row. Therefore, Deepavali is also known to the the row of lights. This festival is celebrated here in Malaysia by the Hindu community that mainly consisting of Indian ethnic origin and are gazetted by the government as a one-day public holiday.
BACKGROUND
There are many legends and beliefs that are associated with this Festival of Lights. The origin of Deepavali is narrated in the Hindu religious scriptures and the most popular story origin known is the story of Ramayana. According to Ramayana, Deepavali commemorates the return of Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the eldest son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya from his 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman after killing the Ravana, a demon king. The people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and fireworks to celebration of the return of their king. In the epic tale, the denizens of the kingdom of Ayodhya celebrated the prince's triumphant return to his homeland and later, his ascension to the throne, by lighting up their homes and the streets with earthen oil lamps. This happened on the night of the new moon and is commemorated hence, as the celebration of Deepavali.
However, the story of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana is only one out of many that is said to have given rise to this annual celebration. One other popular tale remembered during the occasion is that of the battle between Lord Krishna and the evil asura (demon) Narakasura. The story goes that Narakasura, a demon, ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace. Seeing his wickedness, Lord Khrishna set out to destroy the demon. 'Puranas' have it that Naraka, son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power from a blessing given by Lord Brahma after a severe penance. He soon unleashed a reign of terror in the kingdom of Kamarupa, harassing celestial beings with his invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture. But Naraka could not be easily killed as he had a boon that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi.
So, Krishna asks his wife Satyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka. When Krishna feigns unconsciousness after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Satyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Naraka, killing him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhudevi. The slaying of Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they stray on to the wrong path. The message of Naraka Chaturdasi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal bonds. Krishna emerged victorious after a long and drawn-out struggle, and his victory was celebrated with the lighting of lamps and the day that the evil Narakasura died was celebrated as Deepavali, the triumph of good over evil!
Yet others believe that Deepavali marks the day when the prideful and evil Mahishasura was vanquished at the hands of the goddess Kali. Variations notwithstanding, these stories share a common thread; that of the removal of evil, to be replaced by that which is good. This sense of renewal is reflected in the way Hindus prepare themselves for Deepavali.
CUSTOM AND TRADITION
Preparation for Deepavali starts usually at least two to three weeks before the festival. It is known that the Hindus will be busy cleaning their houses to prepare for the festival. Some would even renovate their houses to prepare it for Deepavali. In anticipation of the celebration, homes as well as their surrounding areas are cleaned from top to bottom; decorative designs such as the kolam are drawn or placed on floors and walls; and the glow of lights, whether emitted from the traditional vilakku (oil lamps fashioned out of clay) or colourful electric bulbs, brighten up the abode of both rich and poor, signalling the coming festivities. Usually the family will shop for new clothes and for accessories to decorate their homes. Prior to the festival, Indian shops will be selling festive items like Deepavali greeting cards, carpets, Punjabi suits and flowers. The Hindus will frequent these shops when they are shopping for Deepavali.
Temples are similarly spruced up with flowers and offerings of fruits and coconut milk from devotees, becoming more abundant and pronounced as the big day draws closer. The spring cleaning and decorating are significant for they not only symbolise renewal but also prepare for the welcoming of Devi Lakshmi, the goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, who is believed to visit homes and temples on the day. It is said she emerged from the churning ocean only days after the new moon of Deepavali. Besides the cleaning of homes and temples, Hindus also prepare themselves by cleansing their bodies and minds. Many among the devout fast, or observe a strict vegetarian diet, and spend hours during the preceding weeks in prayer and meditation.
The eve is usually spent making last-minute preparations for the next day. This is also the time when past quarrels are forgotten, and forgiveness is extended and granted. All is still not over yet, as the mango leaves hanging in front of the door of Hindu homes have to be changed. Then as a symbol of the auspiciousness of the day, 'santanam' (sandal paste) and 'kunggumam pottu' are place on these leaves. On the eve of the Festival of Lights a dab of 'santanam' is also placed on the new clothes that would be worn the next day. Eventually this flurry of pre-festival activities would culminate with the festival day itself, but devotees of the faith still have much to do before the day is over.
The Hindus usually awake early in the morning of deepavali around 3am and the first ritual will be having an oil bath, which is an important feature of Deepavali. For some it is a symbolic affair (to signify purity) while others take full oil baths to remove impurities externally, as well as tone the muscles and nerves to receive positive energies. Firstly, the mother or wife places a dash of ginger oil on the forehead of her children or husband. The woman of the house receives this honor as the Hindus view women as goddesses - representing Goddess Lakshmi - and this belief is emphasized on Deepavali day. This act of respect is also to remind the men in the family to treat their mother, wife, sisters and women in general, with high regard.
In the ensuing prayers to the deity, the children in the household lay flat on the ground at their parents' feet to ask for forgiveness for any wrong they may have done, for any harsh words spoken or for any selfishness shown throughout the past year. The parents would in turn forgive them with open-palmed hands and bless them with health, wealth, wisdom and God-consciousness. The wife's turn is next to ask for blessing from the husband and she does this by touching his feet. After blessing her, the husband puts the sacred 'kunggumam pottu' on her forehead, denoting his love for her. By this act, the husband is reminded that the wife is a representation of the Goddess Lakshmi and should be treated as befitting a goddess. This act is also a reminder that not only should he be faithful to her but also that his wife gave everything up in order to marry and follow him. Thus, he has to care and provide her with the best he can.
Hindus would also pay their respects to the elderly and most families would go to the temple after having breakfast. This is also an important practice for them. The reason why they would be going to the temples is to pray to get happiness and prosperity on Deepavali. The houses would be decorated with oil lamps and children will play with firecrackers to celebrate the festival. On the first day, they would not go visiting but would stay at home to welcome the guests who visit them. Most devout Hindus tend to be vegetarian, but that doesn't change the fact that Deepavali is the day to savour the many delicious Indian delicacies such as sweetmeats, rice puddings and the ever-popular murukku.
CUISINE
Visiting Hindus during Deepavali will be an interesting activity, as you will get to taste a wide variety of delicious food. In every home that you visit you are bound to be served with a tempting spread of sweets. Some of the popular sweets are halwa, burfi and laddu. Hindus love eating spicy food and for non-vegetarians they indulge in favorites like chicken tandoori, prawn sambal and fish head curry. In homes of Hindus who are vegetarians popular dishes like thoseis, idlis and naans are prepared. Sweets are also one of the cuisine served during the Deepavali festival such as royal vermicilli kheer, rice kheer, carrot halwa, besan ka ladoo, chilled curds idlis, lentil salad and gram dhal vada. Murukku is a festive snack found during Deepavali. The word carries many meanings: honey, beauty, fragrance, divine music, eternal youth, hence its presence during the Hindu festive season. Murukku is a south Indian snack amongst the many others you will find, and comes in sweet and savoury versions. murukku, a round, twisted cookie-like south Indian snack made from chick-pea flour. Usually deep-fried, this is an addictive nibble that once you start eating, is difficult to stop. It is also popular as an everyday snack.
COSTUMES
During the Deepavali festival, Hindus will spend most of their time shopping in order to buy new clothes for these wonderful festival. Hindus will be dressed in their new clothes on Deepavali. Most of the ladies would be clad in silk saris or Punjabi suits of various bright shades. The men will wear kurtas (long tunics), churidars (long scarves), and dhoti-punjabis (trousers Hindus). The Hindus particularly dislike dressing in black on that day, as they consider black an inauspicious color for the festival. They will normally opt to wear brightly-colored clothing to thank the gods for the happiness, knowledge, and wealth that they have received in the past year.