The legend goes that Diwali is celebrated to honour the return of Rama with his wife Sita (after vanquishing Ravana) to Ayodhya. The legend also states that Rama after vanquishing Ravana refused to take Sita back as his wife, and she was upset and cleansed herself in fire, emerging unscathed to prove she was pure. Evidently when they got back to Ayodhya, they weren't on the best of the terms. We celebrate Diwali anyway.
Another legend goes that Sita gave birth to 2 sons Lava and Kusha, and something happened in the form of a row, and Mother Earth swallowed Sita yet again.
As a human race, we never tend to speak evil of the dead. I can well imagine how Rama became Lord Rama over time, giving us yet another excuse to eat and make merry.
Well ... I don't know how or when Diwali celebrationa started. I do know that it was one of my favourite festivals. I grew up in a residential school, and most holidays were not declared holidays in our school. Diwali was. (Well...what would you do with 750 children on campus if there were declared holidays for Mahaveer Jayanthi etc? ) It was also one of the opportunities to wear new clothes, and attend the Diwali puja in School. 10th and 12th grade students wore sarees and dhotis, and I can't tell you how wonderful the whole scene looked.
Diwali is here again. Celebrations have been pushed to the week-end for those of us who don't have declared holidays on Diwali.
Happy Diwali Folks!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Happy Diwali!
Posted by nourish-n-cherish at 2:41 PM
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8 comments:
happy diwali to one and all
I heard that there is a "scientific" reason why diwali is celebrated... Looks like, this is the time of the year when insects tend to breed a lot.. Firing crackers and lighting lamps in the evening tends to kill them... Just another thought.. This is one of my favourite festivals as I grew up... Happy Diwali Again...
@ Saumya,
10th & 12th grade in Sarees & dhotis.....yes! that would have been a wonderful hilarious scene to watch.
Regarding diwali, I think it is one festival where the women of the household are tortured to prepare sweets,savories etc. Till today, I have not seen even a single house where the men are eager to make various snacks for diwali. After talking to some friends,I was almost feeling guilty for not having made this diwali special with sugar coated sweets . What? Not even a payasam..??
@saumya: Hey isn't diwali associated with Krishna kicking Naragasura?
@survivor: Traditionally in a role based family, yes, women did slave. Also you are right, I haven't seen many males (other than the occasional corner condition) enthu about making it. On the other hand I haven't seen many of them insist that something has to be made either.... isn't that true?
To top it all- who is the one who is feeling *almost* guilty... ????
@ Mano: "Corner solution"...man ULTIMATEEEE...ur gettin thereee Prof. Mano...
@ Mindframes: thats interesting!!!
Was I misinformed ? I heard stories that we celebrate diwali, on Naragasuran's death (killed by Lord Krishnaji).
Anyhow.. When people are counting calories, Im not sure if they really eat all those sweets..
Happy Diwali all..
Saumya, very good explanation.
aamiahindu@yahoo.com
Yayy, it's diwali! I am so excited! Are you? Happy deepavali to all.
Hugs and cheers xxx
Marilyn
Diwali decorations
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