Deepavali, also called Diwali, is traditionally celebrated for five days. It begins on the 13th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartika (mid-October through mid-November). Deepavali (deep means "light," and avali means "a row") is celebrated by Indians on a grand scale as a festival of lights, signifying the advent of joy and happiness in India and all over the world. When darkness unfolds at dusk during this festival, one can see a spectacular illumination produced by tiny flickering earthenware lamps (in certain areas, earthenware lamps have been replaced by candles, oil lamps or electric lights) adorning rows of homes, buildings and streets in every town and village. Both young and old enthusiastically set off multicolored firecrackers.

Diwali is associated with several legends and practices in different parts of India, including the descent to earth in darkness of the souls and spirits of forefathers to bless their progeny and their return to their resting place in the bright lights; the Lords Krishna and Rama's triumphant return after vanquishing the demon kings Narakasura and Ravana; the coronation of Sri Rama; and Batu Vaamana's damning of Bali, king of the Netherlands, etc.

Every facility is cleaned, well lit and adorned, the entire surroundings are sanctified and the entrances are made colorful with the traditional motifs of Rangoli so that these triumphant authorities that bestow wealth, prosperity, success and peace may be welcomed. In addition, special worship is performed, and prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha, the giver of success and the remover of all obstacles, and Mata Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity. Lamps are kept burning all through the night, on the inside for worship purposes and on the outside to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Traditional sweets are offered, and devotional songs (Bhajanas) are sung, since these days are considered auspicious.

Each year, children and adults joyously anticipate Diwali. For children, this holiday may mean new clothing, friends and relatives around for traditional dessert-filled meals, firecrackers and revisiting the legends of gods, specifically, the powerful heroes who destroy demons. For them, this is the occasion to celebrate the victory of good over evil. For adults, this holiday may bring a deeper insight. It may help a seeker to renew his life as he or she seeks a deeper meaning in life.

The legends tells about Narakasura, who stands as an intolerable menace to saintly persons; he loots and plunders, mercilessly carrying away 16,000 damsels and imprisoning them in his harem. Lord Krishna empowers Satyabhama, his wife, to behead the demon king Narakasura, since the prediction was that the demon king would be slain by a woman. Bhudevi, Mother Earth, mother of the slain Narakasura, becomes reconciled to her loss, knowing that the Lord has punished her son for the sake of the world. She sets a glowing example of how one must brush aside his or her personal joys and sorrows in the interest of society, requesting that the day of her son's beheading be jubilantly celebrated. The 16,000 damsels represent the desires that arise in an egoistic man. Therefore, as the demon is killed, the damsels are freed. It is this deliverance of the people from the clutches of evil that fills people with joy.

Thus history, mythology, individual perception and geographical community philosophy all make these festivals universal celebrations. They symbolize the age-old culture of India, which teaches seekers to vanquish the ignorance that subdues humanity and to drive away the darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. This festival of lights, even in the modern world, projects India's rich, glorious past and teaches its people to uphold the true values of life.

This year, the first day of Deepavali falls on Sunday, October 26.

May this festival, representing the light of all lights, bring us success, happiness, prosperity and peace. Again, Happy Festival of Lights!

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Mandakini Hiremath is a Claflin instructor and coordinator of the university writing center.

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