deepavali-festival | Deepavali Festival

Tuesday, 06 October 2009 06:47

Deepavali-Gujarat

About:

A visit to Tourism of Gujarat, offers ample of opportunity to the tourists to unearth the rituals and the legends behind the grand and ebullient festival of Deepavali, situated in Gujarat, India. Tourism of Gujarat, takes the tourist on a journey across the length and breadth of Gujarat, India, where akin to other regions, Deepavali, is celebrated with great gusto and aplomb. Tourism of Gujarat, offers a golden opportunity to the tourist to know that akin to other travel destinations in India, Gujarat, too celebrates Deepavali on the same lines with the festival commemorating an event. The event being the return of Lord Rama, to his hometown of Ayodhya with his consort Devi Sita. The citizens of Ayodhya then decorated the gateways, walls and the rooftops of the their homes with lamps to celebrate the safe and triumphant comeback of their King after a long time period, unscathed by the vagaries of time.

The Diwali day attire usually consists of the Jhabba (kurta) and dhotis for the men, while the women dress in Saris. However in the urban cities of Gujarat, most people do not wear the traditional attire instead choosing to opt for western clothes or the fancier Indian variety. It is considered auspicious to visit the temple on this day. The day is spent preparing food and sweets. Shops are open, but business comes to a halt on Dhanteras, two days before Diwali, and doesn't resume until Labh Pancham, the fifth day of the New Year. For traders and businessmen, this is the time for a vacation. Diwali evening is celebrated by lighting up streets and markets, and bursting crackers.

A major Indian festival that is of immense significance in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism, Deepavali or Diwali is popularly hailed as the “Festival of Lights” and celebrated with great gusto and aplomb all over India. The legendary epic Ramayana has it that after defeating Ravana and rescuing Sita, Lord Rama returned triumphant to his capital Ayodhya where he was crowned. To commemorate the joyous occasion, people decorated their houses with lamps. Since then, this day is celebrated as Deepavali The Festival of Lights.

Time(indian calendar Tithi):

Deepavali – the festival of lights is usually celebrated in October/November, eaxctly 20 days after Dussehra – another important festival is celebrated.

Climate/Weather:

The land relief in Gujarat is low in most parts of the state, resulting in a great diversity in the climate of Gujarat India. Gujarat experiences mild, pleasant and dry winters, with average daytime temperatures ranging around 83 °F(29 °C) and night temperatures around 53 °F(12 °C). The summers are very hot and dry, with day temperatures rising up to around 105 °F(41 °C) and night temperatures dropping to 85 °F(29 °C).

History:

During Diwali people light lamps to remind Lord Rama's return from fourteen years in exile to his kingdom of Ayodhya after conquering the tyrant Ravana, who had abducted his wife Sita and held her in his island fortress of Lanka.For Jains, the day commemorates the passing into Nirvana of Mahavira, the most recent of the Jain Tirthankaras, or saints. The lighting of the lamps is explained as a material substitute for the light of holy knowledge that was extinguished with Mahavira's passing.

In Sikh perspective, Diwali is celebrated as the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji from the captivity of the city, Gwalior. To commemorate his undying love for Sikhism, the towns people lit the way to the Golden Temple in his honour.
In Gujarat, the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali.For Farmers Diwali is a festival marking the end of one Harvest and the beginning of another and is a festival heralding the beginning of a New Year.

Importance of festival:

Diwali is one of the most important festivals in the festival calendar of Gujarat. Diwali celebrations are accompanied by fire-crackers and sweets. Each and every house in the state is illuminated with electrical bulbs or candles. The festival continues for four days.

As with other Indian festivals, Divali signifies many different things to people across the country. In north India, Deepavali Festival celebrates Rama's homecoming, that is his return to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king; in Gujarat, the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. Everywhere, it signifies the renewal of life, and accordingly it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the festival; similarly, it heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season.

Method of Celebration:

Diyas:
Diyas are an integral part of the festival of lights. Diyas are basically the oil lamps made up of clay. These diyas come in different shapes and sizes. There are many designer diyas also available in the market nowadays. Many changes have come in the diyas in many years like these diyas have started coming in different shapes and sizes and various colors. Wax filled diyas are very much in demand nowadays as they are more convenient to use in comparison with the conventional oil ones.

Hangings:
A popular Diwali decorative item is the hangings adorning the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. You can find different colored and designed hangings in the market nowadays. These hangings can be used for adorning the entrance of the homes or the entrance point of the small temples in your home or even for decorating the walls.

Rangolis:
Rangolis are the art patterns made on the entrance floor of the homes in order to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. These patterns basically depict nature, flowers with the usage of different colors. The drawing of rangolis on the entrance point of the homes is considered to be an auspicious tradition mainly if the rangolis are drawn in the courtyard of the homes where all the family members gather.

Lights and Lamps:
Lights and lamps are another favorite Diwali decorative items used by many people. These lights and lamps also come in different beautiful shapes and sizes. They create a mesmerizing atmosphere with their shimmering glow at the time of Diwali.

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Culture of festivities:

Diwali celebrations in Gujarat commence the night before Diwali. The Gujaratis create designs, usually depicting nature or the Gods, from natural color powders. These are called Diwali Rangolis (link) and are generally found at the entrance of the house or in the courtyard. These motifs are designed in order to welcome Goddess Lakshmi to their homes and are a source of pride for the creators who often compete amongst themselves to see who has the best Rangolis in their house. Small footprints made with rice flour and vermilion powder are also drawn all over the house.

Festivals in Gujarat are celebrated with great gusto and religious sentiment. They promote unity and feeling of brotherhood. Festivals of Gujarat are extremely colorful and elaborate. The most colorful and popular festival is Navratri celebrated throughout nine nights in the month of October. People of all age groups assemble in temple compounds and sing and dance till the wee hours in he morning. The festival ends with Dusshera. Other festivals celebrated in Gujarat are Diwali, Holi, Janmastami and Raksha Bandhan. Festivals like International Kite Festival, Modhera Dance Festival and Saptak Music Festival are unique to Gujarat.