The Diwali Dazzle

And the most-awaited, most enthusiastically-celebrated festival that Indians of all faiths and communities participate in, Deepavali/Diwali is just around the corner! It’s dazzle times again!

The most literal association with the name – Deepavali – is of course, rows of diyas (lamps), which is a ubiquitous vision across the country. India on Diwali is a sight to behold, even when seen from space! As other nations retire for the night, India shines on, glittering in an array of lights, shunning darkness with a shower of illumination.

While Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, its origins are interesting varied and variegated. A popular legend names Diwali as the day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, after completing his exile, defeating Ravana, and returning home with Sita and Lakshmana. Another attributes Diwali to the night when Goddess Lakshmi wed Lord Vishnu, and thus Lakshmi Puja is celebrated in many parts of the country on this day. In yet another legend, Lord Krishna is believed to have overpowered and destroyed the evil asura, Narakasura, and the day is celebrated as Diwali. In Bengal, this day is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali, with a puja on the night of the new moon, as legend has it that, the Goddess after destroying all the demons who were spraying the world with their cruelty, could not reign in her rage, till Lord Shiva (urged by the Gods to intervene) lay down on the ground, and the Goddess accidentally stepped on him, and all her rage dissolved. In some states, Diwali marks the beginning of a new year.

Whatever be the legend and the concomitant celebration, there are some traditions which are adhered to, wherever there are Diwali celebrations! And some start way before the day of Diwali.

Like cleaning! While ‘spring’ cleaning happens in the early part of the year, close to the New Year according to the Lunar calendar, ‘autumn’ cleaning and clearing invariably happens in the days leading up to Diwali, and bags of clothes, appliances and other items which have not been used or are surplus are stored away to distribute among the needy. Many homes ‘rearrange’ themselves with new décor, furniture and paint!

What is an Indian festival without sweets? Sweets are made or bought and distributed in institutions, among family, friends and acquaintances.

Gifts and giving are closely associated with this festival of lights, as philanthropists proffer support and light to the less privileged and the deprived, with gifts of sweets, new clothes and old, money and food.

Buying new things from gold to appliances, and new investments during Diwali are considered auspicious, and as such many people indulge in comprehensive shopping lists for their own use and for gifting.

Just as light is integral to this festival, so is sound! While there has been a reduction in the decibel levels, enabled by legal injunctions, the bursting of firecrackers is synonymous with Diwali for hundreds of years now, and driving on roads on Diwali evenings are best done with caution?. The roads are an open launchpad for all varieties of rockets, bombs and crackers.

And finally, and most importantly, this is THE festival with lights at its centre – lights as oil-lamps, wax candles, LED, string lamps, paper lanterns, votives – just about any form of light. The finest sights, however are resolutely traditional: oil wicks in earthen lamps, which exude a glow and a warmth, unlike any other avatar.

Diwali is undoubtedly the world’s largest Sound and Light show!

So, what are you doing this Diwali? Looking to give your home a ‘new’ touch, or spread love and light with some thoughtful gifts?

Try us at Artisans Rose, where we have something for every part of your home and every member in your family or circle of friends in our thoughtfully designed and curated collection.

Please visit our website, https://artisansrose.com/ for more on what we do.

If you like what you see and want us to design and manufacture distinctive décor and furniture to enhance the experience at your home/establishment, do write to us at [email protected]

You can also call +91 90727 87773, Monday to Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm.

We spearhead interior design and architecture projects along with our esteemed partners and elevate and enhance spaces (home and commercial) to our clients’ complete satisfaction.