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So, what is the essence of Diwali to you?

Oct 16, 2009 9:07 AM Share

"So what is the essence of Diwali to you?"

Last year my husband had asked me this question. And I was like .... hmmm...Ram story, Laxmi puja, thanfulness for our bounty, new beginings and new year....but to come up with an essence. Then I read somewhere something about light outside and kindling your inner light and it sounded good. So I lit our first diya with some feeling and thought instead of mechanically like a chore. It felt so good!

Thought would share ideas as we embarked on the festivities....

Btw, had penned our last Diwali in my blog as well in Post Diwali Thoughts.

Curious to hear more...

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mango_mama (India) Oct 23, 2009 9:04 PM
JC,

That is so beautiful. I bet your son will treasure these memories even though you might not get that from him now.

I feel the same. But even in India do not do something as elaborate.
 
JC (United States) Oct 23, 2009 5:50 PM
The thought of Deewali lamps brings happiness and bright smile. I love to celebrate few festival but thoroughly. Deewali being one of them, I buy clay lamps here in the US. Sid <my pumpkin> and I paint, decorate and fill it with wax easier to transport from pooja room to outdoors.

I do Lakshmi pooja, love to decorate altar with new and old collection of lamps, fire sparklers <depends on availability>. I mainly want my son to see the elaborate efforts which goes into preparation, as he may never get a chance to live in India so its good to watch and learn. These are the memories he will reminisce about and tell his children.

I still remember Diwali pooja and celebrations at my parents place and I almost do things the way my mother used to. Hoping my son will carry on the tradition of Deewali with his family and create memories in the future.
 
aanchal (India) Oct 16, 2009 3:25 PM
to me, diwali means a lot. somehow i feel very energetic and enthusiastic during this festival. the essence, if u ask, would be to stay connected to indian culture(not indian religion or hinduism)...this festival says a lot (perhaps most) about our culture.
like u gita, i too feel so good while lightinng diyas and candles..it feels as if the lights r going to kill the darkness (symbolic of good killing the evil) and bring hopes.

its very sad to see diwali getting so commercialized and consumer oriented. there is undue emphasis on shopping, gifts, parties,crackers, sweets, decorations. if we help the needy ones around, even by one-fourth of our diwali budget, it can surely brighten up their lives. and if we use another one-fourth to plant trees on this day, it will surely brighten up the planet.
 
sathya (India) Oct 16, 2009 10:20 AM
To me its about happiness, joy and cheer with family and those around you. Its also about getting together for all the festivities. The kids love it and their enthusiasm is infectious!!
 
Sumo (India) Oct 16, 2009 9:42 AM
Hi,
Diwali is one BIG festival unifying India. There is hope and cheerfullness and the whole process of getting ready for the festival - buying clothes and crackers, making sweets and savouries, cleaning the house, rangolis, diyas, etc etc brings the family and friends together.

There is also a lot of gifting where we remember our nears and dears as well as those help us, like domestic help, drivers ,etc and gift them things.

The essence of Diwali that we believe in south India is that 'Evil perishes and goodness prevails'. On diwali, we celebrate the demise of an evil person, Naragasuran. But one thing that really touches me about all these evil asuras is that eventually when they meet their end, they all repent and ask that their death be celebrated like Naragasuran did. Better late than never!

Though I am also not v religious, am trying to infuse some meaning to these festivals and do things with the kids. Let us see how it turns out - usually, we manage to hava a better experience with all these activities not exactly on the festival day but a little off - but I guess it does not matter! whatever works...

Cheers,
Sumo
 
 

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