Diwali - Over a period of time

Deepavali or popularly known as Diwali reminds us about lights and crackers. We can often see people irrespective of their ages, lined up in crackers shop buying for their children or even for themselves. What is this Diwali all about? Most of us know about it. But it is worthwhile refreshing ourselves about this festival and how it's celebration practice changed over the time.

It had a very humble beginning and celebration was not that extravagant in olden days. People used to fast during the “ekadasi”, i.e. 11th day from full moon day and finish their fasting on 12th day. On 14th day Diwali is observed (i.e. Chathurdasi). People of yesteryear used to wake up before sun rise and have head bath, which is considered to be as good as having bathed in Holy river of Ganga. Then they go to temple, perform small rituals to God, and Diwali is wound up.

Over a period of time, things got commercialized. Many of us started doing things without knowing as to why we should do and this festival is no exception. Crackers were added to this festival and it gradually became customary. Now, without crackers one cannot celebrate this festival. People rush to shop to buy new dresses for this festival. Sometimes I really wonder if they are purchasing for the sake of festival or for the offers given by the sellers or just to fulfill their social ego. Most of them will be having a set of new clothes and they shall be accumulating them by purchasing more and more.

Looking back, people of olden days were simple. They buy new clothes only once in a year, i.e. for Karthikai Deepam and sometimes for Sankaranthi, which was also a rare phenomena. They met their bare necessities and lived a contended life. Now, Diwali has become quite complicated with extended days of celebrations, adopting other's customs, thereby adding unwanted practices. We had forgotten the underlying principle of Good winning over Evil and letting the Evil expenses prevail over our Good savings.