Diwali

Burn Burn Burn
Into incandescence
Into Passion
That fires love
And light

Burn into purity
Into serenity
Into humility
Into grace

Burn your way
Through darkness
To a halo
Of warmth

And let no other
Make you believe
that light
And love
Is anything
But a fuel
That burns
Within us
Every moment
Making Life
Iridescent
A hue
That illuminates
The journey

Diwali the  festival of lights, symbolises the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance “
Some other faiths in India also celebrate their respective festivals alongside Diwali. The Jains observe their own Diwali which marks the final liberation of Mahavira, the Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas to mark the release of Guru Hargobind from a Mughal Empire prison, while we in  Bengal along with some others from.the eastern part of India generally celebrate Diwali, by worshipping Goddess Kali.
Kali Puja, also known as Shyama Puja or Mahanisha Puja, is  celebrated on Dipannita Amavasya in  the  month of Kartik in the eastern part of India.
In the rest of the country Diwali is the day is when  Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and wife of Vishnu is worshipped. The  festival as per some  sources is associated with Samudra Manthan . Goddess Lakshmi was born from Samudra manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean of milk by the Devas and the Asuras ,   while the night of Diwali is when Lakshmi chose and wed Vishnu. 
Interestingly Trade and merchant families and others also offer prayers to Saraswati, who embodies music, literature and learning and Kubera, who symbolises book-keeping, treasury and wealth

Traditionally Diwali is a Five day festival , starting with Dhanteras, a day utilised to throw out what is necessary and clean ones surroundings. The day also marks a major shopping day to purchase new utensils, home equipment, jewellery, firecrackers, and other items. 

The second day is known as Naraka Chaturdashi also known as Chhoti Diwali,  The day and its rituals are interpreted as ways to liberate any souls from their suffering in “Naraka”, or hell, as well as a reminder of spiritual auspiciousness. For some , it is a day to pray for the peace of the deified souls of one’s ancestors and light their way for their journeys in the cyclic afterlife. 

The third day is for Lakshmi Puja , a day  T temples and homes are In another interpretation, it is thought to reference the legend of Parvati and her husband Shiva playing a game dice on a board This day ritually celebrates the bond between the wife and husband,

In some rural communities of the north, west and central regions, the fourth day is celebrated as Govardhan puja, honouring the legend of the  Krishna saving the cowherd and farming communities from incessant rains and floods triggered by Indra’s anger, which he accomplished by lifting the Govardhan mountain.

The last day of the festival is called Bhai Duj ,or as we say in Bengalu Bhai Phonta. It celebrates the sister-brother bond, similar in spirit to Raksha Bandhan This festive day is interpreted by some to symbolise Yamraja’s sister Yamuna welcoming Yama with a tilaka, while others interpret it as the arrival of Krishna at his sister’s, Subhadra, place after defeating Narakasura

Have you ever wondered why during the auspicious and festive season of Diwali, we follow the long time tradition of gambling? The practice is an ancient one and it began with a celestial game of dice between Shiva and Parvati
She is engaged in an eternal game of winning and losing with Shiva, her partner. It’s a game spanning the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction, of fragmentation and reunification. It is Cosmic Lila, Divine Play, the Grand Illusion, Maya.
The constant configuration, destruction and recreation of the cosmos are part of a continual process.

Our traditions and rituals have deep significance.
It is indeed fascinating to explore the reason behind the rituals

Happy Diwali everyone
Stay Safe.