Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival

18-Nov-2020

Diwali is of great significance not just to Hindus, but almost all religions that originated in India, for their own respective religious reasons and epochs.

Jainism
This is the day of Nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira. He was born in 599 BC as a prince in Bihar and had left his family and royal household, gave up his worldly possessions, including clothing and become a monk at the age of 30. He attained Keval-jnana (enlightenment) and organised the adherents of Jainism into a four-fold order, namely monk (Sadhu), nun (Sadhvi), male followers among the general public (Shravak), and women followers among the general public (Shravika). Later on, they are known as Jains. At the age of 72, when he felt his purpose of life on Earth had been achieved, he attained Moksha - oneness with God - on the early morning of the No Moon Day of Ashwin (Kartik as per Amavasyant calendar) - coinciding with the Diwali date. His purified soul left the body and achieved complete liberation. Jains observe this day by lighting lamps and chanting strotras.

Sikhism
Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was freed from Mughal imprisonment on this day. Guru Hargobind was born in 1595 in Wadali Guru, a village west of Amritsar. His father Guru Arjan Singh was tortured by Jahangir the Mughal emperor for refusing to convert to Islam. Later on, 14-year-old Hargobind was arrested too. After a long period of incarceration, it was on a date coinciding with Diwali that Guru Hargobindji was released from captivity. Sikhs also observe it as Bandi Chorr Diwas (Day of Forgivance and Releasing Prisoners).

Buddhism
Buddhists celebrate Diwali by lighting lamps as Diwali is the auspicious day on which Emperor Ashoka � renounced warfare � decided to follow the path of Buddhism. Emperor Ashoka started the Digvijay campaign this day. The public had greeted them by burning lamps. Also In Buddhism, after 18 years, Gautam Buddha returned to Kapilavastu with followers on this day. Then Diwali was celebrated burning millions of lamps in their reception by the citizens.

Hinduism
Hindus too celebrate Diwali with different religious beliefs varying according to the geographical region. Majorly, it is about Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana during the exile period. In the southern part, Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. In the western region, Bali Pratipada is the day demon king Bali was defeated by Lord Vishnu banished from his kingdom.

So, Diwali is a time for festivity across India.