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Why We Celebrate Deepawali/Diwali


Deepawali or say Diwali(what we call it more often these days), is a Major festival celebrated in almost all over India. Though there are lot of other festivals and It would not be wrong to mention that people of India celebrate each and every festival with enthusiasm and excitement. But the spirit of Deepawali is unique and above them all.

Like all other festivals celebrated in India or all over the world, there is a story behind Deepawali also. Not just an ordinary story but an Epic, well known as "Shri Ramayana".


As per Indian culture there are four Eras(Yug) viz "Treta, Dwapar, Kal/Kali, Sat". The epic of Ramayana goes back to Treta Yug. Once in Treta Yug a Devil was born by the Name of Ravana. He was so powerful that even Gods and Goddesses were also afraid of him. He worshiper Supreme Lord Shiva and got his blessings that only a Human or a Monkey could kill him, as he know he is all powerful that, no human matched his powers. After getting the blessings of Lord Shiva, he conquered whole earth, Hell and Heaven.

Everyone in living world was suffering from him directly or indirectly, So they all prayed to Lord Vishnu, who is supreme entity of the world, As per Indian epics this whole world started and lies inside Lord Vishnu. When Everyone prayed to Lord Vishnu he assured them that he would take birth on Earth and kill Ravana.

As so it happened, Lost took birth as Shri Rama. He was eldest son of King of Ayodhya Shri Dashratha and his eldest of three queen Maa Kaushalya. As Shri Rama was himself Lord of this world, He was just fulfilling the formalities of being a human being by taking part in usual life activities.

One fine day, King Dushratha thought to retire and hand over his Kingdom to Lord Rama, But all the Gods were afraid of this deed, as they though if Rama took up the Kingdom, how he would go and kill Ravana. So they made a conspiracy to send Shri Rama to forests to live as Sage for 14 years, because all the Demons and monsters lived in forests.

Shri Rama's wife Maa Sita and younger brother Shri Lakshmana also went away leaving Ayodhya behind. As Everyone loved Shri Rama so much, the people of Ayodhya were so sad and upset as they were parting Shri Rama - the supreme power of this universe(of course they saw Rama as only a human but their love for him was divine).

When Shri Rama was living in forest sister of Ravana saw him and fell in love(better say lust as demons hardly have love in their hart) with him and offered to marry him. But on order of Shri Rama, Lakshmana cut her ears and nose and thus challenged Ravana in this way.

Later on Surpanakha(sister of Ravana) went to Ravana and narrated the story to him. Ravana went angry and kidnapped Maa Sita.

This is to be noted that, Ravana was a Highly Educated Person, and was born in the dynasty of a Sage, but his evil deeds made him bad, He knew only Lord Vishnu could save him from his evil deeds, so he intentionally and stubbornly sought fight with him by kidnapping Maa Sita.

When Shri Rama with his Wanara(Monkey) Army killed Ravana and all in his dynasty except Vibhisana(who was a follower of Shri Rama), took back Maa Sita and travelled back to Ayodhya.

Second Son of King Dashratha and younger brother of Shri Rama, Shri Bharata was a dedicated follower of Shri Rama and was living as a Sage even when he was given Kingdom to take care, when Shri Rama was sent to forests. So Bharata was awaiting for Shri Rama to come back and so was all other people of Ayodhya.

So when they heard the news that Shri Rama was coming back to Ayodhya they were all very happy and they cleaned and decorated their houses and whole city. They lighted soil made lamps commonly known as "Deepak" in whole city and thus from the rows of Deepak(lamp) the name came Deepawali meaning (Rows of Lamps).

From then till now this day is Celebrated as Deepawali.

Wish you a very Happy Deepawali |
Jai Shri Ram |
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Location: India

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