Happy Deepavali!

[Guest guest]

Thiruvananthapuram, KERALA (October 18, 2006): The festival that

sparkles up the skies with an array of bright and brilliant colours

as a mark of celebrating the victory of the good over the evil is

just couple of days away. The name Deepavali finds its origin in the

Sanksrit word "Deepavali" meaning a "row of lights" and the

word "Diwali" is a corrupt form of the original word. Deepavali or

Diwali is probably the most popular festival of the country,

celebrated as it is by people of almost all states of the country

with great fervour.

 

There are several legends associated with this festival, which is

now popularly celebrated through purchase of new clothes, exchanging

sweets and gifts with family and friends and most of all through

bursting firecrackers. The well-known legends are those of the

slaying of the demon Naragasura by Lord Krishna or the return of

Lord Rama to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana after their 14-year

exile, after he successful defeated and killed Ravana, the demon

ruler of the island of Lanka. Another less-well-known legend is that

this day marks the completion of the 21-day austerity observed by

Goddess Shakti to get half part of the body of Lord Shiva. It is

believed that Lord Shiva accepted her wish on this day and so came

about the form of "Ardhanarishwara" -- the combined form of Shiva

and Shakti.

 

The legend behind this festival notwithstanding, it brings about a

cause of good cheer and happiness. In North India, the festival is

celebrated for four days, wherein Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of

Wealth) is worshipped. For the North Indian business community, the

festival marks the on-start of the new financial year and new books

of account are opened on this day.

 

The festival also brings about a spur in the economy, with people

making purchases of all sorts. From renovating/painting homes to

purchase of clothing materials for oneself and family, jewellery,

white goods and even automobiles, the range of items purchased

during the season makes a long list. People also shop for gifts, the

design of packaging of which takes a new format every season to

satiate customers who are always on the look-out for something new

and different. In lieu of the holidays and to cash in on the mood of

festivity, it is also the time when movies made by big banners and

casting the biggest stars are released.

 

In Kerala, though, Onam takes the pride of being the main festival,

marked by brilliant celebrations and big-time shopping, the festival

of Deepavali nevertheless brings cause of cheer and happiness. It is

sought after by people, especially children, for it provides the

opportunity to play with firecrackers and sparklers.

 

Bursting firecrackers are not without its flipside though. In view

of ensuring safety, it is best that parents caution and advise

children on the list of dos and don'ts while playing with crackers.

The sudden loud sounds can cause damage to the ear drums and may

result in temporary, and at times, permanent loss of hearing. To

prevent this, a safe minimum distance of six to seven feet should be

maintained from the source of the sound. Bursting loud crackers

within closed doors and in closed tins should be avoided and loud

crackers that produce intense sound continuously for seven to 10

minutes should be avoided. Children should be advised against

playing pranks like throwing lighted crackers at others. It is also

advisable to keep away loud sounding crackers from homes that have

ailing people.

 

The festival also brings a cause of cheer for those with the sweet

tooth. Varieties of sweets in festive packets are now available in

all leading sweet stalls, even as women are busy experimenting with

new recipes, in their bid to offer something new and sweet to their

family members and friends this festive season.

 

SOURCE: The Hindu. Kerala Edition. Happy Deepavali by REMA SUNDAR

URL: http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/18/stories/2006101800190200.htm