Crown The Brown: Happy Deepavali / Diwali- Riashri Moodley

This tale of the Ramayana is the most famous one when it comes to narration of the Diwali festival. According to the Hindu epic poem Ramayana, Lord Rama, his brother Lakshmana, and wife Sita had to go for an exile lasting for 14 years. In this exile, the wicked king Ravana of Lanka kidnapped Sita.

Now, after a lot of challenges and quest, Lord Rama finally vanquished Lanka and saved Sita. On a New Moon day of the Hindi month of Karthika, Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana returned to their hometown Ayodha. To celebrate this victory the residents of Ayodha lit up thousands of lamps and diyas.

Furthermore, this Diwali is also known as Deepavali and that means the rows (avali) of lamps (deepa) that the people of Ayodhya lit to welcome their King. Since then, the same day has been celebrated with quite an elan. Firecrackers and diyas form the major excitement during this festival.

Goddess Lakshmi

Most of the Hindu homes worship Goddess Lakshmi on this Diwali Day and that is perhaps because it is the birthday of this deity. A second belief as per the Hindu scriptures, both Gods and Demons had a mortal life like normal human beings. They always wanted to be immortal. The event Samudra Manthan or churning of the huge ocean to seek Amrita or the fluid of immortality took place. As the whole ocean was being roiled, many things rose up the surface.

Goddess Lakshmi was one of them who is the daughter of the Milky Ocean. The day of her birth was also the New Moon day of the Karthika month. Lord Vishnu was too impressed by the serene beauty of Lakshmi and married her instantly.

Lamps or diyas were illuminated in a row to mark this occasion. Since then Diwali means worship of Goddess Lakshmi to seek her blessings. Many families offer their Lakshmi prayers on this day of Diwali with the tying of red strings and offering thanks for the wealth, prosperity and health to this magnificent Goddess.

Interactions between our Instagram followers earlier in the week sparked fond memories of families coming together. The joy of getting new clothing, sweetmeats, song, dance and the much anticipated Firework displays. A beautiful description of the festival that I came across is that:

“The festival symbolizes the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The light is a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness”.

With that thought, we wish you a blessed and prosperous Diwali/ Deepavali. May your day be as beautiful as the fireworks that will be lighting up the sky for this festival.

[Please ensure all pets have been given the suitable tranquilizers, as the loud bangs do cause distress to our fur babies – inquire with your veterinarians or animal care specialists]

Love and Light from Riashri Moodley of Crown The Brown