G L Khajuria
As we all are well aware that Diwalior Deepwali is the most prominent festival of lights being celebrated all over India. The festival symbolizes the victory of truth over the evil, light over darkness and above all knowledge over the ignorance. This festival predominately is the most enthusiastically revered in the honor of Maryada parshotum Lord rama, who arrives Ayodhya after a long sojourn of fourteen years. Lord Rama honored and obeyed his father.His father never wanted Rama along with his consort sita and brother Lakhman should to go for exile.
Lord Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishu well knew to pass through this crucial phase. In return Bhagwan Rama messaged all and one of Ayodya that he has to enjoy an unusual charming experience to glimpse nature closely. Apart from, his aim was to be in close association with all sages and saints to share mutual interaction. He wanted to be ablest with nature’s manifestations-the lush green forests and colorful wildlife throughout the country.
In the process, he eased the rishis and munis from the terrorizing rakshas thereby having them a sigh of relief and enabled them to go in for meditations and samadhies.
The five days Deepawali festival, apart from afestival alone has of course many more affiliations attached to this centuries old mythology and theology. The festival which falls on 15th day of kartika. The first day epitomize Dhantras, second day as choti Diwali and third the main Diwali when Maa Durga is worshipped and puja archana performed in almost all houses. The fourth day falls on the dark night of Amavaya which is the’ Kartic Shub Pava’ and the last fifth day is celebrated as “Bhai Duj” —a sacred bond of love and affection of brothers and sisters.
The Deepawali has over the centuries back have been mostly celebrated and will continue for centuries ahead. All these festivals have their own identity well renowned world wild.
Deepawali celebration glitters and enlightens all houses with earthen Diyas and candles and every room and it arounds welcome Maa Lakhmi with multi colored garlands and the incense of ‘Aarvaties’ and Dhoops. The auspicious leaves of Dana (Vitex negunu and trinkanda are spiritually symbolize good omen and these are displayed on all doorstops to the extent of entry points (Gates) and the bath rooms and this signifies their own uniqueness. The brightening lights of ‘Diyas’ and candles still add to beauty to every Hindu house.
In the honor to welcome lord Rama, sita and Lakhman, the people also go in forbursting of crackers and lightening the sky with hawaies which though, of course, signifies lords arrival after slaying Ravana, Kumbkarna and Inderjeet. Ravana was though a well learned about all the four vedas to whom Rama himself admitted but his pride, ego and kidnaping of Sita(Maa Durga) made him killed in golden lanka. Ravana himself well knew all this and that is why the last word came out from Ravana ah sriram, sriram.
In the present milieu, when we are benig encounter with a multihued problems—the problem of ever mounting pollution, climate changes inworldwide phenomenon and this age old bursting of crackers should at least be minimize to safe guard our degrading environment which subsist and sustain all bio forms.
The whistling of multi-coloured hawai have though of course lesser effect.
It is, therefore, a matter of sensitization and public-awakening which warrant there slow down at all levels.
So, it is enjoined upon one and all to make this festival of lights and lights a green Diwali.
Let us solemnly pledge and grace green festival this year and the years to come by.
Let us preserve our environment to make all bioforms to enliven over the precious planet.
(The author is former deputy conservator of forests).