Dear Editor,
Diwali – the ‘festival of lights’ represents the symbolic victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. India is the land of different cultures, traditions, faiths and festivals. The festival of Diwali is the biggest festival of Hindus and is celebrated throughout the length and breadth of the country. However, various cultures and religions have various historical stories as backgrounds to celebrate Diwali. While primarily known as a Hindu festival for followers of ancient Vedic culture and tradition, the festival is also celebrated across the world by other faiths like Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
This great festival comes in the month of Karthika as per the lunar cycles, on the 13th day, which is called trayodashi. Traditionally, on this auspicious day everybody is supposed to worship Dhanavantari – the deity dedicated to health and well being.
For celebrating Diwali, the Hindus clean and paint their houses as they believe that on this day Goddess Laxmi visits their house and gives blessings to the inmates.
The business community performs Laxmi puja on the evening of the festival of Diwali. Let us resolve to celebrate the festival of Diwali with great enthusiasm and traditional manner and not turn this festival of lights into festival of doom but celebrate the festival in eco-friendly manner so that the importance of the festival is not affected in any manner and there is no loss of precious lives.
Vivek Koul,
Jammu
