While Diwali is often seen as a unifying festival of lights across India, the story behind the glow changes from one region to another. The five-day period is a fascinating tapestry of diverse myths, deities, and cultural priorities.
The Prelude: Of Wealth and Warfare
For much of North
and West India, the festival begins with Dhanteras, a day for new beginnings and material prosperity. Families traditionally purchase gold, silver, or new utensils, welcoming wealth and good fortune into their homes. The focus is on Goddess Lakshmi, the purveyor of prosperity. However, in South India, the main event often starts a day later with Naraka Chaturdashi, which is celebrated as the primary day of 'Deepavali'. This day commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The day typically starts before sunrise with a ritual oil bath, representing the cleansing of impurities. So, while one part of the country is ushering in wealth, another is celebrating the vanquishing of a powerful demon.
The Main Event: Lakshmi vs. Kali
The darkest new moon night, Amavasya, is when most of India performs Lakshmi Puja, worshipping the goddess of wealth alongside Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. This tradition is strongly tied to the story of Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile and defeat of Ravana. However, in Eastern India, particularly West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, this night is dedicated to the fierce Goddess Kali. Kali Puja is a major festival, sometimes even more prominent than Durga Puja in certain areas. Devotees worship the powerful goddess, who represents the destruction of evil and the protection of the innocent. Legend says she appeared from Goddess Durga's forehead to defeat demons that even the gods could not vanquish. Though her appearance is fearsome, she is revered as a protective mother. This stark difference—worshipping the gentle provider of wealth versus the formidable destroyer of evil on the very same night—is one of the most striking regional variations of Diwali.
The Day After: A Mountain of Food and a King's Return
The day following the main Lakshmi Puja introduces another set of divergent celebrations. In North India, it is widely celebrated as Govardhan Puja. This festival honours Lord Krishna's feat of lifting the Govardhan Hill to shield the villagers of Vrindavan from the wrathful rains sent by Lord Indra. Devotees prepare an 'Annakut', a 'mountain of food', as an offering of gratitude. In states like Maharashtra, however, the day is known as Bali Pratipada or Padwa. This celebration marks the return of the benevolent demon King Bali from the netherworld, a boon granted to him by Lord Vishnu in his Vamana (dwarf) incarnation. In Karnataka, this day is called Bali Padyami, where cow dung forts are made and stories of King Bali are recounted. Here, the focus shifts from Krishna's victory to honouring a revered king known for his generosity.
The Finale: A Celebration of Siblings
The five-day festival concludes with a day dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters, though it goes by many names. In most of North India, it is known as Bhai Dooj. The tradition is rooted in the story of Yama, the god of death, visiting his sister, the river goddess Yamuna. She welcomed him with a tilak on his forehead, and he declared that any brother who receives a tilak from his sister on this day will be granted a long life. In West Bengal, the festival is called Bhai Phonta, where sisters fast and apply a special mark made of sandalwood paste and kajal on their brothers' foreheads while chanting a mantra for their longevity. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, it is known as Bhau Beej, where 'Bhau' means brother and 'Beej' refers to the second day of any lunar fortnight. In South India, it's often called Yama Dwitiya, directly referencing the mythological siblings. While the names and specific rituals change, the core sentiment of sibling love remains constant, providing a unified theme to the end of a diverse festival.
